Basel is the last Swiss city on the Rhine, and is about 380 kilometers downstream from the source of the Rhine in the Swiss Alps. Below Basel the Rhine leaves Switzerland, flowing north, and for the next 170 kilometers it forms the border between France and Germany. The distance along Read More …
Barfüsserplatz is a central square in Basel, named after the Barfüsser order of monks. The German word barfuß (or barfuss, as the Swiss spell it) means barefoot, and the barefoot monks were called that because at first they weren’t allowed to wear shoes, only sandals. This must have been when Read More …
Before the old Basel Theater was blown up in 1975, parts of the old stage machinery were salvaged and given to the artist Jean Tinguely (1925-1991), who spent two years recycling this old machinery and making it into an elaborate and entertaining fountain, the Fasnachtbrunnen or Carnival Fountain, on the Read More …
Up to now I have seen opera performances in four Swiss cities — Zürich, Bern, Geneva and Lausanne — but never in Basel, even though their opera company has an excellent reputation and I know several people who have sung or conducted there. I suppose the reason is that Basel Read More …