Elisabethenkirche

Basel, Switzerland

The Elisabethenkirche is a well detailed example of Swiss Gothic Revival style churches. It has a 72 metres tall bell tower and spire. The tower has internal stairs. The church was begun in 1857 and completed in 1864. The construction was sponsored by the wealthy Basel businessman Christoph Merian and his wife Margarethe Burckhardt-Merian. They were both laid to rest in black marble sarcophagi in the crypt below the church's main floor.

Today the church is home of the first Swiss 'OpenChurch' or Offene Kirche Elisabethen. The Offene Kirche Elisabethen caters to the spiritual, cultural and social needs of urban people of all backgrounds.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 1857-1864
Category: Religious sites in Switzerland

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.3/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Trisno Hartono (5 months ago)
This curch is supporting lgbtq concept with banner in front of gate
Her. Architecture (6 months ago)
The building is impressive, beautiful details, proportions, vaults... ? Once "for the glory of God", now desecrated into a café, party hall, a "saint" gay!? What? ? It's too much, even for me! "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Or maybe they DO know…?
Lindsey (6 months ago)
We were in town today (10th of April) around 12:30. I asked the cafe if we could go into the cathedral and she said yes but to be quiet because a concert was happening. An angry man came up to us saying a concert was happening and we needed to leave. My husband replied that the woman at the cafe said we could go in and he said okay but to stay in a specific area. I stayed in the specific area he asked us to and he came up to my three children (who were not making a noise) and I and aggressively said “ this is a concert!!!!” I said “yes I’m aware. We are being quiet and in the area you asked us to stay in.” He replied “LEAVE NOW. LEAVE NOW”. I said ok and we started to walk out and he aggressively followed us out. My two younger kids were scared & I replied to him he didn’t need to be rude and aggressive and they should talk to the front cafe people if people aren’t actually allowed in. He said something to the front cafe people and slammed the door. Totally unacceptable. I could understand if I was breaking in or doing something wrong but I wasn’t. And either way, that’s just not how people should talk to one another. Especially with young kids in tow.
dominic scibilia (2 years ago)
An Open Church faithful to mission and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Hospitality, advocacy and action for justice. A community wherein people flourish.
Jasna J (2 years ago)
Constructed from 1857-1865, gothic style, today host all events and opened for community. Must see, although is not in the top 10 amenities...
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Gravensteen

The Gravensteen is a castle in Ghent originating from the Middle Ages. The name means 'castle of the counts' in Dutch. Arnulf I (918–965), Count of Flanders, was the first to fortify this place, building a medieval bastion on this high sand dune, naturally protected by the river Leie and its marshy banks. This bastion consisted of a central wooden building and several surrounding buildings, also in wood.

In the early 11th century, the wooden building was replaced by a stone residence, consisting of three large halls that made up three storeys, connected by a stone stairwell. The monumental stone staircase, the light openings, the fireplaces built into the walls and the latrines were signs of considerable luxury and comfort in those days. There was probably also a tower.