At the center of the 270° multimedia installation is the long history of the minster, made experienceable from the first Carolingian structure (820 AD) to the late Gothic reconstruction (1500 AD). At the same time, the carefully staged permanent installation forms the main highlight of an urban tour connecting original archaeological sites from the Celtic, Roman, and medieval history of Basel.
This mysterious site beneath the intersection remained shrouded in darkness for almost a century. Only in 1966 did archaeologists begin to work their way through the rubble and masonry. In doing so, they revealed the only place in the cathedral where remains of all earlier construction phases are visible. The space then remained untouched for another 50 years, with only a basic visitor platform installed for expert access. It was not until the anniversary year 2019 that the fully restored space was brought back to life.
The walls of the crypt bear witness to more than a thousand years of history, explained through panels along the base of the structure, a large display cabinet with numerous artifacts, and a multimedia projection that transforms the crypt walls themselves into a visual interface, offering deep insight into the history of the cathedral and the city of Basel.
Following the construction history of the minster and crypt, the installation also tells the story of Basel’s urban transformation. Light and sound effects designed by jangled nerves and Idee & Klang enhance this experience, making particularly the fire of the cathedral in 1185 intensely tangible. Considerable effort was invested in an appropriate, restrained sound mix, as a crypt is not a cinema, but a mystical space.
The media staging resembles a shadow play: performers and objects are visible only as silhouettes. Great emphasis was placed on authenticity in the production of the filmed sequences: costumes and props had to be historically accurate and convincing in every detail, including characteristic movements such as a medieval stonemason striking stone with traditional tools.
