Description of the attraction
St. Martin's Church (Martinskirche) is a Protestant church in Basel. It rises above many buildings in the old part of the city, often referred to as Greater Basel. The first documentary evidence of it dates back to 1101-1103 years. The building of the church stands in the northern part of the hill near the cathedral and is considered the oldest parish church in Basel.
The church was first built here in the 10th century. Parts of the tower and western façade have survived from their creation in 1287. The earthquake of 1356 did not bypass this church either, because at that time most of the city was destroyed, and Martinskirche was almost completely rebuilt, however, its foundation remained the same. At the same time, a bell tower with four bells was added to it. The choir polygon, as well as the north and south facades, date from the second half of the 14th century. Johann Ecolampadius, the reformer of Basel, preached here. During the Reformation, many murals and frescoes were covered with plaster.
In 1851, the church underwent a planned restructuring. At the same time, the facades were significantly rebuilt, the first concert stage was erected in the inner space. Even before that, the church was used as a concert hall. At the same time, the frescoes were restored, because the plaster was neatly beaten off. For heating, a basement in the choir was built in 1892.
The bell of St. Martin's Church traditionally announces the opening of the Basel Autumn Exhibition.
