Exhibition

Basel - Culture Unlimited

Tradition-conscious, open-minded and full of contrasts, Basel is regarded as one of Switzerland’s centres for art, music and architecture. Thanks to its central location at the ‘three-countries-corner’ where Switzerland, Germany and France meet, the city on the elbow of the Rhine is also an important centre for fairs and congresses.

Basel is Switzerland’s oldest university city. Historic landmarks of the city include the large market square with its richly decorated red sandstone town hall and the late Romanesque-Gothic cathedral. During a walk through the old town, past small boutiques, antique book shops but also shops of modern designers, a visit to the “Läckerli Huus” to try the traditional Basel honey cake is well worth your while. Basel is tradition-conscious and open-minded at the same time, a fact born out by several modern buildings designed by renowned architects such as Herzog & de Meuron, Mario Botta, Diener & Diener and Richard Meyer.

Almost 40 museums make Basel the city with the highest density of museums in the country. Internationally known museums, such as the Basel Art Museum, the museum devoted to the iron sculptor Jean Tinguely, the Fondation Beyeler and the Museum of Cultures attract a great many visitors, as do several galleries and playhouses. Basel is among other things home to the symphony orchestra and the chamber orchestra as well as the musical theatre featuring international productions. And a wide range of classical and contemporary productions are shown on the stages of the Basel Theatre and the Playhouse.

Basel is a green city. The Botanical Gardens, several parks and the banks of the Rhine are perfect places to relax and linger for a while. And the Etoscha House at the biggest zoo in Switzerland offers spectacular insights into the Namibian Savannah.

At nearby Augusta Raurica near Augst impressive ruins and a great many finds at the museum bear testimony to the busy lives of the Romans in the region in the past. The charming countryside of the Basel region with its many cherry trees in spring boasts a particularly beautiful display of blooms. Germany and France, the Black Forest and Vosges Mountains are only a stone’s throw away from the border city of Basel.

The yearly Fasnacht (Carnival) is the most important celebration for the people of Basel. On the Monday following Ash Wednesday the city rises with the “Morgenstraich”. At four in the morning on the dot all the lights in the city go out and a colourful and brilliant procession through the streets of the city begins.

Varied city of the arts

Basel is a European cultural centre: Almost 40 museums, some of world renown, such as the ‘Fondation Beyeler’ and the ‘Kunstmuseum’, the Basel Theatre stageing plays, operas and ballet, as well as 25 further small theatres, a musical stage, countless galleries, music stages of all sizes and over 40 cinema screens all contribute to a rich cultural life. The city ranks with the European élite in the fine arts, as is demonstrated by its hosting ‘Art Basel’, the world’s leading contemporary art fair.

Thriving business location – innovative research

The Basel area is Switzerland’s second important business centre, and enjoys the country’s fastest rate of economic growth. This success story has been built upon the global achievements of its pharmaceutical and chemical companies, among them two of the world’s top five. In their wake, a whole cluster of life sciences start-ups and spin-offs create a very dynamic economic climate. A number of leading international logistics service providers are also domiciled in this city. Basel is also a successful exhibition and congress city. Architecture and design also play an important part in the city’s thriving economy. And finally, Basel has developed into Switzerland’s second most-important financial and insurance centre, after Zurich. All these factors help underpin Basel’s high standard of living. And last, but not least, research and education play an important role in Basel’s wealth: The city runs excellent schools, one of Europe’s oldest universities and an innovative University of Applied Sciences.

Quality of life and savoir vivre

Here’s to Basel: a beautiful historic Old Town, the river Rhine flowing right through the city, many parks and playgrounds, all clean and safe. There is also a wide range of restaurants and bars, excellent shopping and nearly unlimited leasure opportunities and recreational facilities. Tourists and newcomers appreciate all these advantages as much as the locals. They all enjoy the wonderful quality of life in Basel.

At the heart of Europe, trinational and cosmopolitan

The borders of Switzerland, France and Germany come together at Three Countries Corner in Basel. For this reason, international, cosmopolitan attitudes characterise the city. Basel works closely together with its European Union neighbours Germany and France in the fields of education, culture, transport and the environment. What is more, Basel is an international transport hub: EuroAirport, Rhine ports, rail and road all link the region with Europe and the World.

There is a lot to discover in Basel: For example, you can choose from almost 40 museums. Lovers of the opera, ballet and the theatre will also be happy with the choice of performances to be found. There are many parks and recreation areas, a wide range of restaurants and bars and unlimited shopping – all this in three countries at the same time. So, you see, there are so many options! And Basel may love its traditions, but it is also curious, adventurous and happy to try new things. For example in architecture, as the many modern buildings by renowned international architects prove. They create an interesting contrast to the medieval buildings in the historic old town centre with its many romantic courtyards and winding alleys. People in Basel know how to enjoy life, as can be seen every summer on the banks of the river Rhine, bustling with life. If you long for a more quiet spot, jump on a ferry, a river boat or a tram that will take you out to nature in no time at all.