Basel Historical Museum - Barfuesserkirche — Attraction in Basel

A Hidden Gem Among City History Museums

While I confess to having a soft spot for city history museums, the Basel Historical Museum proved to be an unexpected delight. Even better, admission is offered at half price with the BaselCard — an excellent incentive to explore this cultural treasure.

Housed within a former church, the museum’s main floor offers a serene and evocative backdrop for its impressive collection of religious art. Particularly captivating are the three meticulously crafted city models of Basel, spanning from ancient times to the present — a real treat for urban history enthusiasts.

Though all informational panels are in German, visitors are thoughtfully guided at the ticket counter to access detailed descriptions in English and French via a QR code, with free Wi-Fi available throughout the museum — a welcome gesture for international guests.

The true highlight, however, lies in the basement: an extraordinary trove of historical wonders. From ornate jewelry and period furniture to curious artifacts, weapons, and full-scale reconstructions of Gothic interiors, the collection is both diverse and beautifully presented. It is well worth allowing ample time to explore this captivating subterranean gallery in...

The Franciscan order settled at the gates of the city of Basel in 1231, just five years after the death of Saint Francis. In 1250, Bishop Berthold II of Pfirt gave them the land currently located between Barfüsserplatz (Discalced Franciscans Square) and Steinenberg, to which they immediately began construction of the convent. The inauguration of the first church was in 1256. Smaller in size than the building that succeeded it, but already at the time, it had a long monastic choir and a pulpit with four altars. This first church was, a few decades later, completely demolished, making way for the new building. In its place, the buildings that make up the convent were built, grouped around a large cloister. The main parts of the church were built at the beginning of the 14th century, that is, before the earthquake of 1356. It is an admirable church, not so much because of its rich ornamentation, but because of its harmonious proportions and its intense luminosity.With its approximately 80 meters in length, the church of the Barefoot Franciscans is almost 20 meters taller than the Cathedral of Basel and, of all the churches on the Rhine, it has the...

The Basel Historical Museum, also known as the Barfuesserkirche or the Church of the Barefoot Friars, is a museum in Basel, Switzerland that is dedicated to the history of the city and the surrounding region. It is housed in the Barfuesserkirche, a former monastery and church that dates back to the 13th century.

The museum features a wide range of exhibits that explore the history of Basel, including its cultural, social, and economic development. The exhibits include artifacts, documents, and other historical items that provide insight into the city's past. The museum also has a number of interactive exhibits that allow visitors to learn about the history of Basel in a hands-on way.

The Barfuesserkirche itself is a fascinating architectural and historical site. The church was built in the Gothic style and has a number of interesting features, including a cloister, a chapel, and a bell tower. It was originally built as a monastery for the Barefoot Friars, a religious order founded in the 13th century. The museum also features a number of temporary exhibits on a variety of historical subjects, as well as educational programs and events...