St. Margarethen, Hill in Basel-Landschaft, Switzerland

St. Margarethen is a recreational area spanning a roughly 500-meter-wide ridge of the Bruderholz plateau with parks, sports facilities, and natural spaces. The site sits at approximately 320 meters elevation and offers a mix of structured amenities and open green areas.

The territory became part of Basel-Stadt in 1894, while Margarethenpark was established in 1823 as an English garden with a country house designed by Karl Burckhardt-Thurneysen. This garden layout remains an important feature of the landscape today.

Legend holds that St. Margarethen is named after Margarethe, one of three sisters who each built a church on a hill near Basel within sight of the others. From the hilltop the churches of St. Ottilien in Tüllingen, Germany, and St. Chrischona above Bettingen can be seen.

The area includes an ice rink, Sonnenbad bathing facility, and winter sledding slopes on the Margretehügel. It is wise to dress for changing weather, as the open spaces can be quite exposed to wind.

The hill's local name, Margretehügel, refers to the northwestern tip at 310 m, where the former monastery church stands; in winter this slope is used for sledding. In 1892 and 1901 large spectator stands were built there for Hans Huber's Basel festival performances, facing the stage on the neighbouring Pruntrutermatte.