Basel Minster

Basel Cathedral

The Basel audio-guided tour invites you to quiet contemplation before the cathedral, one of the strongest symbols of the city. Recognisable by its pink sandstone and its two slightly asymmetrical towers, it has dominated the Rhine for nearly a thousand years.

A thousand years of history

Built from 1019, the cathedral evolved over nearly five centuries, mingling Romanesque and Gothic styles, notably after the great earthquake of 1356 that imposed its reconstruction. It occupies a very old site, inhabited since Roman times, and played an important role in the religious history of Basel, becoming Protestant during the Reformation in 1529. Within it rests Erasmus of Rotterdam, a major figure of the Renaissance and of humanism. The cathedral remains the spiritual and historical heart of the city.

What there is to see

Inside, in contemplation, the visitor discovers a vast Romanesque and Gothic vessel, its carved capitals and the tomb of Erasmus. Just behind the building, the Pfalz terrace offers one of the finest viewpoints over the Rhine and the old town. The cathedral, its towers and its cloister compose an ensemble of great dignity, to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

Basel Cathedral stands on the Münsterplatz, dominating the Rhine. A place of worship, it can generally be visited during the day, with respect for silence and services, the hours possibly varying according to the season. Access to the nave is on the level; the Pfalz terrace, very close, can be contemplated freely.

When was Basel Cathedral built?

From 1019; it evolved over nearly five centuries, mingling Romanesque and Gothic, and was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1356.

Who rests in Basel Cathedral?

Erasmus of Rotterdam, a major figure of the Renaissance and of humanism, is buried there.