A world of art and light waits for you where the Rhine river makes a sharp turn toward the north. You find yourself in a city of red sandstone cathedrals and ultra modern museums designed by world famous architects. The river is the heart of the city where people swim in the blue water during the hot summer days. The vibe is sophisticated and creative with a focus on high culture and historic trade. The old town of Basel is a maze of narrow alleys and hidden squares that lead to **the grand Minster** on the hill. You can visit the **Kunstmuseum** to see one of the oldest public art collections in the world. The roads connect you easily to the borders of France and Germany in just a few minutes. It is a city of bridges that looks beautiful from every angle. You feel the energy of a global crossroads in the busy market squares. This is a place for walks along the river bank and dinners in old guilds. You can find quirky shops and great coffee in the trendy **Kleinbasel** district across the water. The architecture ranges from medieval gates to the sleek lines of the Roche towers. Basel-Stadt is a small urban space that holds the weight of a grand history. It is a bright and bold start to any journey through the north.

Basel-Stadt (canton) highlights

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History of Basel-Stadt (canton)

The story of Basel-Stadt canton began at a natural harbor where the Rhine makes a sharp turn toward the north. The Celts and later the Romans recognized this as the perfect spot for a crossing. In the Middle Ages the city became a powerful center for European diplomacy. In 1431 a great council brought the most important thinkers and leaders of the world to the city for nearly two decades turning it into a global hub. This concentration of wealth turned the region into a sanctuary for the early printing industry. When the university was founded in 1460 it became the oldest in the country and attracted world famous scholars. The city became a hub for scientific discovery and independent trade. The red sandstone of the **Basel Minster** and the massive city gates stood as symbols of a republic that valued knowledge and the flow of goods along the water. The river trade brought massive riches from the spice and silk routes of the north. This allowed the city to invest in high culture and art long before its neighbors. The local guilds grew so powerful that they eventually took control of the government creating a merchant led state. The history is a tale of how a small river port used the power of the mind and the Rhine to become a global capital of art and science.

Basel-Stadt (canton)