Basel Historical Museum – Barfüsserkirche

The Basel Historical Museum is housed in the former Franciscan church of Barfüsserkirche, whose current building was constructed between 1275 and 1309. Following the Reformation in 1529, the church served as a granary and warehouse, and from 1799 to 1815 as a salt depot, which permanently damaged its floor. Between 1890 and 1894, the city converted it into a museum, which has been presenting the history of Basel from prehistory to the present day ever since. Among the most significant collections are pre-Reformation sacred art, including the Basel Dance of Death (Basler Totentanz) and the treasury of Basel Cathedral (Basler Münsterschatz), as well as the Burgundian War Booty (Burgunderbeute) and a coin collection. The lower level displays medieval tapestries and the city's archaeological collections.