House of Rock Mural

In front of you is the House of Rock Mural, a large and colorful fresco that turns this wall into a real open-air gallery. Take a moment to look at the faces. You’ll probably recognize several legends of music: David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Amy Winehouse and many others appear together here, like a wall of fame dedicated to rock and pop. The artwork was created in 2008 by the Basel-based artist collective Art4000, at the request of the bar L’Unique House of Rock located just across the street. The idea was simple: to pay tribute to the artists who shaped the history of modern music and to create a lively place, accessible to everyone, right here in the street. Since then, the mural has continued to evolve. New portraits have been added over the years, giving it a constantly changing look. Each visit can bring a surprise, with a face you may not have noticed before or an artist who has recently appeared. In the middle of this small historic alley, the mural adds a modern and spontaneous touch, reminding visitors that Basel is also a city open to creativity and contemporary culture.