On your right, the large building you see here is the former Hauptpost, Basel’s main post office. Its history goes back a long way, as the original structure was built between 1376 and 1378 as a commercial warehouse, at a time when this area was already an important center of trade. The building actually stands above the Birsig, a small river that now flows through a canal beneath the old town. In 1853, it became Basel’s central post office and remained so for nearly 170 years. During that time, thousands of letters and parcels passed through these walls, making this place an important hub of everyday life. Postal services eventually closed here in 2021, making way for a major redevelopment project. The building is currently being renovated by the Basel-based architects Herzog and de Meuron, known worldwide, with the aim of preserving its history while adapting it to modern uses. In the future, it will host shops, restaurants, offices and a public passage linking Freie Strasse with Gerbergasse. It’s a good example of how Basel brings together medieval heritage and contemporary architecture, giving new life to historic places right in the heart of the city.