Basel Rathaus (Roothuus)
Built after the great earthquake of 1356 to replace the former seat of government. After Basel joined the Swiss Confederation in 1501, the front part of the building was replaced by the Great Council with an imposing new structure in 1503. The coats of arms of Basel and the 11 other members of the then Confederation adorn the crenellations. A new town hall and connecting building to the rear were built 1504-14. This oldest part consists of three pointed arch arcades, above which is the richly decorated government council chamber. The rear was increased 1517-21 with a Great Council Chamber, which Hans Holbein the Younger was commissioned to paint. In 1535/36 a new chancellery building was erected to the left of the Great Council Chamber (partially preserved).
The front was added to the left of the arcades 1606-08, with the facade kept uniform, so the late-Gothic elements of the town hall, which is a hundred years older, were incorporated. The front of the town hall was combined in terms of painting, as the artist Hans Bock decorated the facade with painted trompe l'oeil.
With the growth of the city at the end of the 19th century and a new canton constitution in 1875, an expansion was necessary. In 1899-1901 the tower and left wing were added. The Great Council Chamber with adjoining rooms was rebuilt 1901-04. The 16th century hall was demolished when the town hall expanded in 1904 in neo-Gothic/ neo-Renaissance style.
Basel Rathaus (Roothuus)
Built after the great earthquake of 1356 to replace the former seat of government. After Basel joined the Swiss Confederation in 1501, the front part of the building was replaced by the Great Council with an imposing new structure in 1503. The coats of arms of Basel and the 11 other members of the then Confederation adorn the crenellations. A new town hall and connecting building to the rear were built 1504-14. This oldest part consists of three pointed arch arcades, above which is the richly decorated government council chamber. The rear was increased 1517-21 with a Great Council Chamber, which Hans Holbein the Younger was commissioned to paint. In 1535/36 a new chancellery building was erected to the left of the Great Council Chamber (partially preserved).
The front was added to the left of the arcades 1606-08, with the facade kept uniform, so the late-Gothic elements of the town hall, which is a hundred years older, were incorporated. The front of the town hall was combined in terms of painting, as the artist Hans Bock decorated the facade with painted trompe l'oeil.
With the growth of the city at the end of the 19th century and a new canton constitution in 1875, an expansion was necessary. In 1899-1901 the tower and left wing were added. The Great Council Chamber with adjoining rooms was rebuilt 1901-04. The 16th century hall was demolished when the town hall expanded in 1904 in neo-Gothic/ neo-Renaissance style.