Leonhardskirche (St. Leonard's Church), Basel

Saint Leonard's Church (Leonhardskirche) is a remarkable example of Basel's architectural and religious history. Perched on a hill overlooking Barfüsserplatz, the church traces its roots to the Romanesque period, with its crypt dating back to around 1080, and its consecration occurring in 1118. This crypt, adorned with wall paintings and medieval graves, is the oldest surviving part of the original three-aisled basilica.

The devastating earthquake of 1356 destroyed much of the Romanesque church, prompting a Gothic-style reconstruction. By 1360, the new basilica emerged, featuring a flat-roofed choir, two chapels (Marien Chapel and Saint Theobald Chapel), and a bell tower. The transformation into a three-nave Gothic hall church began in 1481, culminating in the star-vaulted ceiling of the nave by 1521, as noted by an inscription from 1492.

In the Reformation era, Saint Leonard’s transitioned into one of Basel's four Protestant churches. By 1525, the city of Basel had acquired the church and monastery. The church avoided much of the iconoclasm of 1529, as its altars and statues had already been stored, including a significant altar by Konrad Witz. The original monastery complex has almost entirely vanished, save for the cemetery hall dating to 1450.

Saint Leonard's Church underwent a major archaeological and restoration project between 1964 and 1968, ensuring its preservation as a historical and architectural landmark. Today, it serves as the French Reformed Church of Basel, embodying a blend of Romanesque, high Gothic, and late Gothic elements.

The church's integration with the city’s medieval fortifications provides a commanding view of its upper structure from Barfüsserplatz, where the best of medieval Basel unfolds. Once neighboring the Lohnhof prison, the area has since been revitalized, adding a layer of contemporary life to this centuries-old edifice.