Grand Council BS Three million francs for historic Celtic wall in Basel

On Wednesday, the Grand Council unanimously approved almost 3 million francs for the redesign of the "Murus Gallicus" archaeological information point in Basel. Basel's first city fortifications from the Celtic period were built in the first century BC on what is now Münsterhügel.

The information point with a view of the remains of the wall under glass pyramids dates back to 1993 and, as part of the public space, was accessible at all times without restriction. When the elementary school on Rittergasse opened in 2020, it had to be redesigned, according to the Education and Culture Commission. The glass pyramids had to be fenced off due to the risk of accidents.

The redesign project therefore provides for a separate entrance. In future, it should also be possible to view the archaeological finds underground. The project will also increase the size of the playground.

The Murus Gallicus once protected the second Celtic settlement in Basel after the abandonment of the village in the St. Johann quarter (gas factory). The fortification was built of wood, earth and stone and had a moat in front of it, according to Basel's city history. The Roman general Julius Caesar already described the appearance of such a rampart in Avaricum near present-day Bourges in France.

SDA