Basel and the Missed Carnival
This past week was hectic but incredible. All I want to do is talk about how much I loved Prague last weekend, but I'd like to keep this going in some sort of chronological order, so first I will step back to the previous weekend when I travelled to Basel, Switzerland.
I chose Basel on the recommendation of a friend who lives just a few hours away and had agreed to come visit me, and I am thrilled with the decision. We walked around the city, through the red sandstone architecture in Münsterplatz, into the university's botanical gardens and to the Museum Tinguely which houses kinetic sculptures and eerie modern art. My only regret is that we do not have the opportunity to visit during the Carnival of Basel...
Known locally as Basler Fasnacht, the carnival is the largest in Switzerland and is said to be the only Protestant carnival in the world. It takes place every year between February and March and lasts exactly 72 hours, beginning on the Monday following Ash Wednesday. The participants dress up in costumes with a mask called a Larve, and remain anonymous throughout the festivities. At exactly 4am on the first day the events begin, the lights in Basel's old town are turned off and the next three days are non-stop action with concerts, confetti, parades and lanterns.
Click through here to see a short video from the 2007 Carnival by YouTube user Almaschy Flamin.
The carnival has similar roots to other celebrations surrounding Lent; it marks the end of a period of abstention, allowing people to begin consumption of rich foods and drink that were previously restricted. It is believed that the term comes from the Medieval Latin phrase carne vale, which translates to "flesh farewell", referencing the departure from eating meat during the fast.
Some day I hope to return and experience it all, a sentiment I tend to harbour for most places I visit. The only difficulty is finding the time when there are so many places out there to explore!
If you're looking for more things to do in Switzerland, check out Jen Reviews' 100 Best Things to do in Switzerland, which is packed with practical tips and advice. Will definitely have to find the opportunity to head back and check out some of those suggestions!
I chose Basel on the recommendation of a friend who lives just a few hours away and had agreed to come visit me, and I am thrilled with the decision. We walked around the city, through the red sandstone architecture in Münsterplatz, into the university's botanical gardens and to the Museum Tinguely which houses kinetic sculptures and eerie modern art. My only regret is that we do not have the opportunity to visit during the Carnival of Basel...
Basler Münster with its clock and sundial, a Protestant church in Münsterplatz, Basel
Known locally as Basler Fasnacht, the carnival is the largest in Switzerland and is said to be the only Protestant carnival in the world. It takes place every year between February and March and lasts exactly 72 hours, beginning on the Monday following Ash Wednesday. The participants dress up in costumes with a mask called a Larve, and remain anonymous throughout the festivities. At exactly 4am on the first day the events begin, the lights in Basel's old town are turned off and the next three days are non-stop action with concerts, confetti, parades and lanterns.
Click through here to see a short video from the 2007 Carnival by YouTube user Almaschy Flamin.
The carnival has similar roots to other celebrations surrounding Lent; it marks the end of a period of abstention, allowing people to begin consumption of rich foods and drink that were previously restricted. It is believed that the term comes from the Medieval Latin phrase carne vale, which translates to "flesh farewell", referencing the departure from eating meat during the fast.
Some day I hope to return and experience it all, a sentiment I tend to harbour for most places I visit. The only difficulty is finding the time when there are so many places out there to explore!
If you're looking for more things to do in Switzerland, check out Jen Reviews' 100 Best Things to do in Switzerland, which is packed with practical tips and advice. Will definitely have to find the opportunity to head back and check out some of those suggestions!
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