Basel EURO 2008 Travel Guide

Basel EURO 2008 City Profile

Population: 165,129 (2006)

Basel Euro 2008 Basel is one of Switzerland’s largest cities. Located in the North-West, the city is close to the both the French and German borders. Basel is one of Switzerland’s most important industrial centres and houses major chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Basel’s prime position of the Rhine river makes it one of Switzerland’s most significant cargo and transportation cities. The city is also serviced by excellent public-transport infrastructure that make Basel an ideal tourist destination.

Basel City History

Founded: 44 BC

Due to it’s location on the Rhine River, the area of Basel was a prime location for human settlement. Archaeological evidence suggests that Basel was first colonised by Celtic peoples. The first settlement on Basel’s current location was built by the Romans in 44BC.

One of the most significant events in Basel’s history was the massive earthquake that levelled the town in 1356. The town had to be rebuilt from the ground up, and this was accomplished with the assistance of the noble families whose castles had been destroyed in the catastrophe.

Throughout history Basel has been an important political center in Europe. Numerous accords and treaties were settled there, and for many decades during the late middle ages the city was an important part of the Holy Roman Empire.

Basel City Culture

Official Language: German

Basel is considered to be one of the most important cultural centres in Europe. The city boasts a wide array of cultural events and sophisticated pastimes all-year round. Basel is particularly famous for its museums, with its Museum of Fine Arts laying claim to the oldest art collection in Europe.

For Euro 2008 travellers looking to complement the fantastic Euro 2008 football with top class cuisine, Basel offers a variety of excellent culinary experiences ranging from the gourmet fare offered at the famous Stucki through to the traditional cuisine of the Black Forest region.