Taking in the view at Basel cathedral

Overview

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Basler Münster
Münsterplatz 9
4051 Basel
Phone +41 (0)61 272 91 57
baslermuenster.ch

Intro

After a 250-step climb up either the St George’s or St Martin’s tower of Basel’s cathedral, visitors can enjoy a spectacular view of the city and surrounding area.

In circa 1200, the cathedral had five towers, but three collapsed during the Basel earthquake of 18 October 1356. Only the two towers on the facade were rebuilt: to the left, St George’s tower (in 1428) and to the right, St Martin’s tower (in 1500). St George’s tower is 67.30 metres high, and St Martin’s tower 65.50 metres.

A striking feature of the cathedral is its red colour, which is visible from far away. It is a red sandstone, which was used for construction and originated a short distance up the Rhine from Degerfelden and Wiesental across the German border. Both the outer structure and the interior combine Late Roman and Gothic elements. While the facade has a Gothic appearance, the Late Roman influence is discernible on the transept, choir and in the interior.

The Middle Ages saw the consecration of the Basel cathedral as an episcopal church of the Bishopric of Basel and Mary, the Mother of God, and to the Ottonian Emperor Henry II. It has served as the main church of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Basel-Stadt since the Reformation (1529).

Visitors can take a short tour each Saturday from 2 until 2:30 p.m. and hear further surprising anecdotes from the history of the Basel cathedral.