Liestal: Old Town, Museums and Roman History

Liestal combines a historic old town with museums, art, Roman remains and hiking trails. If you are looking for a hotel in Liestal, you can plan your stay around these interests: city history, changing exhibitions or time outdoors. The old town is just a few minutes’ walk from Liestal railway station.

Old Town and Architectural History

Liestal’s historic old town is locally known as the Stedtli; it includes the Törli tower. The town hall was built in 1568 and contains Renaissance paintings from 1590. A preserved section of the old town wall is visible behind the parish barn. The openings in the wall section are from the former battlement walkway.

The permanent exhibition at DISTL in the old town explores the history of Liestal and the literature of the canton of Basel-Landschaft. A multimedia introductory show complements the exhibition. A three-aisled basilica in Liestal was built around the middle of the 13th century; its choir was probably rectangular. Roman foundations and earlier buildings dating from the 9th to the 13th century have been documented there. The Olsbergerhof also offers a glimpse into different periods of the city’s history: the late Gothic town house was built in 1571 as the residence of the mayor and served as a refuge for the Olsberg convent for women from 1674 to 1744.

Museums, Art and Demonstrations

At Museum.BL, the permanent exhibition “Silk Ribbon. Capital, Art & Crisis” traces the rise and decline of the silk ribbon industry in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It includes three ribbon looms from the past 250 years. Two are regularly in operation; the dates of these demonstrations may change.

Kunsthalle Palazzo presents exhibitions of contemporary art four times a year, with a regional, national and international focus. The programme includes guided tours, performances, artist talks and workshops for adults and children; the individual exhibitions change. The Swiss Organ and Harmonium Museum offers guided tours with live concerts. Dieter Stalder performs original works on house organs from the 18th and 19th centuries and on various harmoniums, and talks about his collection. Confirm the arrangements for your visit in advance, as booking arrangements may change.

Roman Remains and Visitor Information

You can visit the section of the Roman aqueduct on Heidenlochstrasse in Liestal only in the company of a specialist from Archaeology Baselland. Confirm the arrangements before your visit. The Roman aqueduct from Lausen to Augst can now be walked along at several points; access may vary depending on the section and safety conditions.

In the Röserntal valley near Liestal lie the quiet ruins of a Roman villa, with representative living and economic quarters. You can include these different historical sites as separate stops in your travel plans, without assuming that they have the same visitor conditions.

Views, Hiking Trails and Swimming

The Liestal observation tower is 30 metres high and has 150 steps. In good visibility, the view extends over the Jura heights to the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau trio. Visibility and access for visitors may vary. Numerous hiking trails from Liestal or neighbouring municipalities lead to the tower; check trail conditions before setting out. Hiking routes associated with Liestal include Basel–Birsfelden–Muttenz–Liestal and Liestal–Sissach–Rümlingen–Läufelfingen. Another trail connects Liestal with Bubendorf, Wildenstein Castle, Titterten and Reigoldswil.

Gitterlibad also offers two different swimming facilities: the indoor pool is open for swimming year-round, while the outdoor pool has a 50-metre swimming pool. As indoor pool opening times may change, check the operator’s latest information before your visit.

Carnival and Seasonal Treats

The Chienbäse procession is a Liestal carnival tradition: burning pinewood brooms and fire carts pass through the darkened old town. If you would like to experience this event, check the dates and programme in advance.

In autumn, a seasonal wine tavern has been open in Liestal for more than 20 years. A winegrower serves their own wine and simple dishes there. This type of establishment is also known as a Besenbeiz or Straussenwirtschaft and has been part of the Baselbiet tradition since the Middle Ages; specific opening days may vary. A culinary scavenger hunt uses riddles to guide visitors to various tasting stops offering delicacies and regional specialities. As participating stops may change, it is worth checking the latest information when planning.

Discover more destinations: Pratteln, Augst, Arisdorf, Hersberg, Bubendorf

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