Rathaus Basel

The red façade of the Rathaus Basel that sits squarely on the city’s central market square is hard to miss. Obviously the tower is the focal point, but the colorful and whimsical paintings on the front also stand out.

The town hall of Basel, which is an architectural masterpiece from the outside, plays a defining role in the overall scene on the market square. It’s well worth it to make your way through one of the three huge gates. A lovely inner courtyard and charming arcades may be found inside. During posted business hours, entrance is free of charge.

The council rooms, the inner courtyard, the romantic arcades, and the tower make the town hall a must-see. After the devastating earthquake, this structure was erected to serve as the new government center. Basel’s front building was rebuilt with a more emblematic structure after the city joined the Confederation.

The battlements were adorned with the coats of arms of the 12 countries that made up the Confederation at the time the canton joined it. As part of the town hall’s expansion at the turn of the 17th century, artist Hans Bock painted a series of stylized facades to give the building an imposing appearance. The tower on the right and the wing on the far left were added around 1900.