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Riehen, rural world between city and border
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Besides Bettingen, Riehen is the other rural municipality of the city canton. Although it also happens to be the second-biggest town in north-eastern Switzerland, its inhabitants still lovingly refer to it as a village. Riehen is a favourite residential area and the centre of a recreational area in the immediate vicinity of Basel.
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Riehen, with over 20000 inhabitants, is a small town. But it has kept its village character, with a rich cultural and commercial life of its own. In 1522 Riehen joined Basel and thus became part of the Swiss confederation.
A special feature of Riehen is no doubt its location on the German border. Several international treaties govern cross-border life. Lively agricultural activities that include wine production still bear witness to its rural character. Farmhouses and country estates are important features of its village character and townscape.
Beyeler Foundation
Since 1997, the Beyeler Foundation has brought Riehen to international attention. It is home to 20th century art collected by Ernst Beyeler, the owner of an art gallery in Basel, and has been the stage for important exhibitions and activities. Among these were Christo's Wrapped Trees, pictures of which went round the world.
Other places worth a visit are the medieval fortified church, the late Gothic village church of St Martin, the Municipal Museum, and the country estates of Wenkenhof and Bäumlihof.
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