400 years ago, Matthäus Merian presented the Basel City Council with his large bird’s-eye view of Basel. For the first time, it provided an accurate depiction of the medieval-style urban layout, which was sharply demarcated from the surrounding countryside by the city walls. Today, it serves as an indispensable source of the city’s history. Together with the city model at the MkK from the 1950s, it has been rendered in 3D. The exhibition sheds light on Merian’s sources of inspiration and working methods, as well as on how Merian shaped later perceptions of the city—right up to modern, georeferenced surveying. At the same time, the launch of a new website gives visitors the opportunity to explore Merian’s city on their own and access information. The city’s skyline, its enduring character, and its transformation are a timely topic in light of planned large-scale new construction projects.

Exhibition at the Museum Kleines Klingental, Unterer Rheinweg 26, 4058 Basel (Map)

• For more information and event details, visit: Museum Kleines Klingental
• Additional information on the Merian map can be found on the blog of the Basel-Stadt State Archives

Illustration: Nova et genuina descriptio inclytae urbis Basileae / per Matthaeum Merian fideliter depicta et sculpta, University Library of Basel, Map Collection Schw Ml 4 (detail)