Description of the attraction
The central place in Basel is occupied by the Cathedral - the symbol of the city. The cathedral is a late Romanesque basilica with a 12th century transverse nave and choir and has many characteristic Gothic elements. The walls of the cathedral are built of red sandstone and topped with a colored tile roof and two towers. Above the central portal is the emperor Henry II, the founder of the cathedral, holding a model of the temple in his hands. Next to him is the Empress Kunigunda.
After a strong fire that happened in 1258, the temple was renovated and chapels-tombs were built in the side aisles. After a devastating earthquake in 1356 destroyed the vaults, towers and crypt of the cathedral, the building was rebuilt in accordance with the style of the time. This is especially clearly evidenced by the sculptural decoration of the cathedral.
In the northern part of the cathedral is the tomb of Erasmus of Rotterdam. In the crypt of the cathedral, fragments of late Romanesque frescoes and a lapidarium are preserved - the remains of the stone masonry of the temple of the 9th century.
