Liestal: Old Town, Törli Gate and Roman History

The Törli Gate shapes the image of Liestal: the Upper Gate is considered the city’s landmark and marks a striking entrance to the old town. The historic centre brings together shops, cafés and restaurants. There are also clear reference points to help you find your way around on your trip: the train station is right next to the old town, with numerous bus stops nearby. When choosing a hotel, you can compare its location with your plans for sightseeing, train journeys and walks.

Old Town, Traditions and Museums

Guided tours of Liestal’s old town focus on the layout of the city, the late-medieval town hall, the Törli Gate and the historic church quarter with St Martin’s Church. A tour of the Torstübli in the Törli also offers a look at the oldest known wooden ceiling in the Basel region; access is available as part of a guided tour, and you should check the options in advance. The Törli is also the main setting for the annual Chienbäse, which attracts tens of thousands of spectators each year. As dates and arrangements may change, it is worth checking the information for the current edition.

Museum.BL is a themed museum for children and adults. Together with Archaeology Baselland, it looks after more than two million objects relating to the canton’s natural and cultural history. The Dichter:innen- und Stadtmuseum Liestal, or DISTL for short, explores the lives and works of important poets as well as the city’s history and traditions. The museum’s poetry collection is based on the estate of freedom poet Georg Herwegh and his wife Emma. The DISTL’s events programme includes readings, lectures, cabaret and poetry slams; check specific dates before your visit.

Augusta Raurica and Roman Life

Augusta Raurica combines archaeological sights with insights into everyday life in Roman times. The archaeological park includes more than 20 attractions, including the best-preserved ancient theatre north of the Alps. At the Roman House, a replica modelled on a townhouse in Pompeii, visitors can explore the home of a wealthy Roman family, with its courtyard, garden and colonnades, banqueting hall, private bath, and bedrooms and study. The furnished kitchen illustrates how people cooked at the time.

The Roman festivals at Augusta Raurica have been held annually since 1999, although individual editions may differ. In summer, visitors can also watch archaeologists at work during ongoing excavations in Augst. This seasonal opportunity makes a visit especially interesting if you are keen to see practical work at archaeological sites.

Nature, Geology and Ruins

The nature reserve around Wildenstein Castle is home to ancient oak trees; the area is a popular destination for excursions and is ideal for walks. An information trail around the castle is accessible at any time. Along the circular trail, a fairytale box tells the story of the legendary Kunigunde; individual installations may change.

The Huppergruben are a geotope of national importance because of their geological faults and visible rock layers. They have also been a nature reserve for more than twenty years and provide a habitat for rare animal and plant species. Local rules may vary, so follow the information displayed on site. In Lupsingen, themed trails with four information panels draw attention to nature and history. At many points, the Geological Trail reveals rock layers that are usually hidden.

The castle ruins also offer concrete points of interest for a cultural and historical excursion. Burghalden Castle Ruins are 150 metres long overall and comprise a rectangular main castle measuring 40 by 25 metres and an outer bailey that covers the entire promontory. It is also the only castle in the region where a chapel’s ground plan can be made out. Altenberg Castle Ruins have a curtain wall along the edge of the slope, a large inner courtyard and an imposing residential tower in the southeast. On both sides, a rampart-and-ditch system visible from above protects the site; Altenberg is one of the oldest castles in the region.

Hikes of Different Lengths

For a shorter outing, an easy 3.6-kilometre hiking route links Liestal with Bad Bubendorf and follows the Frenke River. It starts at the Törli; the route from Liestal train station to the starting point is flat and accessible. At the endpoint, the Waldenburg Railway or a bus provides the return journey, and both are accessible or can be used with assistance. Another tour runs from Lausen via the Huppergruben to Liestal and is 6.08 kilometres long. Seasonal conditions can affect hiking. The route lengths provide a concrete basis for comparison, although no difficulty level is specified for the longer route.

An easy, accessible route runs from the Lampenberg Ramlinsburg stop along the Frenke towards Liestal, passing through fields, forests and meadows. The stop is accessible. Opposite the starting point is Öpfelhüsli, which sells regional products; the tour ends at the Törli. In Arisdorf, meanwhile, numerous cherry trees shape the townscape, and the late-Gothic church dates from 1595. The possible travel experiences therefore range from city history and Roman archaeology to landscapes, geology and walking trails.

Discover more destinations: Liestal, Pratteln, Augst, Bubendorf, Hersberg, Arisdorf, Sissach, Basel-Stadt.

For the wider travel overview: Basel-Land.