You are standing on Münsterplatz, one of the oldest and most important squares in Basel. This large cobbled space has been the historic heart of the city for centuries. Long before the Middle Ages, the hill was already occupied by Celtic communities and later by the Romans, making this spot a central part of local life for more than two thousand years. During the Middle Ages, the square became Basel’s main market. Goods were sold here, people gathered here, and much of the city’s daily life revolved around this open space. Much of the paving you see today dates back to the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. In 1356, the great earthquake that struck Basel destroyed a large part of this district, leaving the area in ruins before the square was rebuilt. Later, in 1798, during the Helvetic Revolution, a tree of liberty was planted here, symbolizing the political changes of the time. Today, Münsterplatz is surrounded by former canon houses and elegant historic residences that give the square a very harmonious atmosphere. The square is still a lively place and hosts important events such as the Basel Carnival, when the large lanterns are displayed here, as well as the Christmas market in winter. On the other side of the square you will also find the Basler Marionetten Theater, a small puppet theater in the old town. Founded in the twentieth century and set in a former vaulted cellar, it continues a long artistic tradition and presents performances that are part of the city’s cultural life, adding an original touch to this historic neighborhood.