Church of Saint Leonard, Gothic church near Barfüsserplatz, Basel, Switzerland
Saint Leonard's Church stands on raised ground in central Basel with a bell tower and three naves arranged in a hall church layout. Beneath the main structure lies the original crypt from 1080, which contains medieval wall paintings and remains of the earlier Romanesque building.
A major earthquake struck Basel in 1356 and destroyed the original Romanesque building, leading to reconstruction that lasted from 1360 to 1521. During this long rebuild period, the structure was gradually transformed from a Romanesque basilica into the Gothic form we see today.
The French Reformed congregation still holds services here, and the building serves as a living monument to centuries of religious practice and community gatherings. The preservation of medieval wall paintings inside the crypt connects today's visitors directly to the faith and artistry of people who worshipped here long ago.
Visitors can access the medieval crypt beneath the building to see wall paintings and historical graves from centuries past. Plan your visit by starting with the main church level above before descending to explore the older layers below, which helps you understand the building's full history.
The crypt below still holds medieval wall paintings created by craftspeople in the 11th century, showing how believers decorated their sacred spaces long ago. These artworks remain largely hidden from plain sight, making a descent into the underground chambers a direct encounter with authentic medieval craftsmanship.
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