Rathaus Basel-Stadt, Basel, Switzerland
The Basestown Hall, known as Roothuus is a 500-year-old building dominating the market square in Basel, Switzerland. The Town Hall houses the Cantonal Parliamentary Assembly as well as the Cantonal Government of the Canton of Basel City.
The Great Council Chamber at one time featured a series of frescoes painted in 1522 by Hans Holbein the Younger. Fragments of the work as well as some of the original drawings are kept in the Kunstmuseum.
“Town Hall” literally means “council house” while the term “Roothus” in the local Basel German dialect means “council house” but also sounds like “red house”, a pun with reference to the red sandstone facade of the building.
Visit Switzerland. Epic Switzerland Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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