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exploring taste—santa margherita gruppo vinicolo City Guide 3. BIRD'S EYE JAZZ CLUB places—the timeless elegance of basel

photography Harold Cunningham/Getty Images Basel Kohlenberg 20, Basel

The Bird’s Eye jazz club in Kohlenberg has a rep-
utation for being one of the best jazz venues in
Europe, attracting a constant and faithful flow
of lovers of the genre. It is a small intimate club,
with perfect acoustics, hosting the best interna-
tional jazz interpreters five nights a week. Bird’s
Eye is also open to young talents and welcomes 5. OLD TOWN
photography Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images 47°3330N 7°3518E
many locals and national acts. The venue also
hosts several jazz workshops which often attract
a younger crowd. History speaks loud and clear in every corner of
• www.birdseye.ch Basel’s Old Town. Many buildings date back to

the fifteenthcentury and comfortably stand next
to the projects of famous international architects.
The historical quarter of the city is enjoyable on
foot, visitors can follow the blue symbols along
the road to discover the hidden treasures. St. Al-
bans is a true hot spot, this is where visitors can
1. 2. 1. TINGUELY MUSEUM make the most out of the best of Basel museums
Paul Sacher-Anlage 2, Basel and culture. Steinenberg – the cinema, theatre
and entertainment quarter – is well known for
The Tinguely bears the same name as the Swiss Art Basel, one of the largest contemporary art
painter and sculptor the museum is dedicated events in the world.
to, Jean Tinguely. The gallery is located in Sol- • www.basel.com
itude Park, facing the Rhine; it was designed by
architect Mario Botta from Ticino and has been
rd
open to the public since October 3 1996, more
than twenty years ago. The sculptures belonging photography Mark Niedermann
to the artist – bestowed by his wife Niki de Saint 4. SET & SEKT
Phalle – belong to the permanent collection along Rümelinspl 5, Basel
with illustrations, photos and other kind of docu-
as Abraham-Louise Breguet and Frédérick Japy – to whom we owe the appli- The stats of Baselword outline a market in great shape. During the 2016 edi- ments related to his life and work. Inaugurated in 2007, Set&Sket is a concept store
cation of a new type of “caliber” in the new industrial production – Switzer- tion, 145,000 people from more than 100 countries visited the fair, according • www.tinguely.ch that, according to its website, “offers a selection
land managed to “beat its competitors in watchmaking”. to a press release signed by the organizers. Furthermore, 4,400 people from the of merchandise from young or well-established
Several factors led to the perfect unison between Switzerland and watches, press dedicated to watches and luxury jewels attended the event, which empha- designers”. The store of owner Corinne Grüter
most of all, the industriousness of the Helvetian people, which is an integrant sizes the media focus on a growing business. Usually, about two thousand ex- has an aspirational core, merging fashion and
and inextricable part of their DNA. Surprisingly, also the geography and cli- hibitors sign up (last year there were 1,800). Among them there are several pres- culture. The stands display shoe selections, men’s
mate of the area played a part. During the 1800s, peasants began to spend tigious international brands: Hermès, Bulgari, Rolex, Mondaine, Hamilton and and women’s apparel, jewelry, books and presti- 6. FONDATION BEYELER
their time during the rigid alpine winters manufacturing pieces of watches Tudor who participate every year, adding to the charm and success of the event. gious magazines. The merchandise is presented Baselstrasse 101, Basel
and clocks, in order to supply the rising brands in Geneva, a final destination During its visit in 2015, the New York Times was a little surprised to find out 2. FLEA MARKET on concrete hanging cubes. To emphasize the
for Huguenots escaping persecutions in France. how in Baselworld the act of leaning over the wrist of a complete stranger to Uferstrasse, Basel charm of the array, there’s a lacquered steel sculp- Standing out on the Baselstrasse, the collection
At the beginning of the 1900s, Switzerland was racing against the United appreciate the composition, setting and price of a watch, is not a sign of bad ture made by Andreas Bründler, which serves of art dealer and collector Ernst Beyeler – which
States to lead the business, but the country eventually managed to change its manners, but “simply a way of saying hi”. The city of Basel is renowned for its numerous also as a bar. took over 50 years to collect – is open all year
strategy, penetrating the market of impeccable products sold at average pric- Within the largest international exhibition of workings, cases, watchbands colorful flea markets and car boot sales. In Peter- • www.setandsekt.com round. Fondation Beyeler was its founder’s an-
es. Brands like Longines, Patek Philippe and Vachteron re-oriented their ac- and high end chronographers, a visitor may find a new micro-environment splatz, every saturday morning Basel comes alive swer to the wishes of the citizens of the city to
tivities to seduce the American consumer. A profoundly decentralized State, where bold innovation meets artisan Swiss tradition. This allows for a fasci- with color of the market stalls and second-hand move his collection to a new museum, eventually
where political and organizational levels span from the national executive to nating hybrid, the result of a match between old school abilities and the an- objects, from rare antiques to clothes for the little designed from scratch by Renzo Piano. The col-
the most hidden valleys, seems to replicate on a larger scale with the division ticipation of future trends. Baselworld is firmly rooted in the past, but always ones. Here you can find anything and everything lection features sculptures from every continent
of labor and precision that belong to a fine watchmaker. up to face what’s next. you would need for everyday life, at a discount in the world, including Monet’s water lilies. Pia-
price. The most attentive and daring visitors know no designed a peculiar rooftop in order to maxi-
1. – 2. where to go to find what they are looking for. Peter- mize the diffusion of light within the Fondation
At Baselworld visitors will not only find watches:
the industry’s largest international trade show also splatz is certainly the right place to find a bargain. through mobile workings.
deals with fine jewelry and luxury accessories • www.basel.com • www.fondationbeyeler.ch

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