ENVIRONS H THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 1 i LIBRARY 1 ^ 1 8 '1 W: Prom the collection of | fp ' » ! ■ Julius Doerner, Chicago 1 I i 3 | 1 f ^ ■ ! t :j ■ Purchased, 1918. i ! 1 1 Larc 914.94 ! :i ] est near B29g 1 :he i OmniI)iis of tlie Hotel are always in attendance at the railway stations. — Lift. The Hotel of „ Three Kings was entirely rebuilt 1843, and is one of the oldest in Europe ; already in 1026 a. a. a conference was held here between the Emperor Conrad II, his son Henri III and Rudolphe HI, the last king of Bourgogne, in which the latter gave up his king- dom to Henry. It is from this historical act that the hotel took its name. BALE. Largest first class famil}^ Hotel at Basle, in the finest situation on the Banks of the Rhine, near the Cathedral, Museum, the Town-Hall and the General Post- and Telegraph Office. Hot and cold baths in the Hotel. Omnibus of the Hotel are always in attendance at the railway stations. — Lift. The Hotel of „ Three Kings was entirely rebuilt 1848, and is one of the oldest in Europe ; already in 1026 a. a. a conference was held here between the Emperor Conrad II, his son Henri III and Rudolphe III, the last king of Bourgogne, in which the latter gave up his king- dom to Henry. It is from this historical act that the hotel took its name. MAP OP THE TOWN OF BASLE. A B C D G H J K L M N 0 P HOTELS: Schrieder Krafft Three Kings Bellevue Stork Central (Wildmann) Metropole Falcon Euler Jura Hofer National Victoria C 2 C 3 C 4 C 4 C 4 D 4 D 4 E 5 E 5 E 5 E 5 E 5 E 5 St. Gotthard & Terminus E 5 De la Gare F 5 CHURCHES Reformed evangelie: Cathedral D 4 St. Leonard D 4 St. Peter C 4 St. Alban E 3 St. Elisabeth D 4 St. Martin C 4 St. Theodor D 3 St. Matthew B 2 French Church C 5 Old Catholic: Preachers Church B 4 Roman Catholic: St. Clara, Klein Basle C 3 St. Mary’s Church D 5 For Israelites' Synagogue ® ^ PUBLIC BUILDINGS and INSTITUTIONS: Town Hall C 4 Court of Justice D 4 Town Gymnastic Hall D 4 Lohnhof (Chief Police Office) D 4 University C 4 Public Library B 5 Vesalianum (anat. Museum) C 5 Bernoullianum Observatory B 5 Hopital B 4 „ for women B 4 „ for children 0 2 3 House of correction Historical Museum New Lunatic Asylum Arsenal Casern or Barraks B C 3 Orphan Asylum D 3 Polytechnic Institute C 5 Stifthouse Reading Society D 4 Museum 0 4 Tradeshall (Schifflande) B 4 Hall of Arts (Kunsthalle) B 4 Casino B 4 Music Hall B 4 Theater B 4 Schlitzenhaus C 6 Zoological Garden B 6 Botanic Garden E 4 Erlenpark A I St. James Monument F 4 The Spalen Town gate C 5 Gate of St. Alban E 3 Mission Hall B 5 1 D 3 D 3 D 4 UMGEBUNG Kor)^ a dangerous neighbourhood arose, and the Wars of Succession re- peatedly placed the town in a dangerous situation (Battle of Friedlingen, 1702, General Mercy’s march through Basle territory, 1709). 20 The troubles during the Wars of the French Revolution (Peace of Basle 1795) were a source of great anxiety, and the Siege of Hiiningen (1796 1797) brought the danger still nearer. (At Hiiningen there is a monument to General Abbatucci,) The so-called Helvetic Unified Constitution brought a sad time of in- action and sham liberty under French rule. (The French general, Massena, extorted from the town a contribution of 1,600,000 francs.) Basle was sorely tried by the allied army’s mar- ching through the city (1(S13) with 150,000 men, 640,(300 soldiers being quartered in the town in the course of six months, (100.000 officers), which caused i an expenditure of 4,000,000 francs. j Although possessing, since 1814, a tolerably libe- | ral constitution, strong democratic tendencies began ; to make themselves felt in the Canton of Basle after the July Revolution. The landward part of the canton jj demanded that representation should be determined by | the number of inhabitants. To this the town would not consent. Armed resistance and combats followed, which led to a division of the canton into two entirely independent parts, Basle-City {Basel-Stadl)^ and Basle- Country {Basel-Land), in the year 1833. SIGHTS. 1) The Cathedral. (See p. 21.) Open free on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2—4 p. m. At other times apply to the sacristan, 13 Mansterplatz. Admission: 1 or 2 persons, 50 ets; for every additional person, 25 cts. Formerly the head church of the diocese — the Minster {Mfmster) — now the principal Protestant church ; situated on an elevated site overlooking the Rhine, (896 ft. above the sea, and about 66 ft above the Rhine), cruciform, 216 ft. long and 75 ft. wide ; a Basilica with Romanesque columns and partly of The Cathedral. Romanesque construction, but remodelled and rebuilt in the Gothic style, with two steeples. The faqade is of red and white sandstone, and has been restored in its original purity of form by the Cathedral Building Committee (1880 — 1889). Of the Cathedral built (1010—1019) in the time of Henry II (called the Saint)^ and burnt down in 1185, the lower portion of the north tower still remains. The chief parts of the struc- ture date from a restoration commenced after the fire of 1185, and executed in the style of the transition period, as a building with three naves The fagade and the aisles date from the Gothic period. In con- sequeuce of the great earthquake on St. Luke’s-Day, 1356, the arches of the principal nave were thrown down, and the upper parts of the choir fell into the Rhine. The church was rebuilt by Bishop Senn of Mtinsingen ; the ingeuiously constructed choir is the work of John of Gmiind. The two steeples date from different periods. The north steeple (St. George’s)^ the older of the two, 210 ft. high, was rebuilt on the old foundation and completed in 1426 under the direction of the master- builder Boferlin. The south steeple (St. Martin’s)^ 205 ft high, was erected (1489 — 1500) by the architect John of Nussdorf In St. George’s steeple there is the so-called Emperor Henry’s Bell’., in St. Martin’s, the large Papal Bell., presented by Pope Felix V. The slender, richly fretted spires, of slightly concave form, narrow gradually as they ascend. From the top there is a magnificent, charming view. The fagade, surmounted by the steeples, appears but scantily furnished. In the centre is the Chief Portal (Early Gothic) of fine proportions, adorned with many figures. On the right and left are side- entrances. Between these there are four statues on slender pillars. To the left, a king with a model of m - — ■ — ■■■ --- ^ the church, Henry II (the Saint) ; beside him, his consort Kunigunde. To the rights a crowned man, whose back is covered with serpents, toads, and ver- min — Satan the “Prince of this world “ ; near him is a female figure with a lively, sensual expression — the World’s Mistress, Lubricity. Over the portal there is a fine stone gallery, and above this a colossal window in four parts with fine carvings. A large balustrade fgallery) surrounds the entire central structure, including the towers, and is surmounted by a large Grothic window in the midst of the triangular gable. Above this window we see the statue of the patroness of the cathedral — the Virgin and Child, Below, on either side, colossal sta- tues of Henry II and his consort Kunigunde The lower walls of the towers, which have no buttresses, are adorned with two equestrian statues on two wall pillars. On the north tower we see St. George killing , the dragon ; on the south, St. Martin dividing his cloak. Hence the towers are respectively called St. George’s and St. Martine’s. [ At the north end of the transept (a part of the i old Bomanesque structure, dating from the 1 Pii and | 12^^ centuries) the so-called St. Gall’s Portal is espe- | cially noteworthy owing to the richness of its deco- | ration, whence it has been conjectured that this was | the chief entrance to the old cathedral. i Built after the model of the triumphal arch at Besau9on | with pillar-like relievos of li^ht colonnades containing ornamental figures, this portal enters the wall in a slanting direction. On | either side there are three slender pillars, and between these, in high relief, four life sized statues of the evangelists with their emblems. In the centre, Christ as Judge of the World ; and on each side, St. Peter and St. Paul with other saints ; in particular, the seven wise and the seven foolish virgins. To the right and left of the Portal- Arch, St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist ; above them, angels blowing trumpets, and the dead rising from their graves and preparing for the last judgment. - ——= k 24 Over this portal there is a large rose-window, called from its sculptures “Fortune’s wheel“ {GluckHrad). The outer end of the Chancel is surrounded by two galleries. In the upper gallery the windows have pointed arches ; in the lower, round arches. The key- stones of the upper arches represent all sorts of ca- ricatures. Beneath we have Romanesque arcades in half relief, over which there is a fine frieze represen- ting a vintage. Under the Chancel is the Crypt, the pillars of which are ornamented with interesting Ro- manesque reliefs *, on the walls and vaulted ceilings there are remnants of paintings of the 14^'' century. Having finished our walk round the Cathedral, we come from the terrace {Pfalz) to the cloisters, containing tombstones and monuments of distinguished and celebrated citizens of Basle. The first four cross- shaped vaults are of the 12^^^ century {Roma7iesque) ; the remaining parts are of the 14^^^ and 15^^ century (Late Gothic) with rich masonry. To the left of the entrance is the chapel of St. Nicholas, above which was the Prebendary Hall, now called the Council Hall. The cloisters were formerly decorated with al- tars, images of saints, and pictures, and still contain many memorial tablets, and two small grass-plots, formerly burying places. Amongst the tombs still to be seen are those of the three principal promoters of the Reformation : Oecolompadlus, Si?non Grynaeus, and | the Burgomaster Meyer (west cloister) : besides these j there also those of Thomas Platter^ Coellus Seenn das, ; Curio, Isaac Ise/lu, etc. i In the interior of the cathedral the visitor is struck by the severe simplicity of the different parts | and by the harmonious and sublime effect produced by I the whole. Width of the nave, 43 ft. ; length of the ‘ transept, 107 ft., width, 81 ft. The best view of the i : whole is obtained from the lofty gallery. The nave is ;i — — ■ — " -■ — ^ 25 ou both sides separated from the aisles by six pillars with square capitols and pointed arches, and along with the four side-aisles has an imposing effect. Above the aisles the lofty gallery runs round the nave and chancel. The effect produced by the Chancel is at once majestic and picturesque. The Choir, which is a little raised, having under it the Crypt, is separated from the Chancel by four fine groups of pillars, approached by stairs, and consisting of seven separate columns of greater and lesser height, which entirely remove any impression of great pressure. The pulpit^ in the form of a chalice, dates from 1486. It is beautifully adorned with carvings in the Gothic style. The font is from 1495. It is cup-like in form and adorned with ornaments and figures in the Gothic style. Along the left aisle there are monuments from the Middle Ages (14^^^ and 15^^ centuries), of which the most beautiful is that of Bishop Arnold of Bot- borg. There is also one to the memory of Erasmus of Rotterdam, erected by his friends in 1536. (Latin inscription on marble tablet.) On the north-west wall of the transept there are two tablets of sandstone of the 11^^ or 12^^ century, showing in relief the martyrdom of St. Vincent. On the south-east wall of the transept there is a similar tablet, the so-called Apostolic Tablet {Apostel- tafel) in red sandstone, showing in relief the figures of six apostles (probably once an ornament of the altar or the pulpit), a very intersting piece of sculp- ture of the 11^1^ century. In the transept there are also some exquisitely car- ved choir stalls of the 45^^^ century, with many sarca- stic allusions to the lack of discipline among the clergy of the time. It was in this i3art of the Cathedral that 26 the plenary meetings of the Council took place (1431—1448). The windows are adorned with new stained-glass paintings. In the passage round the Choir there is a mo- nument to the memory of the Empress Anne, the consort of Eudolph of Habsburg (f in Vienna, 1281) and of her young son, Charles. It is a masterly piece of sculpture of the 14*^ century. The crowned empress and her little son are in a recumbent position, framed by two Grothic pointed arches, and surrounded by escutcheons. The sarcophagus is empty , the ashes having been removed to St. Blasien (1770), and after- words to Vienna. In the centre there is a marble altar on twelve columns, dating from 1580. Above the Chief Portal there is a new and ex- cellent organ with 62 registers and 3724 pipes (of which the largest is 32 ft. high), made by Haas of Klein-Laufenburg. Behind the Cathedral there is a beautiful terrace, 66 ft. above the Rhine, overshadowed by fine chestnut trees, and affording a magnificent view. Adjoining are the commodius Public Reading Rooms (formerly the residence of the Cathedral administrator). The Library has upwards of 55,000 volumes and 200 periodicals and newspapers. Strangers may be introduced. Below the terrace we see to the right the Rhine Baths for ladies, to the left those for gentlemen. At the south-east corner of the Cathedral Square there is a statue of the Reformer Oecolompadius, executed in sandstone by Prof. L, Kaiser of Zurich. Walking across the Cathedral Square we enter Augustinergasse and find on our left - -■■■- , 27 . .... 2) The Museum^ a magnificent edifice in the Grecian style (with fine frieze by Oechslin showing seven groups in bas-relief). Open free on Sundays from 10.15 till 12.15, and on Wednes- days from 2 till 4 p. m. At other times admission: 50 cts. The Museum contains the following collections : — I. On the ground-floor : a) The University or Public Library containing 200,000 vols and 5000 MSS. Several old printed works of great value. b) The Ethnographical Collection, containing va- luable Mexican Antiquities. (Continued up-stairs near the Gallery of modern Swiss artists.) II. On the first-floor : In the left wing the Aula^ used for solemn pro- ceedings connected with the University, contains many portraits of professors. In the front building and in the remaining halls the N^atural Science Collection is placed. III. On the second-floor : In the front building the Picture Gallery, a Collec- tion of Works of Art. Catalogue 50 cts. In one of the ante-rooms we find a part of the former Ca- thedral organ by the younger Holbein ; in another, a collection of free-hand drawings, rich in works by Nicholas Manuel, Baldung Grien, Diirer, and Holbein (father and son). The younger Hol- bein's studies for the Madonnas of Darmstadt and Dresden are deservedly celebrated : there are also many other drawings from his hand. The ‘Praise of Folly‘ by Erasmus is adorned by Hol- bein’s marginal drawings. The first of the inner rooms is devoted to works by Holbein and the South- German masters of the 16th century ; the second to the masters of the 15th century ; the third to the masters of the 17th and 18th centuries ; the fourth to the Birmann Collection ; the fifth to the modern masters. In the left wing there is the Gallery of Modern Swiss Painters. 3) In Market Square we have the Town Hall (soon to be restored and enlarged), a Burgundian- Gothic structure, where the cantonal Parliament {Grand- Council) and Government hold their meetings (see 28 — ,, _ : - .■ ^ ]>. i^9) The fagade ia tastefullv adorned , and the battlements are decorated with escut- cheons. In the hall on the ground floor and in the court-yard the walls are adorned with pain- tings. On the entrance arch there is a brass plate showing the grea- test height of the Birsig in the inundations of 1529 and 1530. A stone staircase with a statue of L. Munatius Plancus, the founder of Basel- Augst (Colonia Raurica), by Hans Michel, erected 1580. On ihQ first-floor, the large hall where the Cantonal Parliament meets. It is adorned with handsome panelling and carvings. (Frieze showing hares pursuing the hunter.) Portal I to the Chancery (Renaissance). Magnificent stained- I glass paintings of the four forest cantons and the four ! allied “Orte^h In Market Square the next house but one to the Town Hall is the Bank of Basle, and next to it is the so-called “Geltenzunft“, beer-saloon and restaurant belonging to the Warteck Brewery. 4) The Post-office is situated in Freiestrasse and Oerbergasse with fagade to Postgasse, built of red sandstone in the late Gothic style and enlarged (1880), with arches and windows of original design. On the first story, the Exchange. To the left in Freiestrasse, which is being rebuilt, we see the new building of I ■ - ---- ■ — Town Hall and Bank of Basle, 30 the so-called ^ Hausyenossen » Guild and close to it the spacious Cardinal Hally the finest beer-saloon in Switzerland, Passing along Freiestrasse and turning to the left into Baumleingasse we have on our left the Law CourtSy erected (1859) in the Florentine style. A little farther on we see the corner house “zum Luft“, which was the printing office of the famous Frobenius in the 16^^ century ; here, too, Erasmus of Potterdam lived and died. Turning again into Freiestrasse we cross over, past the Commercial Bank, into Steinenberg, and see to our left 5) The Hall of Arts {Kuustholle)^ the property of the Basle Art Union. It is built in the Italian style, of light sandstone. On the ground-floor there are beauti- ful refreshment rooms, the walls of which have been decorated by Brunner with yjaintings representing Wine, Woman, and Song. On the fagade towards the garden there are five keystones representing caricatures after designs by the celebrated painter Bocklin There is a small collection of oil-paintings by Swiss artists on the first-floor. The staircase shows us frescoes representing the re-awakening of Nature, executed by • E. Stiickelberg. On the second-floor there is a large hall, lighted from above, for exhibitions of paintings. Permanent exhibition from Sey^tember till June. The Sculpture Hall is at the back of the garden, near St. Elizabeth’s Church. It contains many casts of antique statues. Close by is 6) The City Theatre, erected (1875) in the French Benaissance Style ; 1500 seats ; inside elegantly fitted up. Dramatic and operatic yDerformances (usually five times a week) from October till April. A little farther on, on the opposite side, in The- atre Street, we see to our right the City Gymnastic Hally erected in 1876, and to our left the magnificent i Caricatures after Bocklin, Girls’ School, whose noble facade occupies almost the whole side of the street, and which contains 2000 scholars l)elonging to the primary and secondary grades. Turning back to Steinenberg we find 7) The Wiusic Hall, adjoining the Casino, a new building with large Concert Hail for 1500 persons. Extra rooms for concerts and balls. Near the Casino in Barfilsserplatz stands the former Franciscan Church, a noble structure of the 14^^ century, with a Choir of unusual height. After undergoing a thorough restora- tion, this building now serves as 8) Historical Museum (see p. 33) and contains a collection of ancient remains, and, in particular, a fine Collection of Antiquities of the Middle Ages. On entering the nave, we find remains of ancient eci lesias- tical and secular architecture, and numerous pieces of sculpture, among which the old equestrian statue of iSt. Martin from the Cathedral occupies a prominent place. Then follows the hall of arms formed of th^ entire collection of ancient arms formerly in .the arsenal, with the celebrated field-pieces, trophies, guild-ban- ners, etc. Then we find the collection of wood-carvings and smith- work. On each side of this hall we find interiors arranged by means of ancient panellings or ceilings, furnished with furniture of all kinds, exemplifying the development of the dwelling from the 15th up to the 18th century. On the galleries we find the textile articles, house ustensils, antiquities connected with the state, musical instruments, smaller specimens of plastic art, stainen- glass paintings, Roman antiquities, etc. The Choir is furnished with ecclesiastical remains, the beautifully carved altar of St. Mary Calanca, the splendid stalls of the Cathedral, and numerous paintings and sculptures ; adjoining is the chamber containing objects of special value, the sacred vessels ot the churches, the valuable vessels of the corporations and societies, articles once belonging to Erasmus, Bonifaeius Amerbach, and the Burgomaster J. K. Wettstein, etc. Finally we find in the court-yard columns from the temples of the Roman Augusta, ancient fountains and gates, and under the surrounding arcades monuments in abundance dating from the period of the Roman occupation, from the Middle Ages, and from the time of the Renaissance. The collection is open free on Sundays from 10 till 12 and from 2 till 4, and on Wednesdays from 2 till 4. At other times admission : 50 cts. And here we must not omit to mention the ce- lebrated Basle Dance of Death (see p. 34 — 38 b about which Historical Museum, 3 34 Tlie^Preacher. Death and Queen, Death. Death and Empress, Death and Cardinal. Dance of Death. Death and Pope. Death and King’. Death and Emperor. Death and Bishop. 35 Death and Dutchess. Death and Earl. Death and Abbot. Death and Knight. Death and Lawyer. Death and Alderman. Death and Prependary. Dance of Death. Death and Doctor, 36 Death and Nobleman, Death and Lady. Death and Merchant. Death and Abbess. Death and Cripple. Death and Hermit. Death and young Man. Death and Usurer. Dance of Death, Death and Maid. 37 Death and Mayor. Shop-keeper. Death and blind Man. Death and Jew. Dance of Death. Death and Heathen. Death and Bagpiper. Death and Herald. Death and Beadle Death and Fool. Death and 38 Death and Farmer. Heathen-w