Basel Paper Mill (Basler Papiermühle)
St. Alban-Tal 37, Basel, Switzerland
Set inside a preserved medieval mill, the Basel Paper Mill is a museum on the art of printing. The smell of ink lingers in the air of the workshops as hands-on exhibits take visitors through the printing process and the importance of the paper and tools used. Thanks to its interactive approach, this museum is especially family-friendly.
Exhibits at the Basel Paper Mill cover four floors of the historic site, providing so much to see and do that you can easily spend 3 hours visiting. City tours don’t usually include the museum because of the time it takes to visit and because it isn’t located in the Old Town. After visiting the Basel Paper Mill, go see the nearby St. Alban City Gate and enjoy the river views from the Wettstein Bridge.
A restaurant and café serving lunch are on-site.
Most rooms at the Basel Paper Mill are wheelchair accessible, and elevators provide access to the different floors.
Various tours offered in several languages by the museum are available for booking.
Visitors with a disability can bring one companion to the museum free of charge.
The Basel Paper Mill is just off the riverfront, a little to the east of the city’s historical center. Visitors already in the Old Town can walk to the museum in about 15 minutes. To get there by public transportation, take the #3 tram to the St. Alban-Tor stop or ride the river ferry to the Basel St. Alban-Tal wharf.
From Tuesday to Friday and on Sundays, the Basel Paper Mill is open from the late morning to the late afternoon. It’s only open in the afternoon on Saturdays, and is closed on Mondays and certain holidays. Going during the week is best if you can, since it’s busier on the weekends.
Alongside its exhibitions, which detail the printing process from blank paper to completed books, the museum holds various interactive workshops. From papermaking and printing to typesetting and marbling paper, these mostly–afternoon workshops are taught by the staff and free to participate in as part of your entrance fee.
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