Archaeo Tour

Make a journey through 300 years of Basel history.

To mark the 1000th anniversary of Henry’s Cathedral in Basel, the Archaeological Service has set up an Archaeological Information Area in the crypt beneath the crossing, which was previously inaccessible. Discover the architectural remains of the cathedral that date back to the period between the reign of Charlemagne and the Reformation. Exhibits from bishops’ graves, original architectural features and a 270° media installation allow visitors to use all their senses when learning about the long history of this mystical space. The app includes additional images and in-depth information.

The cathedral hill is the historical “centrepiece” of Basel City. An extensive archive of the history of the city is concealed below ground. Important turning points in the history of Europe are highlighted, such as the Romanisation of Celtic society, the transition from Late Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages and the development of medieval episcopal cities with a variety of sacred buildings. Take a walk with us on the cathedral hill and discover archaeological traces from the Bronze Age to the Middle Ages.

The Audioguide App by the Archaeology Department shows you around original sites from the Celtic, Roman and medieval history of Basel, where archaeological information points have been set up. It allows you to experience the millennia-old history of the cathedral hill in all its diversity. While visiting the sites you can learn more about the background of and insight gained from important excavations thanks to the visible archaeological monuments and the app. Digital reconstructions and numerous pictures help you immerse yourself in the subjects dealt with at the individual points on the archaeological tour.

The app contains 20 minutes of audio material. The tour takes 60 to 90 minutes. However, it can be adapted to your interests and to how much time you have to spend. You can start the tour at any of the information points. Please activate the GPS on your smartphone.

Recent changes:
To mark the 1000th anniversary of Henry’s Cathedral in Basel, the Archaeological Service has set up an Archaeological Information Area in the crypt beneath the crossing, which was previously inaccessible.