Basel: Switzerland ’s secret cultural gem on the Rhine

The colorful clock and facade of Basel's Town Hall
(Courtesy: pxhere)

BASEL, SWITZERLAND – When you think of the great cultural centers of Europe, the cities that first come to mind are likely to be Paris, Rome, Madrid or London.  Most Americans probably wouldn’t even consider Basel, Switzerland, but they should.

Basel has long thrived as an artistic hub and one of the finest cultural destinations in Europe. Now American travelers are beginning to discover what Europeans have known for centuries.

The cathedral overlooks
the Rhine
(Courtesy: pxhere)

Situated at the confluence of Switzerland, Germany and France along the banks of the Rhine River, Basel is the gateway to the Upper Rhine Valley, a region that is rapidly growing in popularity.

Basel’s cultural heritage is deep and rich. Swiss democracy traces its roots more than seven hundred years to the 13th century when three cantons unified to become the Confœderatio Helvetica (Latin) or Swiss Confederation.

This strong democratic heritage eventually led Basel to open the first public art museum in the world and later become the first city in the world ever to hold a public referendum for the purchase of art.

Today, with more than forty first-rate museums, there are statistically more high quality museums in Basel than any other city its size in the world.

Basel's Fine Arts Museum is one of the best in the world

(Courtesy: mySwitzerland.com)

The Uffizi Gallery in Florence and the Prado in Madrid or the Louvre may be better known but, Basel’s Kunstmuseum (Fine Arts Museum) often surprises visitors with the depth of its collections including Holbein, Hodler, Picasso, Giacometti, Monet and Klee to mention a few of its artistic masters.

Among other exhibitions throughout the city visitors will find a doll museum, a toy museum, a printing museum, a contemporary art museum, the Jean Tinguely Museum and the ErnstBeyeler Foundation

Beyeler Foundation, Basel
(Courtesy: my Switzerland.com)

Native son Ernst Beyeler, who died in 2010, became world famous as a collector and was instrumental in beginning an International Arts Fair in Basel over half a century ago. The art fair is now acclaimed as being one of the best in Europe.

Beyeler’s own museum, which took years for him to find the ideal location, features 20th century art containing works from his private collection plus traveling exhibitions as well.

Jean Tinguely’s Museum filled with all manner of whimsical gadgets and contraptions made from scrap metal is a delight. Tinguely was also a Baseler and his museum was designed by world-renowned Swiss architect Mario Botta.

Jean Tinguely's whimsical fountain is a favorite
(Courtesy: mySwitzerland.com)

You can view Tinguely’s work at his fountain in the center of Basel. The nonsensical machines are captivating and, in winter when the water freezes they become amusing little ice sculptures.

If you visit Basel in winter for the Christmas

Market, the local tourist office can arrange a fondu dinner on a boat on the Rhine for up to twelve participants.

Johann Wanner,
proprietor Christmashaus
(Photo: peabod)

Don’t miss Johann Wanner’s Christmashouse shops featuring every sort of Christmas decoration imaginable. Wanner is the world’s largest manufacturer of handmade Christmas decorations and his year-round collection includes Faberge eggs, cuckoo clocks, miniature figurines, ceramic and wreaths.

Christmas year-round
(Photo: peabod)

The larger collection, Weihnachtshaus, is located at Spalenberg 14, while a second shop featuring a lovely café, Weihnachtsstuben and Weihnachtkaffee, is just down the street about two minutes away at Schneidergasse 7) (*Note: The website is written in German)

      

Stay at the Art Hotel Teufelhof which means Devil’s House when translated. This delightful three-star gem was the fulfillment of a dream in 1989 by Monica and Dominique Thommy-Kneschaurek. Hotel Teufelhof even has its own theater for the performing arts.

Der Teufelhof, Art Hotel Devil's is funky and unigue
(Photo: peabod)

Each room in this quaint nine-room hideaway is created by a different artist who is allowed a maximum of one month to complete his or her room design. Rooms are redone roughly every two years.

Rates range from $195 to $705 for a double or from $165 to $630 for a single. All rooms are non-smoking rooms andinclude breakfast buffet, VAT, taxes and service charge. 

Augusta Raurica has Roman ruins just outside of Basel
(Photo: peabod)

Basel is easily reached in an hour by train from Zurich, and if you don’t believe Baselers are passionate about their cultural heritage, just wait five minutes and you'll have no doubt.