Museum Kleines Klingental, Basel

The Kleines Klingental Museum in Basel offers visitors a fascinating journey through the city’s cultural and architectural history. Situated in the original 1274 building of the former Klingental Dominican monastery, the museum is perched on the banks of the Rhine in Kleinbasel, near the Middle Rhine Bridge. As the only convent building of Basel’s ten major monasteries now open to the public, it uniquely preserves the atmosphere of the pre-Reformation period.

Founded in 1938/39 as the “City and Minster Museum,” the Kleines Klingental Museum showcases an extensive collection of original medieval sculptures from Basel Minster, including Romanesque and Gothic sandstone figures such as dragons, saints, and mythical creatures. These sculptures were replaced with replicas at the cathedral during restoration and are now displayed in this museum for their historical and artistic significance.

The museum’s exhibits include meticulously crafted models that offer insights into Basel's past. Highlights include a city model depicting Small and Large Basel as it appeared in the 17th century, based on Matthaus Merian the Elder’s 1615 bird’s-eye plan, and a reconstruction of the monastery as it stood in 1510, complete with detailed representations of its church, mills, and warehouses. Visitors can also explore a model of the cloister featuring a reconstruction of the Kleinbasel Dance of Death, showcasing its 1460/80 original state.

The museum resides in rooms with well-preserved early 16th-century interiors, adding to its historical allure. Temporary exhibitions, guided tours, and cultural events provide additional opportunities to delve into Basel’s rich heritage.

The Kleines Klingental Museum also offers a glimpse into the monastery’s history, from its establishment by Dominican nuns arriving from Alsace in 1274 to its dissolution during the Reformation in 1557. Despite later transformations-including use as storage, barracks, and stables-portions of the original monastery, such as the founding building and the exterior of the church choir, remain intact.

Whether you’re drawn by its medieval sculptures, historical models, or architectural remnants, the Kleines Klingental Museum is a must-visit site for anyone exploring Basel’s cultural history.