A lot to see in such a small city
Basel
is very proud of its many museums. No other European city has so many top museums in such a small space.
37 square kilometres for almost 40 museums! The range of collections presented is very broad, but the
focus is on fine art.
A collector’s passion
Collecting
art is a tradition of long standing in Basel. Basel was the first europeen city making accessible to
the public and art collection in 1661. Other treasures of today's Kunstmuseum
are pictures by Hans Holbein or modern classics. Apart from the Kunstmuseum, four other state run museums
set the standard for many international museums with regard to research and education: The Historisches
Museum Basel (Museum of History), the Museum der Kulturen (Museum of cultures), the Antikenmuseum (Museum
of antiquity) and the Naturhistorisches Museum (Museum of natural history).
Famous
private collections
During the last two decades, some private institutions
such as the Fondation Beyeler (1997), the Museum Tinguely (1996) and the Schaulager (2003) have made
Basel even more attractive. Especially Fondation Beyeler in Riehen, a suburb of Basel, repeatedly stages
very attractive exhibitions and events: A few years ago, the museum had Christo and Jeanne Claude wrap
the trees around the building. The special exhibitions of classical modern art are regular highlights
in Basel. Last, but not least, the Vitra design collection in Weil am Rhein sets many trends in design
and architecture.
Unique and bizarre
Let’s
not forget the many smaller, quaint and often quite humorous museums that harbour real treasures and
intriguing little bits and pieces. The Museum of Pharmaceutical History hosts the largest collection
of pharmaceutical history – which is often mysterious and sometimes a little gruesome. The oldest proven
exhibit for medical students is a skeleton dating from 1543. It can be seen in the Museum of Anatomy.
The Cartoon Museum shows collections of satirical drawings and cartoons. And the Museum of Dolls Houses
is home to the world’s largest collection of teddy bears.
More on Basel’s
museums
