Basel is the city of the Basilisk and around 250 springs. The Basilisk is a mythological creature from ancient Greece, half-cock, half-snake, who, according to legend, also found a home in Basel. This creature could kill with its gaze. The only protection was to hold up a mirror so that it fell dead on the spot or to keep it out of the sunlight, the only time of day when its powers worked.

The Gerberbrunnen

„In dieses Brunnens dunklem Grund haust‘ einst – die Sage tut‘s uns kund – der Basilisk, ein Untier wild. Heut hält er Basels Wappenschild. D‘rauf ward hier ein Gericht gehegt, auch Tanz und Minnesang gepflegt; vom Zunfthaus, das beim Quell dann stand, ward Gerberbrunnen er genannt. Nachdem versiegt er manches Jahr, strömt heut‘ er wieder voll und klar. Kein Drach‘ mehr sinnt in ihm auf Mord, doch lebt ein andrer Drache fort. O Basel, mach‘ von ihm dich frei: der Zwietracht tritt den Kopf entzwei!“

These creatures are the holders of the city’s coat of arms, and they are the guardians of bridges and water wells. The Basilisk fountains were created in 1884 by Wilhelm Bubeck (1851-1890).

Augustinergasse

The city’s coat of arms, in bronze, and a drinking trough at the base are the main features. The water comes from his mouth. A total of 39 were made, and 28 remain nowadays. They are scattered throughout the city and along the banks of the Rhine.

The Wettsteinbrücke (bridge), named after a mayor of Basel (Johann Rudolf Wettstein, 1594-1666), was ready on 7 June 1879. The rapid growth of trade and population in Grossbasel and Kleinbasel made a second bridge over the Rhine necessary. The increased car traffic and the construction of a tramway led to the first widening of the bridge in 1939.

There was collateral damage, however: the four Basilisks that guarded the access on both sides of the Rhine were removed. One Basilisk was moved to the Lange Erlen Animal Park (Tierpark) in Basel, the second to a courtyard in Basel and a third to the village of Meggen on the shores of Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee). The fourth Basilisk also went into exile but was replaced after the renovation and second widening of the bridge in 1996.