As we walked onto the Marktplatz a grand red coloured building caught our immediate attention. Having grown to a considerable size in 1875, the new Cantonal Constitution is said to have required a bigger administrative building following Basel joining the Swiss Confederation, thus the rebuilding of the Assembly Hall, which has turned into the actual Townhall.
The paintings on the interior and exterior facade are Law and Legislation oriented, as well as associated with heraldry of the Confederation members and cantons therewith associated, along with a number of historic and legendary figures.
The exterior of the Town Hall shows a frieze of childlike warriors on the left with angels of victory crowning Basel's shields with laurel wreaths. The figure of Justitia at the height of the front Chambers is clearly a reminder of its importance and function in law.
A mock balcony on the top depicts weapon bearers and peaceful citizens and children. The Proclamation balcony on the tower bears the words "Here begins Swiss soil". The Southern tower wall depicts Hans Bär, said to have fallen in battle in 1515.
The imposing sculpure of Munatius Plancus, the founder of the Roman city of Uagusta Raurica is to be seen on the left side of the stairs leading up to the Assembly Hall in the courtyard, where several paintings depicting Heinrich II and his wife Kunigunde, the patrons of the city of Basel, are to be found.
We strolled around admiring its beauty from different perspectives till we were tired of looking up and made our way to the surrounding area, to just find that many buildings also bore paintings on their walls. We finally sat on a secluded "platz" with some cozy corners and a rather interesting fountain with a monkey sculpture.
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