Stadtcasino Basel

Stadtcasino Basel is the city's most important concert venue, standing on Steinenberg street in central Basel. For almost two centuries it has served as a home for music, social gatherings and major events. It makes a rewarding stop for anyone interested in concerts, architecture or Swiss history.

What is the Stadtcasino Basel?

Despite the name, there is no gambling here. "Casino" is used in its older sense of a place for social gatherings. The Stadtcasino-Gesellschaft society was founded on 16 February 1824, and operations at Steinenberg began in 1826. The first building, designed by Melchior Berri, combined a club, a restaurant, a concert hall and a multipurpose event space.

How has the building changed?

The complex has been reshaped several times:

• 1876 – the Musiksaal, the main concert hall, was added by Johann Jakob Stehlin the Younger. It was inaugurated on 4 October 1876.
• 1938–1941 – Berri's original building was replaced by a new structure by Kehlstadt and Brodtbeck. The Musiksaal stayed in place.
• 2016–2020 – Herzog & de Meuron carried out a major rebuilding and extension. The architects treated the Stadtcasino as an autonomous, freestanding building, and the two listed halls were renovated in consultation with the historic monuments office.

What is there to see inside?

The highlight is the Musiksaal. Stehlin, an adherent of historicism, drew on elements reminiscent of baroque concert halls. Depending on the stage layout, the hall seats between 1,191 and 1,397 people, 468 of them on the balcony level. It is valued for its atmosphere and is a regular venue for the Sinfonieorchester Basel.

A landmark moment in history

In 1897 the original building hosted the First Zionist Congress. This gives the site significance beyond music, in politics and in the wider history of the 20th century, something Basel guides often point out.

Anniversary year

In 2026 the Stadtcasino marks 200 years of operation (from 3 February), while the Musiksaal celebrates 150 years since its opening. It is a good time to visit, as the programme tends to be especially rich.

Planning your visit

Check the programme and book tickets early, especially for symphony orchestra concerts. The building sits right in the centre, close to the main sights of the Old Town, so a concert is easy to combine with a stroll through the city. You can walk from the Barfüsserplatz area or use public transport.

Frequently asked questions

Can you gamble at the Stadtcasino Basel? No. The name comes from the older meaning of "casino", a place for social gatherings. The building is devoted to culture.

Who designed the Musiksaal? Johann Jakob Stehlin the Younger. The hall opened on 4 October 1876.

Who rebuilt the Stadtcasino in the 21st century? Herzog & de Meuron, between 2016 and 2020.

How many people does the main hall hold? Between 1,191 and 1,397 seats, depending on the stage size.

Where is the Stadtcasino Basel? On Steinenberg street in central Basel, a short distance from the Old Town.

Is the site historically significant? Yes. The First Zionist Congress took place here in 1897.