Basel facts for kids

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Basel

Municipality

Rhine with Middle Bridge in background

Old building of the University of Basel (below)

Basel Minster

Roche Tower

Panorama with Rhine, Messeturm, Roche Tower, and Wettsteinbrücke

Flag	Coat of arms

Basel

Location in Switzerland

Basel

Location in Canton of Basel-Stadt

Country

Switzerland

Canton

Basel-Stadt

Area

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• Total

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Elevation

(Barfüsserkirche)

261 m (856 ft)

Highest elevation

(Wasserturm Bruderholz)

366 m (1,201 ft)

Lowest elevation

(Rhine shore, national border at Kleinhüningen)

244.75 m (802.99 ft)

Population

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• Total

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Demonyms

German: Basler(in), French: Bâlois(e), Italian: Basilese

Time zone

UTC+01:00 (Central European Time)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+02:00 (Central European Summer Time)

Postal code(s)

4000

SFOS number

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Surrounded by

Allschwil (BL), Hégenheim (FR-68), Binningen (BL), Birsfelden (BL), Bottmingen (BL), Huningue (FR-68), Münchenstein (BL), Muttenz (BL), Reinach (BL), Riehen (BS), Saint-Louis (FR-68), Weil am Rhein (DE-BW)

Website

SFSO statistics

Basel is a lively city in northwestern Switzerland. It sits right on the Rhine River. Basel is Switzerland's third-largest city. About 177,595 people live there. The main language spoken is a local German dialect.

Many people think Basel is Switzerland's cultural capital. It has lots of amazing museums. One of them is the Kunstmuseum Basel. It's the world's first public art collection, started in 1661. Basel has about 40 museums. This makes it a huge cultural center for its size.

The University of Basel is Switzerland's oldest university. It was founded way back in 1460. Famous thinkers like Erasmus of Rotterdam and Friedrich Nietzsche taught there. Basel has always been a safe place for important people.

Basel has been a major trading and cultural center for centuries. In the 20th century, it became a hub for chemical and medicine companies. Big companies like Novartis and Roche have their main offices here.

Basel is also known for international events. It hosted the first World Zionist Congress in 1897. The city is home to the Bank for International Settlements. This bank is like a bank for other central banks around the world. Basel is often ranked as one of the most livable cities.

What's in a Name?

The name Basel first appeared around the year 237. It was called Basilia then. This name likely came from a person's name, Basilius. Or it might have meant "Basilius's estate."

A popular story connects Basel with the basilisk. This is a mythical creature. It looks like a dragon or snake. The basilisk has been a symbol of the city since 1448. You can see it on old coins and decorations.

Basel's Story Through Time

Early Days and Roman Times

People lived near the Rhine River in Basel a very long time ago. This was around 500 BC. Later, the Romans built a fort here. This fort was on the spot where the Basel Minster stands today.

In the 4th century, Germanic groups tried to cross the Rhine. But the Romans pushed them back. Eventually, in 406 AD, the Alemanni people crossed the river. They settled in this area.

Basel grew slowly around the old Roman fort. By the 7th century, it became more important. A special bishopric (church area) was set up in Basel. The first big church, a cathedral, was built around 800 AD.

In 917, the city was destroyed by invaders. But it was rebuilt. Basel then became part of the Holy Roman Empire in 1032.

Basel's Prince-Bishops and Growth

From 999 AD, Basel was ruled by Prince-Bishops. These were church leaders who also acted as rulers.

In 1019, work began on the Basel Minster. This beautiful cathedral took many years to build.

Basel slowly grew into a medieval city. Its main market square was first mentioned in 1091. Around 1100, the first city walls were built. In 1225, the first bridge across the Rhine was built. This was the first permanent bridge over the Rhine between Lake Constance and the sea. The city became very busy with trade.

Over time, the people of Basel wanted more freedom. They started to gain independence from the bishops. In 1348, the Black Death arrived. Sadly, some people blamed the Jewish community. Many Jewish people were killed in 1349. In 1356, a big earthquake destroyed much of the city. But Basel was rebuilt.

The city's symbol, the Baselstab, first appeared in the 12th century. It's a special staff used by bishops. The black Baselstab became the city's coat of arms in 1385.

In 1459, Pope Pius II helped create the University of Basel. This made Basel an important place for learning. The new skill of printing books also came to Basel around this time.

Joining the Swiss Confederacy

Basel stayed neutral during a war in 1499. After the war, Basel joined the Swiss Confederation in 1501. It was the eleventh canton to join. Basel was important because of its location and trade.

In 1529, Basel became a Protestant city. The bishop's seat moved away. But the bishop's staff remained the city's symbol.

Many famous people lived or worked in Basel during this time. John Calvin published his important book on Protestant ideas here in 1536. In 1543, the first book on human anatomy was printed in Basel.

In 1661, Basel bought a huge collection of art and artifacts. This collection became the first public art museum in the world. Famous mathematicians like the Bernoulli family and Leonhard Euler were also from Basel.

Modern Basel

In 1833, the countryside around Basel separated. It formed its own half-canton, Basel-Landschaft. The city walls were taken down between 1861 and 1878.

Switzerland's first zoo, Zoo Basel, opened in 1874. In 1897, the first World Zionist Congress was held in Basel. This important meeting happened in Basel ten times.

In 1967, something special happened. The people of Basel voted to buy three paintings by Pablo Picasso. They were at risk of being sold away. Picasso was so touched that he gave the city three more paintings!

Basel has often been a place for important international meetings. Peace treaties have been signed here. The Basel Convention was created here in 1989. It helps stop harmful waste from being sent to poorer countries.

Where is Basel?

Location and Surroundings

Basel is in the northwest of Switzerland. It's right where the borders of Switzerland, France, and Germany meet. Basel even has suburbs in France and Germany.

The Basel area is the third largest in Switzerland. It includes many towns in Switzerland and neighboring countries.

Land and Climate

Basel covers about 23.91 square kilometers. A large part of the city is built up with buildings and roads. There are also forests and green areas. The Rhine River flows through the city.

Basel has an oceanic climate. This means it has cool, cloudy winters. Summers are warm and humid. It rains or snows about 118 days a year. The city gets about 842 millimeters of rain each year.

People of Basel

Population and Languages

The canton of Basel has over 201,971 people. About 36.9% of them are foreign nationals. Many people from Germany, Italy, and Turkey live here.

Most people in Basel speak German. Italian is the second most common language. French is the third.

Religions

In Basel, many people are Roman Catholic or belong to the Swiss Reformed Church. There are also members of Orthodox churches and other Christian groups. A good number of people are Muslim or Jewish. Many people in Basel do not belong to any church.

Getting Around Basel

City Areas

Basel is divided into 19 areas called Quartiere. The towns of Riehen and Bettingen are also part of the Basel-Stadt canton.

Travel and Transport

Basel is a major transport hub. Goods arrive by ship on the Rhine River. The city has Switzerland's only cargo port.

Air Travel

The EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg serves Basel. It's unique because it's run by both France and Switzerland. The airport is actually in France.

Trains

Basel is a very important train city. It has three train stations. These serve the German, French, and Swiss rail networks. High-speed trains connect Basel to cities like Paris.

Roads and Bridges

Basel is on the A3 motorway. Five bridges cross the Rhine River in the city. They connect the two parts of Basel. The Mittlere Rheinbrücke was the first bridge to cross the Rhine, built in 1225.

Ferries

There are also old-fashioned ferry boats that cross the Rhine. They are pulled by cables and use the river's current to move. This means they don't need any outside power!

Public Transport

Basel has a great public transport system. It has a large tram network. The green trams and buses are run by BVB. Yellow buses and trams connect to nearby towns. There are also commuter trains.

Border Crossings

Basel is right at the border where France, Germany, and Switzerland meet. There are many roads and train lines that cross these borders. Even though Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area, customs checks still happen.

Basel's Economy

Basel is a very active economic region in Switzerland. Many people work in the service industry.

Basel is a global center for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Big companies like Novartis and Roche are based here. There are also many smaller biotech companies.

Banking and Finance

Banking is also very important in Basel. The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) is located here. It's known as the "central banker's bank." The Basel Accords are international rules for banks that were created here.

Media and Trade Fairs

Basel has local newspapers and a TV station. It's also home to important trade shows. Art Basel is the world's biggest fair for modern art. Baselworld is a huge watch and jewelry show.

Learning in Basel

Universities

Basel is home to Switzerland's oldest university, the University of Basel. It started in 1460. Many famous scientists and thinkers have studied or taught there. Today, it's one of the top universities in the world.

The ETH Zurich also has a department in Basel. It focuses on biosystems science and engineering. Basel also has several other schools for art, music, and business.

Schools for Kids

Basel has many schools for children. Most students go to public schools. Many students speak a language other than German at home.

There are also five public high schools, called gymnasiums. They prepare students for university. Basel also has international schools for students from different countries.

Libraries

Basel has many libraries, over 65 of them! The main university library is one of the largest. These libraries have millions of books and other media.

Culture and Fun in Basel

Main Sights to See

The Basel Minster is a beautiful church made of red sandstone. It was built between the 14th and 15th centuries. The City Hall, from the 16th century, is also very impressive. It has colorful paintings on its walls.

Basel also has many modern buildings. Famous architects like Renzo Piano and Herzog & de Meuron have designed buildings here.

Important Buildings and Places

Basel has many important historical sites. These include the entire Old Town. Some other famous places are:

The Basel Minster (cathedral)
The Elisabethenkirche (church)
The Basel SBB railway station (train station)
The Bank for International Settlements building
The Basel Paper Mill (museum)
The Markgräflerhof (a former palace)
The Mittlere Rhein Brücke (Central Rhine Bridge)
The Rathaus (town hall)
The Spalentor (old city gate)
The Zoo Basel

Museums and Collections

Basel is known as the "Cultural Capital of Switzerland." It has over 30 museums! They attract more than a million visitors every year. Basel's public art collection is the oldest in Europe.

Some of the cool museums include:

Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig (Ancient Art Museum)
Augusta Raurica (Roman open-air museum)
Basel Paper Mill (about paper making)
Beyeler Foundation (modern art museum)
Caricature & Cartoon Museum Basel (funny drawings)
Dollhouse Museum (largest teddy bear collection in Europe)
Historical Museum Basel
Kunstmuseum Basel (Art Museum, with very old and new art)
Museum of Cultures Basel (about different cultures)
Museum of Contemporary Art
Music Museum
Natural History Museum of Basel (about nature)
Tinguely Museum (about the artist Jean Tinguely)
Jewish Museum of Switzerland

Theatre and Music

Basel is home to the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. It's a world center for old music. The Theater Basel offers plays, opera, and ballet. Basel also has Switzerland's largest orchestra, the Sinfonieorchester Basel.

In 2025, Basel will host the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. This is a big international music competition!

Fun Events

Basel hosts many exciting events all year. Art Basel is a huge fair for modern art. Baselworld is a big show for watches and jewelry.

The Basler Fasnacht is a major cultural event. It's the biggest carnival in Switzerland. It starts very early on a Monday morning in winter. People wear amazing masks and carry lanterns. The party lasts for 72 hours!

The Basel Tattoo is a huge military music show. It's the second largest in the world. It features amazing performances by military bands.

Tasty Food

Basel has its own special treats. These include Basler Läckerli cookies and Mässmogge candies. Because Basel is near France and Germany, it has a wide variety of restaurants.

Zoo Basel

Zoo Basel is the most visited tourist spot in Basel. It's the second most visited in all of Switzerland. Over 1.7 million people visit each year.

The zoo opened in 1874. It's the oldest zoo in Switzerland. It has had many successes in breeding animals. Forbes Travel even called it one of the top fifteen zoos in the world. Locals lovingly call it "Zolli."

Sports in Basel

Basel is known for its successful sports teams. The football club FC Basel is very popular. Basel was one of the host cities for the UEFA Euro 2008 football championships.

Ice hockey is also popular. The EHC Basel team plays in the third-highest league. Basel has a large football stadium and an ice hockey arena.

Every October, Basel hosts a big indoor tennis event. The Swiss Indoors attracts top tennis players. Roger Federer, a famous tennis player, was born in Basel. He calls Basel "one of the most beautiful cities in the world."

Many people enjoy swimming in the Rhine River. The annual Basel Rhine Swim attracts thousands of people.

Basel is also home to the headquarters of the IHF.