Friedhof am Hörnli

Friedhof am Hörnli is the central cemetery of the city of Basel, located in the municipality of Riehen in the canton of Basel-Stadt. Covering more than 50 hectares, it is considered the largest cemetery in Switzerland by area. For visitors it is a place of remembrance, a vast green park and an example of interwar cemetery architecture all at once.

What is the Hörnli cemetery?

This is Basel's main burial ground. Although it lies administratively in Riehen, it serves the whole city and is the final resting place of many of its residents. The sheer size means a walk through it takes real time, and the layout of paths and numbered sections makes it easy to find your way around.

History and architecture

The cemetery was built between 1926 and 1932 to plans by a team of architects: Bräuninger, Burckhardt, Klingelfuss, Leu and Suter. Several practices working together produced a clearly ordered composition typical of Swiss modern building of that era. The last stage of expansion, section 12, known as "Im finsteren Boden", was carried out between 1960 and 1963. A crematorium also operates on the grounds, and in recent years it received a new building.

What to see

• The overall layout – a spacious, green and quiet site that suits a slow walk.
• Karl Barth's grave – the resting place of one of the most important Protestant theologians of the 20th century, closely tied to Basel. University material on his life in the city names the cemetery as his last place of rest.
• Sammlung Friedhof Hörnli – a museum of cemetery and funeral culture, founded in 1994 and located on the grounds. It shows how customs around farewell to the dead have changed.
• Award-winning gravestones – the city has published a guide to distinguished grave monuments and trees in the cemetery, showing that the site has artistic and natural value as well.

Opening hours

The cemetery is open daily. From the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October it is open from 7:00 to 19:30. For the rest of the year, from the last Sunday of October to the last Sunday of March, hours are 8:00 to 17:30.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Hörnli cemetery still in use? Yes. It is Basel's working central cemetery, so visitors should stay quiet and respectful of people visiting graves.

How big is it? It covers more than 50 hectares, making it the largest cemetery in Switzerland by area.

When was it built? The main part was built between 1926 and 1932, and the last major expansion was completed in the early 1960s.

Is there a museum? Yes. Sammlung Friedhof Hörnli, founded in 1994, tells the story of funeral culture and of the cemetery itself.

Who is buried here? Among others, Karl Barth, the theologian associated with Basel.

Practical tips

Plan your visit around the opening hours, which change seasonally with the clock change. The grounds are extensive, so wear comfortable shoes and choose a goal in advance, such as the museum or a specific section. The cemetery lies outside central Basel, in the neighbouring municipality of Riehen, so check your route beforehand. Given the nature of the place, limit photography to general views and avoid photographing anyone in mourning.