The top historical sight in Basel, Switzerland, is the Basler Münster (Minster), a big Romanesque and Gothic church with cloisters and the tomb of the humanist Erasmus.
The Basler Münster (Minster) towers over the Rhine Valley and the old town of Basel from Münsterberg hill. This mostly 14th and 15th-century Gothic church with older Romanesque origins is Basel’s top historical and architectural sight. It has important art and is famous for housing the tomb of Erasmus of Rotterdam. The 12th-century Galluspforte, depicting the Last Judgement and the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, is a highlight of Romanesque art. It is a surprisingly fun church to visit with children — interesting sculptures include elephants and a market play station in the cloisters.
Romanesque Origins and Elements in the Basel Minster
Most of the present-day Basler Münster is Gothic, built on the remains of an 11th-century Romanesque church damaged in the great earthquake of 1356. Built from Vosges sandstone, the church glows differently depending on the light—rusty at midday, soft rose at sunset. Its patterned roof tiles, in shades of green, yellow, and black, shimmer above the skyline and echo similar decorative roofs found in Burgundy and Vienna.
Romanesque Gallus Gate of Basel Minster
Arguably, the most impressive single feature of the Basel Minster is the highly decorative Romanesque St Gallen portal (Galluspforte) on the north side of the church. Constructed around 1185–1195, it is one of the finest surviving Romanesque portals in Switzerland and a rare example of monumental stone carving from this period north of the Alps.
On the tympanum is a relief of Christ sitting in judgment. Around him are the symbols of the four Evangelists. The surrounding archivolts and capitals are richly decorated with foliage, animal motifs, and biblical figures, creating a layered visual narrative that would have been immediately legible to medieval worshippers.
The Galluspforte also has reliefs of the wise and foolish virgins from the parable described in the New Testament (Matthew 25:1-13). On one side, the wise virgins carry their lit lamps, symbolizing vigilance and readiness for Christ’s return. On the other side, the foolish virgins appear crestfallen, their lamps empty, their gestures marked by sorrow. The sculptors gave them a poignancy that transcends the stone, a warning to all who entered the Minster that faith must be active and prepared. This parable was a very popular theme used in many churches in the region, including the western facade of the Basel Minster.
View of the Rhine from the Basel Minster Pfalz
The eastern end of the Basel Minster has further Romanesque elements, although it is easy to get distracted by the views from the Pfalz, a broad terrace overlooking the Rhine. Once used as the bishop’s garden, it is now a public viewpoint beloved by locals and visitors alike. From here, you can watch the steady flow of river barges, or simply relax with one of Basel’s most beautiful vistas.
In summer, the terrace becomes a gathering place, often alive with musicians or small festivals. On a clear day, it is possible to see all the way to the German Black Forest and French Vosges mountains in Alsace.
Find the Elephants on the Basel Minster
Traveling with small children? Gothic churches and cloisters can provide plenty of entertainment opportunities. Let them find the elephants! The Romanesque mason sculptors had obviously never seen real elephants but these rare sculptures on the eastern end of the church are easy enough to recognize. 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 twin towers is clearly newer and in the Gothic style. Much of the Romanesque decorations were lost in the earthquake, while the newer Gothic replacements were also partly stripped following the reformation. It likely had a Last Judgement while the Mary sculpture was removed to leave an empty slot between the two doors.
The most prominent sculptures remind of the names of the two spires. St. George slays a rather small dragon with an impossibly long lance. The horseback rider is revealed as St. Martin of Tours dividing his mantle to share with a beggar. (As a Protestant church, the word “saint” is officially not used in any descriptions, and the minster had not been a cathedral since the Reformation.)
The figures to the left (George’s side) are the benefactors Henry II and his wife, Empress Kunigunde, who commissioned the Romanesque church in 1019. The other two sculptures are more interesting: the tempter (seducer) and a misguided maiden. She is revealing too much flesh, while snakes and toads, medieval signs of evil, can be seen on the tempter’s back.
The Basler Münster’s twin towers are from the 15th century. The Georgenturm (George Tower) to the north is at 65 m, 3 m higher than the Martinsturm (Martin Tower) to the south. Fantastic views of the church roof, the old town, and the Rhine Valley can be enjoyed from the top of the tower (around 250 steps).
The Interior of the Basler Münster
The interior of Basel Minster balances Romanesque solidity beneath soaring Gothic lightness. The nave stretches in dignified simplicity, with massive pillars supporting ribbed vaults.
The choir area, rebuilt after the earthquake, shows the purest Gothic style, drawing the eye upward to the stained-glass windows. These colorful panels, dating from the 14th to 15th centuries, depict biblical scenes as well as saints closely tied to Basel’s history.
The atmosphere is markedly different from some of Europe’s more elaborate cathedrals. Here, the design reflects Swiss restraint and the influence of the Reformation. The ornate side altars were removed, but the carved choir stalls from the 14th century showcase medieval craftsmanship, while the surviving fragments of frescoes hint at a once colorful interior.
Tomb of Erasmus
The Basel Minster has numerous artworks, including original low reliefs, but the most popular sight is the grave of the humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam. Erasmus lived for several years in Basel and died here in 1536. By then, the Reformation had been accepted in Basel, and the Minster was the main church of the Protestants. Although Erasmus stayed a Roman Catholic, he was buried in the Protestant church.
Erasmus’s bones were lost following changes to the church during the 19th century. However, they were positively re-identified in 1974 and now rest under his epitaph.
The Romanesque crypt below the Gothic choir houses the tombs of Basel’s early bishops and noble patrons. Most famously, it is the resting place of Queen Anna of Habsburg, wife of Emperor Rudolf I. Her finely carved sarcophagus is a highlight for visitors interested in medieval funerary art. (The crypt is closed during the winter months.)
Opening Hours & Visitors Information for the Basel Minster
The Basel 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 CHF6 to climb the towers.
Opening hours are longer while the Basel Christmas market is open. On some nights, it may be possible to climb the church tower after dark too.
Basel’s old town, including a magnificent Rathaus, some of the best museums in Switzerland, and the historic Spalenberg area with cafés and shops, is also worth exploring.