Melchior Berri Mailbox

The letterbox of Melchior Berri

The Basel audio-guided tour has you notice, on a façade of the old town, a strange old cast-iron letterbox, adorned with a small white dove holding a letter in its beak. It is one of the discreet symbols of the city.

The "Basler Dybli"

These boxes, called in dialect the "Basler Dybli", were designed between 1843 and 1844 by the architect Melchior Berri, a figure of Swiss neoclassicism and author of several major buildings of the city. The post was then seeking a way to link the quarters to the distribution network, and six decorative boxes were installed at strategic points. In neoclassical style, adorned with the arms of Basel and the messenger dove, they enjoyed immediate success. Berri took up this dove motif to create in 1845 the famous "Basel Dove" stamp, considered the first tricolour stamp in the world.

What there is to see

On the façade, the cast-iron box displays its elegant structure, the arms of Basel and its dove that has become its signature. More than one hundred and eighty years after their installation, six of these historic boxes are still in service, protected as heritage and used daily. It is a charming detail to spot along the walk in the old town.

Practical information

The letterbox of Melchior Berri is on a façade of the old town of Basel. It can be contemplated freely from the street, at all hours and on the level. Still in service, it is part of the protected heritage of the city.

Who designed the "Basler Dybli" letterboxes?

The architect Melchior Berri, between 1843 and 1844; he also created in 1845 the "Basel Dove" stamp.

What does the dove on these boxes symbolise?

The messenger dove, symbol of the mail; it became the signature of the boxes and inspired the first tricolour stamp in the world.