The city of Basel is in northern Switzerland on the banks of the Rhine River at the mouths of the Birs and Wiese Rivers where the French, German, and Swiss borders meet.
In 1349, the black plague wiped out approximately half of the city, and in 1356, one of the largest earthquakes in central Europe up until that time hit. Basel was, for all intents and purposes, was entirely destroyed. The quake damaged both France and Germany as well. The guilds insisted that the Jews were responsible for the plague, and they set about trying to get confessions from various Jews. Several were tortured and confessed, and the guilds used these coerced confessions as proof of their claim. They demanded that all Jews be executed, and the Council did so. All of the Jewish residents, except for the few who escape and a few youngsters were shackled. More than 600 Basel Jews were then locked inside a wooden barn on a Rhine island, and the barn was set on fire. The young orphans were converted to Christianity.
The first university in Switzerland was founded in Basel by Pope Pius II in 1460. The Pope had been to the city for the Ecumenical Council of 1431-49.
In 1501, Basel joined the Swiss Confederation and formed their local government shortly thereafter.
Dutch scholar Desiderius Erasmus taught at the university from 1510 to 1529, influencing the city to become a center of the Protestant Reformation. The Counter-Reformation brought skilled workers as refugees from Italy and France. About this time, silk was one of the major products made in Basel. By the end of the 17th century, the political power was vested in trade guilds.
In 1529, the bishop was forced to exit the city, and he was replaced by the city guilds.
The city is divided by the Rhine and connected by six bridges. Today, the part of the city on the northern bank of the Rhine is the industrial sector and the Rhine Port while the oldest part of Basel sits on the southern bank. Basel is an important hub for foreign trade, which comprises a third of all of the Swiss Customs' revenue. While Basel is home to banks and machine manufacturers, it is more than anything the center of chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Roman Catholics and Protestants are virtually evenly represented in Basel, and the most prevalent language spoken is German, or more exactly, the Basel German dialect, as opposed to standard German.
Recommended Resources
Profiles a hotel near the Basel airport, with photographs of the rooms offered including business rooms, executive rooms, and family rooms which come with a sofa bed, an extra bed, or a baby cot. The site also features photos and details about the restaurant's bar lounge which serves drinks and appetisers, their restaurant/casino, and room service. They also have the Grand Casino Basel with a full contingent of gambling choices including 13 gambling tables and 309 machines.
http://www.airporthotelbasel.com/
Offers information about furnished and serviced apartments that can be rented on a monthly or weekly basis. Photographs of the three types of apartment, the Garden side, Street Side, and Penthouse Apartments are here, as well as descriptions of each, pricing, and amenities of each. Online reservations are available on this site.
https://www.basel-apartments.ch/home-1
The official Basel tourism website promotes local events, museums, arts and culture, and guided tours. Additionally shares some of the sightseeing locations including the Basler Cathedral, art in public spaces, Old Town, Market Square, and the Gate of Spalen as well as the other two city gates still standing from the year 1400. On can also find out about the Basel Card, which includes benefits like free public transportation, free WiFi, and a 50% discount on admission to numerous venues.
https://www.basel.com/en
This site delves into all aspects of Basel, including its cosmopolitan side, what it's like to live there, arts and culture, the economy, markets, and tourism. It also has a section about its international relations which consist of relations with Shanghai, Miami Beach in Florida, and the American state of Massachusetts.
https://www.bs.ch/en/
From their Junior Suites, Deluxe Guest room, Comfort Guest room, and Standard guest room, the Hotel Spalentor displays its accommodations in photographs and in words, and the site also lists amenities of each. It describes its breakfast room and breakfast buffet, and directs people to any of the many bars and restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, which is in center of Basel. And there is a section offering specials and discounts when they are available.
https://hotelspalentor.ch/enjoy/?lang=en
The Radisson Blu Hotel is situated in the city center near the airport. It lays out the location of the hotel and how to reach it by train, by airplane, or car. It shows photos of its rooms and suites with descriptions, sizes, and amenities included with each. It profiles the house restaurant, Filini Bar and Restaurant, gives hours of business for breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner, as well as its pool, sauna, steam bath, massage services, and fitness club. It offers online booking.
https://www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-basel
