Begin your public-art tour at Theaterplatz, at what is probably one of the city’s most striking works of art in a public space: the Tinguely fountain – also known as the Fasnachts-Brunnen (Carnival Fountain) – by Jean Tinguely. Nine figures spouting water make for an amusing scene. And not without reason: this exact spot used to be home to the stage of the old city theatre. The Tinguely fountain, which was revealed in 1977, is a tribute to the actors and dancers who used to appear here. The figures in the fountain are made from parts of the theatre, which was demolished. The Tinguely fountain is particularly beautiful in winter, when impressive ice sculptures form over the figures.

You will find the next work of art just a short walk away, right in front of the entrance to Theater Basel – Richard Serra’s Intersection. You can’t miss the huge sails made of steel. Planned as part of a temporary exhibition in 1992, the sculpture was subsequently privately gifted to the public.

The next work of art is right behind this one: the Grosse Mondleiter by local artist René Küng. Curved rungs, most of which are made from tree branches, portray a stairway to heaven above the roof of the theatre. The sculpture, with its linear design, was established on Theaterplatz in 1980.

Thomas Schütte’s 3.5 metre-tall bronze sculpture Drittes Tier has watched over the square in front of Baloise Park and Mövenpick Hotel Basel since 2020. This fantasy creature, composed of all kinds of animals, snorts steam like a dragon.

The art tour continues in the De Wette park. Here, round white fences surround wild undergrowth and trees. It might not look like art at first glance, but the piece was created by Basel artist Erik Steinbrecher. Landler and Polka were created in 2008 as part of the redesign of the park.

Your journey then continues on to Heuwaage. You will quickly spot the bright sculpture Lieu dit by Basel artist Michael Grossert. It is a combination of painting and sculpture, tectonic and organic forms. In 1976, this was new and provocative for Basel. At the same time, though, the sculpture represented friendship between artists. When the piece was destroyed by vandals shortly after it had been revealed, friends painted the opulent object again from scratch.As part of the all around Basel | art in public spaces project, artists share their enthusiasm for art outside the museum walls. One of the eight short films is dedicated to the sculpture Lieu dit.

Head back to the theatre and turn left into Theatergässlein towards the Birsig car park. It looks as though you should be walking upside down on the ceiling here – because there is a pedestrian crossing up there. The piece Luege-Lose-Laufe by Marc Covo has brightened up the little passageway since 1993.

Head along Steinenvorstadt to Barfüsserplatz and take the steps up to Gymnasium Leonhard. At the top of the steps to Kohlenberg, a naked Ritter Georg sits on his horse atop a high pedestal. This elegant bronze statue by Carl Burckhardt was created in 1922 and stands out from afar thanks to its S-shaped silhouette.

Dr. Rudolf Riggenbach

From here, it’s just a short walk to Leonhardskirchplatz. Sculptor Peter Moilliet has placed his own monument to Basel’s curator of monuments and art connoisseur Dr Rudolf Riggenbach here. With an open coat and a smoking cigar, the sculpture of the man himself draws a lot of attention.

Arion, Omar, Schwarzer Teufel, Silberpfeil

Arion, Omar, Schwarzer Teufel, Silberpfeil – these catchy names once belonged to horses in literature from around the world. They are embedded in the floor of nearby Rosshof, to remind visitors of a bygone age. This piece of art is by artist Hannes Vogel.

Next to the collegiate house of the University of Basel at Petersplatz, you will find the sculpture Lehrer und Schüler by Basel sculptor and artist Alexander Zschokke. It is reminiscent of the classical antiquity and religious sculptures of the Middle Ages. The larger-than-life figure conveys discipline, knowledge and honour – values that the oldest university in Switzerland (founded in 1460) still embodies to this day.

If you now take the Rheinsprung, you will find another work of art by an artist from Basel on a wall on the left-hand side: Gänseliesel by Samuel Buri looks somewhat unfinished. The mural looks like a black-and-white image, with the artist’s utensils on a set of scaffolding. It’s the perfect optical illusion.

L’homme aux bras écartés

Now walk up the Rheinsprung to the Picassoplatz, where you will find the sculpture L’homme aux bras écartés – a weatherproof version of the original work by Pablo Picasso.

If you now head towards Aeschenplatz, you will already be able to see what is probably the largest and most obvious piece of public art in the city. The Hammering Man by Jonathan Borofsky is the final stop on our art tour. The figure carries out its work here in an endless loop: the gigantic, black sculpture, made from aluminium and steel, slowly strikes its hammer three to four times a minute.

Public art in Basel

Join us on a discovery tour of the most interesting works of art dotted throughout the city. Pablo Picasso, Jonathan Borofsky and Jean Tinguely are just a few of the artists who enrich the cityscape with their works. Have fun on your art tour of Basel!

An art walk along the Rhine

Art in public spaces is not confined to town squares, fountains and churches – it can also take us by surprise in unexpected places. Have fun on your art tour of Basel!

Works encountered during the art walk

Monument to a Lost Glove

Basilisk

Sharing Bread

Helvetia on the Road

Amazon Leading a Horse

Claudia ich liebe dich oder so 22/25 Uhr

Monument to a Lost Glove (1998)

Ilya Kabakov: Monument to a Lost Glove © all around Basel

The art walk along the Rhine starts directly next to the Kunstmuseum Basel | Gegenwart on St. Alban-Tal. This is home to a very special monument: one without a pedestal, so small that it’s easily overlooked. A red glove, seemingly made of leather, lies half hidden on sandy gravel ground. Installed by Ilya Kabakov, the glove is actually made of plastic and is weatherproof. The inconspicuous garment is surrounded by a semicircle of nine chrome steel panels with text that tells stories about the red object and encourages the imagination to run free. The monument in Basel is a permanent installation, while temporary versions have already invited people to reflect on its message in locations including Paris, Lyon and New York.

Learn more about the Monument to a Lost Glove in one of the short films produced by the cultural project “all around Basel | art in public spaces”.

Basilisk (1880)

Ferdinand Schlöth: Basilisk © Marcel Scheible

Further downstream along the Rhine, one of the original four giant basilisks by Basel sculptor Ferdinand Schlöth greets us at the head of the Wettsteinbrücke bridge on the Grossbasel side. The basilisk is a mythical creature – half cockerel, half serpent – that is a familiar sight throughout the city. Since the Middle Ages, the basilisk has appeared repeatedly in the history of Basel and is a frequent element in architecture and art. It can be found in particularly large numbers at the basilisk fountains, which are scattered throughout the city – around 25 of them still exist today. The Basilisk by Ferdinand Schlöth is depicted as the bearer of the Basel coat of arms and acts as the guardian of the Wettsteinbrücke.

Sharing Bread (2000)

Valery Heussler: Sharing Bread © Marcel Scheible

In Wettstein Park on the far bank of the Wettsteinbrücke, walkers are greeted by a table featuring a mysterious figure with bread. The sculpture represents the “Gryffe-Mähli”, a custom practised by the three Kleinbasel honourable societies of zum Rebhaus, zur Hären and zum Greifen. This is a meal characterised by community and conviviality. Members of one of the societies come together to dine in a festive setting, exchange ideas and uphold Basel traditions. The name “Gryffe” refers to the heraldic figure of the griffin, a chimera with a deep connection to Basel’s history.

Helvetia on the Road (1980)

Die Skulptur Helvetia auf Reisen von Bettina Eichin an der Mittleren Brücke in Kleinbasel. — Bettina Eichin: Helvetia on the Road

Helvetia on the Road can be found on the Kleinbasel side of the Mittlere Brücke. Switzerland’s national personification has broken free of her usual place on the nation’s coins and set out on a journey. After a long walk, she rests on the spur of a wall. She has put down her spear, suitcase, cloak and shield featuring the Swiss cross next to her and looks downstream, apparently deep in thought. Artist Bettina Eichin created the larger-than-life bronze sculpture just a few years after women were granted the right to vote at the federal level.

Find out more about Helvetia on the Road in one of the short films produced by the cultural project “all around Basel | art in public spaces”.

Amazon Leading a Horse (1926)

Die Skulptur Amazone, Pferd führend, von Carl Burckhardt an der Mittleren Brücke in Grossbasel. — Carl Burckhardt: Amazon Leading a Horse

After crossing the Mittlere Brücke, we arrive at the Amazon Leading a Horse at the Schifflände. The sculpture is the last work by Basel sculptor Carl Burckhardt before his death. If you look closely, you can see traces of the work on the plaster model, which was not cast in bronze until three years after Burckhardt’s passing (1926). The artist and passionate rider bought his own horse especially to bring about this modern realisation of the antique motif. 

Claudia ich liebe dich oder so 22/25 Uhr (2001)

Mark Handforth: Claudia ich liebe dich oder so 22/25 Uhr © all around Basel

The art walk ends at the Cargo Bar on St. Johanns-Rheinweg. Here, the artist Mark Handforth shows that a declaration of love can also be art. The glowing declaration of love, which can be translated into English as “Claudia, I love you…or something like that, 10.25 p.m.”, was inspired by a love message scrawled on a wall. It has been installed on the western pillar of the Johanniterbrücke since 2001. The work was initiated as part of “Lokalzeit”, a project for art in context. Originally planned as a temporary installation, the decision to make the declaration of love a permanent exhibition was taken in 2002. Despite the protection provided by the bridge, the work is affected by the weather, which sometimes leads to light failures.

Public art tour

Basel is a living open-air museum – and there is much more to discover. Fourteen additional works in public spaces complement the art walk and showcase the various artistic forms of expression to be found in the city. From striking sculptures and exciting installations to impressive murals – each work on the public art tour shapes the urban space in its own special way.

Theaterplatz_Tinguely_Brunnen — Tinguely-Brunnen

Jean Tinguely: Tinguely-Brunnen

Begin your public-art tour at Theaterplatz, at what is probably one of the city’s most striking works of art in a public space: the Tinguely fountain – also known as the Fasnachts-Brunnen (Carnival Fountain) – by Jean Tinguely. Nine figures spouting water make for an amusing scene. And not without reason: this exact spot used to be home to the stage of the old city theatre. The Tinguely fountain, which was revealed in 1977, is a tribute to the actors and dancers who used to appear here. The figures in the fountain are made from parts of the theatre, which was demolished. The Tinguely fountain is particularly beautiful in winter, when impressive ice sculptures form over the figures.
Richard Serra: Intersection

You will find the next work of art just a short walk away, right in front of the entrance to Theater Basel – Richard Serra’s Intersection. You can’t miss the huge sails made of steel. Planned as part of a temporary exhibition in 1992, the sculpture was subsequently privately gifted to the public.
René Küng: Grosse Mondleiter

The next work of art is right behind this one: the Grosse Mondleiter by local artist René Küng. Curved rungs, most of which are made from tree branches, portray a stairway to heaven above the roof of the theatre. The sculpture, with its linear design, was established on Theaterplatz in 1980.
Thomas Schütte: Drittes Tier

Thomas Schütte’s 3.5 metre-tall bronze sculpture Drittes Tier has watched over the square in front of Baloise Park and Mövenpick Hotel Basel since 2020. This fantasy creature, composed of all kinds of animals, snorts steam like a dragon.
Erik Steinbrecher: Landler und Polka

The art tour continues in the De Wette park. Here, round white fences surround wild undergrowth and trees. It might not look like art at first glance, but the piece was created by Basel artist Erik Steinbrecher. Landler and Polka were created in 2008 as part of the redesign of the park.
Michael Grossert: Lieu dit

Your journey then continues on to Heuwaage. You will quickly spot the bright sculpture Lieu dit by Basel artist Michael Grossert. It is a combination of painting and sculpture, tectonic and organic forms. In 1976, this was new and provocative for Basel. At the same time, though, the sculpture represented friendship between artists. When the piece was destroyed by vandals shortly after it had been revealed, friends painted the opulent object again from scratch.
As part of the all around Basel | art in public spaces project, artists share their enthusiasm for art outside the museum walls. One of the eight short films is dedicated to the sculpture Lieu dit.
Marc Covo: Luege-Lose-Laufe

Head back to the theatre and turn left into Theatergässlein towards the Birsig car park. It looks as though you should be walking upside down on the ceiling here – because there is a pedestrian crossing up there. The piece Luege-Lose-Laufe by Marc Covo has brightened up the little passageway since 1993.
Carl Burckhardt: Ritter Georg

Head along Steinenvorstadt to Barfüsserplatz and take the steps up to Gymnasium Leonhard. At the top of the steps to Kohlenberg, a naked Ritter Georg sits on his horse atop a high pedestal. This elegant bronze statue by Carl Burckhardt was created in 1922 and stands out from afar thanks to its S-shaped silhouette.
Peter Moilliet: Dr. Rudolf Riggenbach

From here, it’s just a short walk to Leonhardskirchplatz. Sculptor Peter Moilliet has placed his own monument to Basel’s curator of monuments and art connoisseur Dr Rudolf Riggenbach here. With an open coat and a smoking cigar, the sculpture of the man himself draws a lot of attention.
Hannes Vogel: Arion, Omar, Schwarzer Teufel, Silberpfeil

Arion, Omar, Schwarzer Teufel, Silberpfeil – these catchy names once belonged to horses in literature from around the world. They are embedded in the floor of nearby Rosshof, to remind visitors of a bygone age. This piece of art is by artist Hannes Vogel.
Alexander Zschokke: Lehrer und Schüler

Next to the collegiate house of the University of Basel at Petersplatz, you will find the sculpture Lehrer und Schüler by Basel sculptor and artist Alexander Zschokke. It is reminiscent of the classical antiquity and religious sculptures of the Middle Ages. The larger-than-life figure conveys discipline, knowledge and honour – values that the oldest university in Switzerland (founded in 1460) still embodies to this day.
Samuel Buri: Gänseliesel

If you now take the Rheinsprung, you will find another work of art by an artist from Basel on a wall on the left-hand side: Gänseliesel by Samuel Buri looks somewhat unfinished. The mural looks like a black-and-white image, with the artist’s utensils on a set of scaffolding. It’s the perfect optical illusion.
Pablo Picasso: L’homme aux bras écartés

Now walk up the Rheinsprung to the Picassoplatz, where you will find the sculpture L’homme aux bras écartés – a weatherproof version of the original work by Pablo Picasso.
Jonathan Borofsky: Hammering Man

If you now head towards Aeschenplatz, you will already be able to see what is probably the largest and most obvious piece of public art in the city. The Hammering Man by Jonathan Borofsky is the final stop on our art tour. The figure carries out its work here in an endless loop: the gigantic, black sculpture, made from aluminium and steel, slowly strikes its hammer three to four times a minute.