Basel - Politics and Piccolos: Morgenstreich at Basler Fasnacht 2009 by Mark Sukhija

Fasnacht is the most important date in Basel calendar and, in my opinion, the best time to visit the city regarded as the cultural capital of Switzerland.

Morgenstreich kicks off 72-hours of festivities at 4am on Monday morning with a procession of lanterns and piccolo players through the streets of Basels Old Town. Cold Feburary mornings aren't usually very appealing but get to to Marktplatz or Barfusserplatz early (3am-ish) to bag yourself the best vantage point.

Pick up some Mehlsuppe (a traditional flour soup) to keep yourself warm.

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Basel Fasnacht - Waggis and the confetti Waggis throwing confetti at the Basler Fasnacht cortege in 2012
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Map

Further reading

Basel Fasnacht - display of Fasnacht lanterns - Lanterns of Basler Fasnacht being displayed in Münsterplatz

Basel - great things to do - 8 of the best things to do in and around the city of Basel

Switzerland - sacred destinations - Nine of the finest churchs, cathedrals and monastries in Switzerland

Basel Fasnacht - lanterns at Münsterplatz - Lanterns displayed in front of the Basler Münster on the second day of Basler Fasnacht

Basel - Van Gogh exhibition 2009 - A visit the Van Gogh Exhibition at the Kunstmuseum in Basel

Basel SBB - Deutsche Bahn train - A Deutsche Bahn train sits at the Basel SBB train station

Switzerland - festivals not to miss - Fantastic Swiss festivals to visit through the year

Liestal - Chienbaese 2013 - The Chienbaese procession through the central Altstadt of Liestal

Liestal - Chienbäse - Chienbäse being paraded through the old town of Liestal

Liestal - Chienbäse fire - Chienbäse fire being paraded in Liestal

Basel Tourismus - Official website of Basel City Tourism

About Mark Sukhija

Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook