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Old town, Switzerland, at blue hour. Photo by Roy Egloff.

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Old Town Hall, Switzerland

Basel Old Town is a lovely place to explore the city and learn about its history. Basel Old Town is located on the Rhine River’s Gross Basel and Klein Basel sides. They are connected by the Mittlere Brücke. Many major attractions, such as the City Hall (Rathaus), the Basel Munster Cathedral, and others, are located in Old Town.

Walk down the cobblestone streets, admiring the architecture and houses. Terrace houses are charming and come in a variety of shapes and colors. Boutiques and shops selling all kinds of unusual specialty items line the streets. I recommend taking a FREE guided tour of Old Town to appreciate its history. Plan on walking the streets for about an hour. You will almost certainly return to this location.

1. At certain times, guided tours are available at Old Town Hall

There are only 1 or 2 occasions per week, so you should consider yourself lucky (or plan accordingly – the other option). 

2. The colors in Old Town Hall are stunning

The colors of this Town Hall are also spectacular. The most dominant color is red because it was built with red sandstone, but the colorful frescoes on the walls and some colorful statues round out the list. The most colorful statue in the courtyard is of Augusta Raurica, the founder of the Roman city (about 10 km from Basel).

3. Old town is constructed in Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance styles

Timber framed houses in the old town of Basel, Switzerland. Photo by Pingelig. Wikimedia Commons

Basel Town Hall was built around 500 years ago in the Neo-Gothic and Neo-Renaissance styles (1504-1514). The occasion for constructing this new Town Hall was Basel’s accession to the Swiss Confederation at the time. It still serves as a meeting place for the Cantonal Parliament and the Cantonal Government of Basel-Stadt.

4. Old Town has a wide range of architectural styles

Mittlere Brücke, Rhine bridge in Basel (Switzerland). Photo by W. Bulach.

The Mittlere Brücke, as it now stands, was built in 1905. Its forerunner, on the other hand, had been constructed around 1220. The bridge provides an excellent view of Basel’s skyline and the Basel Cathedral (Munster). For over 800 years, the Cathedral has stood gracefully above the city. Definitely worth seeing! During the Cathedral’s open hours, you can visit the magnificent church and cloisters and climb the 250 steps to the top of the towers – the view is well worth it.

5. The Pfalz is a terrace behind the Cathedral that provides an excellent view

Take a moment to admire the view of Klein Basel, the Rhine, the Black Forest, and the Vosges mountains from there. The Spalentor was one of the eight original city gates that formed part of the outer wall. This gate saw many traders and travelers pass through, as it was located on an important trade route leading to Alsace. This is most likely why it is one of Switzerland’s most beautiful and magnificent city gates.

How fortunate that it has survived the centuries! The magnificent and richly ornamented Town Hall is well worth a visit. The Marktplatz in front is also worth seeing: strolling through the market and sampling their delicacies allows you to immerse yourself in their daily lives.

The St. Alban district, also known as Basel’s “Little Venice,” is one of their most beautiful tourist districts, inviting you to take a leisurely stroll through narrow alleys past ancient houses and mills, never far from the water. Small streams, monastic canals, and, of course, the Rhine – pure romanticism!

6. There are 5 amazing walks through Old Town

Because the many points of interest in Basel’s Old Town are close to one another, walking is the best way to explore it. Five different circular walking tours allow you to discover the Old Town’s hidden nooks and crannies, as well as its history.

The tours take you to the major museums as well as the city’s most beautiful squares. Along the way, you’ll get to see fascinating views from Basel’s hills, as well as learn about the city’s history. All the circular tours begin and end at the Marktplatz (corner of Freie Strasse). Each route is named after a famous Basel son and is labeled with a different color and number.

7. Old town is the birthplace of the world’s most successful brands

First Bucherer shop. Photo by Carlfbucherer.

Carl-Friedrich Bucherer is a successful businessman. Bucherer was founded in 1888. Bucherer has grown to become one of the world’s most successful brands since that time. The current catalog contains approximately 50,000 high-quality and prestigious items, with a strong emphasis on its well-known watches. Rolex, Cartier, Omega, and Chopard are also available.

8. The well-known Blech Schmidt boutique is located in Old Town, Switzerland

Interior of a boutique. Photo by Monkeybusinessimages.

Raphael Blechschmidt is a boutique run by a well-known and well-liked Swiss fashion designer. Raphael Blechschmidt’s work is always on display. His high-quality fabrics and distinctive designs make his line highly sought after and a must-see for fashionistas.

9. In the heart of Old Town, there is a market

People walking through a market. Photo by Christian Lue.

Basel Market, located directly in the city center, is easily the busiest place at any time of year. The market sells a wide range of food, including fruits, vegetables, sweets, cheese, and meat. Basel Market focuses on the production and sale of organic food as part of its ongoing promotion of a healthy lifestyle. During the Christmas season, the market transforms into the most popular winter holiday shopping destination in the country.

10. Old Town, Switzerland, has a well-known watch store

Showcase with wristwatches. Photo by Lilkin.

Chronometrie Spinnler & Schweizer has been selling watches and other jewelry items since 1920. Hans Robert Spinnler and Roger Schweitzer, third generation family owners, lead the company today. In addition to selling famous jewelry, the shop provides visitors with the rare opportunity to observe local watchmakers at work. You could buy a designer watch for yourself or a loved one from the store.