Rhine Gate

The Rhine Gate was a gate of the city of Basel and Basler once part of the inner city wall. It formed the Porte on the Grossbasel page on the Rhine bridge. Even before the adoption of the Basel urban expansion law of 1859 the gate was demolished in 1839.

There are different theories on construction date of the Rhine gate. On the one hand it is claimed that it had its roots in Roman times. More likely, however, that it was like the Rhine bridge at 1225/26 built by Bishop Heinrich von Thun. At the beginning of the gate tower had a drawbridge but was replaced late 14th century analogy to the completion of the exterior wall by a solid bridge piece. To 1363/64 the Rhine Gate was renovated. From 1376 there is evidence that there were prison cells in the Rhine Gate. On one hand, slight offenses were served there, on the other hand, there were also the so-called " Bat Tower " where serious offenses were no longer pending.

Lower Rhine Gate

Also in 1376 came in the wake of evil carnival riots in the city. Order if necessary Mounted to deny the passage, a barrier chain was attached to the gate after the events. Right next to the gate tower downstream of the so-called " Lower Rhine Gate ", a second archway which was first mentioned by name rose in 1440. Most likely, however, this second goal is older and it was probably built as the drawbridge was abandoned at the gate tower. The earliest depictions of the door showing the tower with a clerestory with surrounding wood paneling.

Equestrian Painting

Around 1420 the Schlettstädter Hans Tieffental renewed at the tower Rhine side, a large existing equestrian image, so as to buy the freedom of the city; it was again renovated in 1450 by Hans Gilgen mountain. 1531 received the Rhine Gate both sides clock with two dials, which were painted by Hans Holbein the Younger. Next a sundial was installed, but which already restored 1543. To make room for the clock, the equestrian painting was removed and re- painted by Hans Holbein the Younger at Low Rheintor again; probably the Rhine Gate and its rider painting was damaged in the fire of Seamen guild 1533.

While construction work on the Rhine Gate from 1617, the painting was again removed. The tower foundations of the gate were unterpült from the Rhine, which made ​​it necessary repairs. Since we were not familiar with such a complicated construction work in Basel, were water pumps from Nuremberg and the Strasbourg master for water projects, Hans Fuchs invited to attend. In February 1619 the renovation work was completed; the painter Hans Bock the Elder was charged with his sons, with the creation of a new tab image at Lower Rhine gate. From 1669 to 1671 the Rhine Gate was renovated again because of foundation damage. 1674 the watch house, the Lower Rhine Gate and partly the sailors guild were renewed with the help of the foreman from Colmar, Mulhouse and Rheinfelden. The retail Basel facing side of the Rhine gate received a pinnacle wreath, whose battlements were provided with the coat of arms of the 13 original sites.

Lällenkönig

1641 a large -than-life, driven in copper sheet header appears at the Rhine Gate, to the left of the Rhine side mounted clock. This was associated with the movement, twisted every second his eyes and stuck his tongue far beyond 10 cm. This by Daniel Neuberger constructed from Augsburg grimace had the acquisitions Lällenkönig. After canceling the Rheintors the Lällenkönig came to the Historical Museum and is on display in the Barfüsserkirche.

Prison use

The Rhine Gate made ​​as gloomy prison justice history, as the rebellious against authority leader of the guild committees, Johann Fatio was imprisoned here in 1691. The Basel Ancien Régime took revenge for the rebellion of the citizens and let Fatio heads with two companions in misfortune on the marketplace. Despite the Flehbitten Fatios members whose head on the Rhine Gate was plugged on the clock and put on display in order to suppress further rebellions.

From time immemorial, there was also the residence of the court servant in the Rhine Gate. The long use of the tower to prison purposes is still occupied in 1806 with the purchase of a grinding castle for the prisoners in the local target. Between 1700 and 1702, there was next to the gate tower to new buildings, with the neighboring Lower Rhine Gate was provided with a battlement; while the equestrian paintings disappeared definitely.

Demolition

The last major repair of the Rhine Gate dates from 1719, which complained the owner of Seamen guild over considerable damage to the building. In addition met the narrow passage through the gate of the traffic from the St. Johanns-Tor, from the bridge over the Rhine and of the United Basel's city center. From 1815 to advise on the Elimination of this bottleneck, 1836 one worked out concrete plans to that provided for the widening of the " iron gate " to tear down the Rhine gate, called the Lower Rhine gate, Seamen guild and the guardroom.

In February 1839 the Rhine Gate was demolished eventually. The residents complained that defiant, but venerable gate would have the narrow streets and the Schiffslände very obscured. The disappearance of the Rhine gate with the clock tower then no one regretted, because the clock often went wrong and percussion they had none.