- Address: Münsterplatz, Rittergasse 3,4051 Basel, Schweiz
- Phone: +41 61 277 45 42 - Anne Schmidt-Politz (cathedral guide)
- Website: http://baslermuenster.ch/
- Working hours: 10.00 - 17.00 (Saturday 10.00 - 16.00, Sunday 11.30 - 17.00)
The Basel Cathedral, or Munster, is the most important sight of the city. Medieval towers rise above the river Rhine. The cathedral is made in Romanesque and Gothic styles. For many centuries of reconstruction and destruction, the structure now has two towers of the five original ones.
What should I look for?
The western facade . High tower named after St. George (on the left - the old tower) and a tower just below St. Martin's name (on the right is a new tower). On the tower of St. George there is a sculpture of his battle with the little dragon. In the corners of the upper part of the tower there are sculptures of four Old Testament kings and three wise men. The St. Martin's tower depicts the equestrian statue of a saint who cuts off a piece of a cloak to give to a beggar. In the triangular pediment, there are statues where Maria is sitting with her child, and on the sides of her, Emperor Henry's wife Kunigund (right) and himself (left). Tourists visiting the towers are free (except on holidays).
On the facade, under the tower of St. Martin are two types of watches - solar and mechanical. Solar show an hour more than the mechanical for the so-called "Basel time".
The main portal is crowned with four statues. To the left are two sculptures of Emperor Henry and his wife, and on the right is a sculpture of the devil in the guise of a man and a young virgin whom he wants to seduce (note the devil's back, there are sculptures of snakes and toads). On the bends of the vault above the portal is carved a wickering paradise garden, figures of kings, angels, muses, prophets.
The northern facade . This facade is the main and most famous monument of Swiss church architecture in the Romanesque style. The portal depicts a terrible trial with many details. Above the figurative portal of St. Gall, there is a window in the form of a wheel of fortune with images of people whom fate throws up and down.
South facade . On the facade of the cathedral, closed by the monasteries, there are the sculptures of Mark and Luke. The most important part of the southern facade is the window with the star of David.
The choir . On all the windows on the sides there are sculptures of carved elephants and lions. Palatinate - the most famous observation deck of the city. It offers a beautiful view of the River Rhine and a small part of Basel.
Interior . The interior of the cathedral is represented by late Romanesque style, special attention should be paid to stained-glass windows, beautifully decorated burial places of knights, bishops, Queen Anne and her young son.
Timetable of the Cathedral
- Winter time: Mon-Sat: 11-00 - 16-00; Sun and public holidays: 11-30 - 16-00.
- Daylight saving time: Mon-Fri: 10-00 - 17-00; Sat: 10-0 - 16-00; Sun and public holidays: 11-30 - 17-00.
- The cathedral is closed: on January 1, on Good Friday, December 24.
- December 25 - one can visit the cathedral, but the ascent to the towers is prohibited.
- The monastery is open daily from 8-00 and before dark, but maximum up to 20-00.
How to get there?
In Basel you can come by shuttle bus from any nearest city. From France and the nearby German cities there are both direct and passing buses. Usually, drivers say where it is best to leave to go directly to the Calvinist cathedral.
Moving along Basel is convenient with trams and buses, there are taxi services, but for the tourist it is much more expensive and not so interesting, because the city center is a little more convenient to walk. A significant part of the city, shopping and some interquarter streets were originally pedestrian.
Pay attention to the trams - it's the same landmark of the city as the cathedral. Trams of green color go mainly in the center, and yellow-red - in the young parts of the city. Almost any of the trams crosses the center, the time between flights depends on the time of day and is somewhere around 5-20 minutes. Ideal for trams numbers 3, 6, 8, 11, 15, 16, 17, but keep in mind that routes 17, 21, 11 and 11E only go in the morning and in the evening.
Being in Basel, do not be lazy to visit the famous museums of the city : art , puppet , the museum of Jean Tangli , the museum of cultures , Kunsthalle and many others. other
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