History

The history of the St. Albanteich is quite something:

Bishop Burkhard von Fenis, city ruler of Basel, founds the first monastery of the city in 1083 already and dedicates it to Saint Alban. He appoints Cluniac monks to whom he leaves the area between the present-day St. Alban Valley and the Birs River, which is mostly covered by riparian forests.

The founding of the monastery bears witness to the city’s increase in prosperity in the 11^th century. During this period, the modest diocesan town of the turn of the millennium develops into a courtly centre with an accompanying craftsmen’s and merchants’ settlement.

If you would like to know how the history of the St. Albanteich continued over the course of the centuries, you will find further information by clicking on the “History” menu item.