Architecture Tour
Meeting place: Tinguely Fountain, Theaterplatz
End: Rathaus, Marktplatz
Meeting place: Tinguely Fountain, Theaterplatz
End: Rathaus, Marktplatz
* For questions / comments during the tour, see end of page
ITINERARY
Bird's-eye-view of Basel, Matthäus Merian, 1615
Bird's-eye-view of Basel, Matthäus Merian, 1615, detail
..........................................................................................
QUESTIONS / COMMENTS
..........................................................................................
- What is shown on the middle panel of the terracotta frieze of the MUSEUM building on Augustinergasse?
The middle panel shows BASILEA with a mural crown, a shield with the Baselstab and cornucopia, lion at her feet symbolises the power of the city; on her left are old man river (Rhein, steam, industry) and Hermes / Mercury (god of trade), on the other side is Helvetia; allegories / angels of freedom frame the whole scene.
The middle panel shows BASILEA with a mural crown, a shield with the Baselstab and cornucopia, lion at her feet symbolises the power of the city; on her left are old man river (Rhein, steam, industry) and Hermes / Mercury (god of trade), on the other side is Helvetia; allegories / angels of freedom frame the whole scene.
..........................................................................................
- What is the story of the judge depicted on one of the murals in the RATHAUS courtyard?
Sisamnes was a corrupt judge who had accepted a bribe and was flayed alive as a punishment; his son was appointed a new judge who was to make judicial decisions from a chair upholstered with his father’s skin. Story about judicial integrity.
..........................................................................................
- Neo-Baroque house on RITTERGASSE 11 - what was here before?
Not sure, but the name of the house - "Zum Ulrichsgärtlein" - indicates that here might have been the garden of St.Ulrich's chapel which was demolished in the 19th c. The stately villa was designed by architect Emanuel La Roche and was built in 1899 for the schappe silk industrialist Wilhelm Alioth-Vischer, in the style of the nearby 18th c. Baroque residences (e.g., 1760 "Haus zum Delphin" on Rittergasse 10). Today, the historically furnished rooms house the Basel-Stadt civil registry office.
..........................................................................................
- Where did Theodor Herzl convene the First Zionist Congress?
In the Musiksaal of the STADTCASINO, i.e., in the concert hall of the Stadtcasino recently renovated and extended by Herzog&deMeuron. In 1897.
- Where did Theodor Herzl convene the First Zionist Congress?
In the Musiksaal of the STADTCASINO, i.e., in the concert hall of the Stadtcasino recently renovated and extended by Herzog&deMeuron. In 1897.
..........................................................................................
- Boris Johnson's great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandmother was buried inside the BAFRÜSSERKIRCHE. Yes, you're right! www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42805485
..........................................................................................