Basel is Switzerland’s third-largest city, positioned where France, Germany and Switzerland converge at the Rhine River. It is situated at the entrance to the Swiss portion of the Rhineland and is bordered by Switzerland’s Jura Mountains, France’s Vosges and Germany’s Black Forest. Grossbasel (which translates as Greater Basel) is located on the steep left bank of the Rhine and Kleinbasel (or Lesser Basel) sits on the right. The ancient imperial city was founded at Grossbasel. Today, the two sectors are connected by six bridges and several ferries, which run by the power of the river’s currents. The first of the bridges was completed in 1225 and for centuries was the only link between Grossbasel and Kleinbasel.

Vogel Gryff: is a festival that dates to the pagan customs and rituals of the 13th century. The event today is held in honour of one of Kleinbasel’s three guilds. Late in the morning on the day of the festival, a raft carrying the Wild Maa (a mythical, hairy figure which symbolises fertility) courses down the Rhine as far as the Mittlere Brücke, accompanied by the beat of an ancient drum. He is met on the banks of the river by the Leu (lion) and the Vogel Gryff (griffon) and greeted by the booming of cannon. At noon, the three perform a traditional dance at the midpoint of the Mittlere Brücke, following dance steps dating from the Middle Ages. A Gryffemähli (a luncheon for all guild members) is held in Kleibasel, followed by a procession through the streets, during which jesters collect money for the poor. By the evening, a party is in full swing, involving plenty of dancing and drinking in the older restaurants of Kleinbasel.

Basel is visited typically for its museums and world-class shopping. There is more here to be seen however, in some of the city’s historically-significant buildings and monuments, such as its striking red sandstone cathedral and town hall.

The international airport serving Basel and the surrounding area is known as Euroairport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL; EAP), and the world’s only airport having two nationalities. The facility was built on French soil and is located about two miles from Basel. The airport is served by several major carriers as well as a growing number of budget airlines.

Banks: 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday.
Post Offices: 08:30 to 18:00, Monday to Friday.
Department Stores and Shops: 09:00 to 18:30, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 17:00 on Saturday. Museums: check with each individual museum.