Basel, Switzerland 

Basel is a city on the Rhine River in northwest Switzerland, close to the country’s borders with France and Germany. Its medieval old town centers around Marktplatz, dominated by the 16th-century, red-sandstone Town Hall and its 12th-century Gothic cathedral.

Basel is commonly considered to be the cultural capital of Switzerland and the city is famous for its many museums. Forty museums are spread throughout the city-canton, making Basel one of the largest cultural centres in relation to its size and population in Europe. It has emerged as a centre for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries in the 20th century in Switzerland, hosting both Novartis and Roche. All theses chemical and pharmaceutical companies help finance the many Basel museums. Interestingly, the silk ribbon industry in Basel, Switzerland was a major part of the region's economy for centuries, but declined rapidly in the 20th century.

The commercial side of Basel became clearly apparent as we docked in the very industrial area and had to be bussed out of it to take our tour.
Looking out one side of the viking ship:


And then panning around from that beautiful bucolic scene, you encounter the industrial sections!




Oops - how did this picture get in here....Missy Aurora




Tinguely Museum - Swiss sculptor best known for his kinetic art sculptural machines (known officially as Métamatics) or as the "junk artist".

 
Two of 3 preserved  city gates.  There were 7 originally.



Green glass tile building.  Rossetti building, the institute for hospital pharmaceuticals in Basel, Switzerland.


Stopped at the music concert hall for a quick WC break.  A Very red interior with broom-like light fixtures.  Musical Theater Basel is one of the most beautiful and modern of all the theatres and concert halls in Switzerland

  

The bathrooms were equally red. 

Loved our tour guide, Monique's, outfit.  Trending very modern Swiss traditional look.....(is that a thing?)  She just looked very Swiss in a modern way.





We did encounter a very strange juxtaposition with the old cathedral as a backdrop for a street carnival all around it. Apparently the carnival will be there for two weeks.  This event was timed for the school children who are on school break.


Lots of updating going on in the center of town as they are eliminating the streets and making it a pedestrian zone.


  Basel's 16th century town hall


(Not curved...this is a panorama shot which tends to bend pictures)









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