Living in Bachletten — Basel neighbourhood
The name Bachletten reveals its origins: "Letten" means clay soil, of the kind that once ran through the marshy terrain along the Birsig and Rümelinbach streams. Until 1870 this was open farmland — then, within just a few decades, an Art Nouveau villa quarter emerged, centred on the Pauluskirche, built by Carl Moser in 1898. With around 42% green space, Bachletten is one of Basel's greenest quarters; in dialect it is affectionately, mockingly nicknamed "Bläächdalbe" or "Alumyyniumdalbe" — a dig at the nearby, considerably more upmarket St. Alban ("Dalbe"). The Zolli, Basel's zoo and the oldest in Switzerland, opened in 1874 and sits right on the quarter's border — fittingly, the tram stop is named "Zoo Bachletten". The Schützenmatte, informally known as "Basel's Hyde Park", serves as a large sports meadow. The area is defined by characterful residential streets lined with older buildings, private gardens and low building density; a striking number of doctors' and therapy practices around Schweizergasse have earned the quarter a reputation as especially popular among physicians. Margarethenpark is within walking distance. Tram 17 reaches the SBB railway station in 8 minutes.
| Population | 13'938 |
| To Basel SBB station (min) | 13 |
| To Marktplatz (min) | 14 |
| To Messeplatz (min) | 16 |
| Green space | 42% |
| Avg. age | 44 |
Period apartments with high ceilings, quiet residential streets, and the Zolli and Schützenmatte just around the corner. Bachletten is Basel for people who like things a little quieter — while still staying close to the pulse of the city.
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