Switzerland - Basel, town hall

When Basel joined the Swiss Confederation in 1501, the city wished to express this important step with a visible gesture. The Cantonal Parliament decided to replace the old town hall with a grander and more representative building in 1503. No expense was to be spared to underline Basel’s new importance. Between 1504 and 1514 - after the great earthquake - a new town hall was constructed. The oldest part consists of three pointed arcades, above which the richly decorated Legislature Hall is located. The coats of arms of Basel and the 11 other members of the then Confederation adorn the crenellations. The inner courtyard has playful frescoes (PiP 1).

Due to the continuous growth of the city, the town hall was expanded several times. The last expansion - 1899 -1901 - were the tower at the right and the block-shaped administrative building with an elaborately decorated bay window (PiP 2).

The town hall became its present characteristic façade at the Marktplatz in the middle of the centre of Basel. It is still the seat of the Basel government and its parliament.