Viewpoint over the Rhine

From here, you have a wide view of the opposite bank of the city and of the Rhine flowing slowly between the two shores. From this vantage point, it becomes clear why the river has always played such a central role in the life and imagination of Basel. For centuries, it has inspired stories that people once shared at dusk. One of the best known tells of the silhouette of a woman dressed in white, whom some claimed to see in the mist, standing motionless near the water. Depending on the version, she is said to be the spirit of a drowned woman, sometimes described as waiting for a lost love, sometimes as a quiet presence watching over the river. On the left stands the historic bridge connecting the two banks, and it too has its own legend. According to the story, building it was so difficult that a pact was made with the devil, who promised his help in exchange for the first soul to cross the bridge. The townspeople are said to have tricked him by sending an animal across first. Furious at being deceived, the devil tried to destroy the bridge with a large rock, but he never managed to do it. Even today, the Rhine remains one of the most beautiful settings in the city. Basel offers several lovely viewpoints along its banks, and it’s especially pleasant to walk along the water, on either side of the river, to enjoy the scenery and the calm atmosphere of the Rhine.