When touring the historical center of Basel, one cannot not take a look at the cathedral. I still remember it from 8 years ago, and it impresses me again like it did the first time. Our timing is good as well: we spend the hottest hours around noon in the cool church and atop the towers where the wind alleviates the heat.
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In view of Basel cathedral. The red sandstone from which it is constructed gives it a peculiar look. Next to the main portal there are statues of saint George killing the dragon and Saint Martin.
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The main portal of the cathedral features statues of the benefactors of the church, emperor Henry II and his wife Kunigunde to the left, and statues of a seducer and misguided virgin to the right (more on this theme in a future blog post about my stay at Strasbourg). This arrangement has the double purpose of prominently displaying the benefactors and contrasting a virtuous with a corrupt couple, teaching a moral lesson.
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Saint George slaying the dragon. To the right is the statue of empress Kunigunde on the main portal.
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The cathedral square is huge and features some nice timber-framed houses. Some trees provide much needed shade.
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Another view at the cathedral. You can see the spiral staircases via which the towers can be ascended.
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The northern portal of the cathedral is nicely decorated too and features an impressive bronze door.
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This shot shows the rich decorations of the northern portal in detail. The two man are the evangelists Marcus and Lukas, depicted with their associated animals: a lion and a bull, respectively.
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The eastern side of the cathedral features nice decorations too, like these corbels depicting different heads.
One thing I like very much about the cathedral is the cloister, which visitors can enter.
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A view of the cloister.
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At this time of year the cloister is very green.
The inside of the church is rather austere compared to other churches (it is a protestant church nowadays after all), but I find it still beautiful and calming. And still, there are many small details to admire.
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The inside of Basel cathedral. The modern organ fits nicely in my opinion.
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This capital shows a knight fighting a dragon and trying to rescue a comrade who is half in the dragons mouth.
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Stained glass window depicting the last supper and crucifixion.
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Detail from another capital. The man doesn't look too happy.
I especially like the wooden carvings of the choir stalls.
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A mermaid.
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A fighting scene.
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Hybrid creatures with music instruments.
We also visited the crypt, where we enjoyed the coolness and learned about the buildings history via a multimedia presentation.
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Adoration of the magi, ceiling painting in the crypt of Basel cathedral.
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Animals, humans and hybrid creatures on a frieze in the crypt of Basel cathedral.
After having explored the inside of the cathedral, we ascend the towers. We first climb trough the roof beams and admire one of the bronze bells.
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One can view this impressive church bell up close when ascending the towers.
We then first reach the platform connecting both towers and ascend first one, then the other. It is amazing to see the Gothic architecture up close. Also, the view is very nice.
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View across the cloister on the Rhine and Basel. The white towers on the mid-left side are the seat of Roche Holding, the world's biggest pharmaceutical company.
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View from Saint Martins tower to Saint Georges tower. To the left is the tower of the townhall. Also note the gargoyles.
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The roof of the cathedral is beautiful. You can also take a close look at the gargoyles. On the left you see the groove for the rainwater on the top side of the gargoyle.
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We are pretty high up now.
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This element features sculptures of a racoon and a mouse between the architectural elements. It is modern, from 2006. It seems the current workers at the church masons guild picked up some of the playfulness of their Medieval predecessors. This is pretty much the highest point of the tower.
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This gargoyle has the shape of a dragon and is from around 1420. 3D-printed copies of this one and three other gargoyles are sold as fridge magnets at the cathedral. Now a dragon is decorating our fridge at home.
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Another nice view of the city from the cathedral towers.
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A hybrid creature atop one of the towers ...
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... and an angel.
After our visit we walk through the historical center some more. In the evening we return to the cathedral and listen to an organ and flute concert. The association "Orgelkonzerte im Basler Münster" organizes these concerts and makes them available for free. It is a great experience and well worth a donation.
Next day the friend who joined me at Innsbruck needs to return there in the late afternoon. We decide to visit the Jean Tinguely museum, since it's pretty special. And we also want to swim in the Rhine, the starting point of which is located on a beach next to the museum (you put your belongings into a waterproof bag and then swim and/or let yourself be carried by the current down the Rhine, swimming by the historical center).
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Dance of death in the Jean Tinguely museum.
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One room in the museum is dedicated to some very big works of the artist.
One thing I found interesting is a draft for the fountain I filmed in the historical center of Basel (see my previous post).
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Draft for the Fastnachtsbrunnen at Basel by Jean Tinguely.
After having visited the museum we swim back to the apartment and have coffee and cake before my friend leaves to catch her train. I stay one more night and enjoy the view from the balcony a little longer. Next day my hostess and I depart for Colmar, which we visit together before I continue my travel alone.
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Watching the sunset from the balcony of the apartment.
As part of my vacation I visit friends in Basel. We tour the city, ascend the cathedral and even swim in the Rhine. We also make a boat tour to Rheinfelden and visit the brewery there.
End of April there was a wine tasting at Rust am Neusiedler See, the so-called "Ruster Weinschätze". I meet some friends there and taste some excellent wines. Because I travel publicly from Vienna, I make a stop at Eisenstadt and stroll though the historical center. I also visit Esterházy palace.
Last weekend I decided to cross a few things off my places-to-visit list. I decided for the theme of the middle ages and paid a visit to the inner city.
