Minster in Basel, Switzerland

See the Romanesque and Gothic Basler Münster Church and Cloisters

Dec 15, 2007 Henk Bekker

The Basler Münster (Minster), a large Romanesque and Gothic church with cloisters and the tomb of Erasmus of Rotterdam is the top historical sight in Basel, Switzerland.

The top historical sight in Basel is the Basler Münster (Minster) that towers over the Rhine Valley and the old town from Münsterberg hill. The church is mostly 14th and 15th-century Gothic but some of its 12th-century Romanesque origins can still be seen.

Romanesque Elements of the Basler Münster

The highly decorative St Gallen portal (Galluspforte) dates from around 1180 and is clearly Romanesque. On the tympanum is a relief of Christ sitting in judgment. Also at this portal are reliefs of the wise and foolish virgins.

The theme of the wise and foolish virgins is from a parable in the Christian Bible’s New Testament (Matthews 25:1-13). Five foolish virgins took lamps without oil while the five wise ones went with oil to await the arrival of the Lord. The lesson is to be prepared for judgment day.

More Romanesque elements can be seen on the eastern side of the church where a large terrace – the Pfalz – offers grand views of the Rhine Valley. From here, on a clear day, the German Black Forest and French Vosges mountain ranges can be seen.

Traveling with children? Let them find the stone sculptures of elephants on the east side of the church – a rare sight on a medieval Romanesque church. The mason sculptors obviously had never seen a real elephant either. In the Gothic cloisters are iron market stalls with market wares such as pumpkins, beans, and potatoes, which can be a source of entertainment for a few minutes too.

The Gothic Western Façade of the Basler Münster

The western façade with its twin towers are highly decorative with Gothic sculptures and style elements. Note the small, rather pathetic-looking dragon getting himself slain by St George using an impossibly long lance.

The foolish virgins’ theme, already seen on the older St Gallen portal, is repeated here at the main door with Gothic statues of a tempter and a maiden. She is opening her dress while snakes and toads – medieval signs of evil – can be seen on his back.

The twin towers are from the 15th century. The north tower (Georgenturm) is at 65 m, 3 m higher than the south tower (Martinsturm). The towers can be climbed for excellent views of the church roof, the old town, and the Rhine Valley.

The Interior with the Tomb of Erasmus

The somewhat dark interior confirms the Romanesque origins of the Basel Minster. The church has numerous art works including original low reliefs but most visitors enter to see the grave of Erasmus of Rotterdam. This great humanist spent several years in Basel and died here in 1536. Although Erasmus stayed a Roman Catholic, he was buried in the Minster that was by then the main church of the Protestants in Basel.

Erasmus’s bones were lost following changes to the church during the 19th century. They were only positively re-identified in 1974 and now rest under his epitaph.

Opening Hours & Visitors Information

The Minster is open in summer daily from 10 am to 5 pm and in winter from 11 am to 4 pm. On Sundays, it only opens after the morning service – around 11:30 am.

Admission is free but it is CHF4 (USD 3.50) to climb the towers.

The old town has several other sights worth exploring including the Rathaus, museums, and historic Spalenberg area with cafés and shops.

The copyright of the article Minster in Basel, Switzerland in W Europe Travel is owned by Henk Bekker. Permission to republish Minster in Basel, Switzerland in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Münster (Minster) in Basel, Switzerland	St Gallen Portal, Münster in Basel, Switzerland	Romanesque Elephants, Münster in Basel Switzerland
Market Stalls in the Münster Cloisters in Basel	St George Slaying the Small Dragon, Basel Münster