Top 10 Historic Sites in Canton of Basel, Canton of Basel

Housed in the Barfüsserkirche since 1894, Basel Historical Museum presents selected aspects of the history of Basel from prehistoric times to the present. Especially worthy of note here are the works of pre-Reformation sacred art such as the Basel Dance of Death and Basel Cathedral Treasury. The section called «Understanding the World» installed in the basement comprises a magnificent array of medieval tapestries with their fantasy worlds and scenes of real life, the Renaissance and Baroque collections grouped together in one «Great Cabinet of Curiosities», and Basel’s rich archaeological heritage. Among the other highlights here are the coin cabinet and Burgundian Booty.

Haus zum Kirschgarten was built for the silk ribbon manufacturer and army colonel Johann Rudolf Burckhardt between 1775 and 1780. The architect Johann Ulrich Buchel designed a mansion worthy of his client's wealth and status which is also a tour de force of early Neoclassical style, influenced in part by Masonic concepts. The mansion has been a museum of domestic culture since 1951. Most of the interior is devoted to eighteenth- and nineteenth-century period rooms formerly inhabited by Basel’s affluent bourgeoisie. But the museum also houses several special collections and hosts mini-exhibitions, such as that on Sheikh Ibrahim.

The Roman town only a stone’s throw from Basel in SwitzerlandAn outing for the whole family that offers much and costs little.The imposing Roman theatre, the authentic Roman villa, the mysterious well shaft, the biggest silver treasure of late antiquity, accessible sewer tunnels and the winsome animals in the animal park are only a few of the attractions that you should not miss.Off to roman times!

Approximately 1200 years ago the bishop commissioned the construction of the oldest Basel cathedral known archaeologically. The foundations of the outer crypt associated with the cathedral can still be seen today. The information point below the Pfalz can be accessed using the archaeology key (available from the kiosk in Basel Cathedral). Tip: Make an archaeological tour in Basel: The free audio guide app ,,Archaeo Tour" shows you around original sites from the Celtic, Roman and medieval periods of Basel's history.