Tom`s travels: Basel (07/04/2017)

For one of our classes in Strasbourg, we took a trip to the Swiss city of Basel. Our teacher had decided to visit the two main museums there and have our class at their premises. So after taking the flixbus we arrived to our destination and gathered together with the others of our group who had also come by bus or by train. Our first visit was to the Kunstmuseum or Museum of Fine Arts. It contained a collection of art dating from the 15th century to the modern times. Each member of our group had the task to choose one painting among the museum's collection and present it to the rest of the class. I chose Macbeth and the Witches of Koch. After our presentations and touring the rest of the museum, we headed out and were given around one hour to have lunch and do whatever until we met again for the second museum. We decided to head to the Minster or Cathedral which was just a few meters away from the museum. As we had packed lunch to take with use we decided to eat it with the others who had done the same in the small square behind the Cathedral's apse called Pfalz. The square was a really nice spot overlooking the Rhine river below and with a nice view over the city. After enjoying the sun, company and food, Ania and I decided to visit the Cathedral. Built between the 11th and 16th centuries in the Romanesque and Gothic styles, it is characteristic because of its red sandstone architecture and slim twin towers at its sides. After seeing the interior of the Cathedral and its cloister we headed to the meeting point where we all took the tram headed out in the direction of the Beyeler Foundation. The museum built by architect Renzo Piano houses a collection of 20th century art as well as some tribal art from Africa and Oceania. There was also a temporary exhibition which was the focus of our class on Impressionist art including famous paintings of Monet. After touring the museum and then enjoying the sun outside followed by an explanation of what we had seen and learnt that day, our day was over and everyone was free to do as they liked. We decided then to get back in the city and meet with Ania's friend. As we reached the city centre again, we decided to have a drink at the nice riverside across the Rhine with a great view of the old town. After chatting and enjoying the drinks it was stime to head back and catch the next bus to Strasbourg so saying our goodbye we headed to the bus stop where we then took our ride home.