Basel exhibition has visitors trembling in their boots
No one knows when the next tremor will hit Basel, but that shouldn't deter visitors from attending a new exhibition on earthquakes.
"The earth trembles - here as well" is the name of the new exhibition at the Natural History Museum of Basel, which runs until mid-November.
It is the first time in Europe an exhibition of its size has been dedicated to earthquakes.
The city on the Rhine was destroyed in the 14th century by what was believed to be the strongest earthquake ever north of the Alps, comparable in magnitude to the one which hit western Turkey in 1999.
The exhibition takes a historical and scientific look at the natural occurrence.
Earthquake simulators
Archaeological objects bear witness to the events in Basel of October 18, 1356, simulators give visitors the feeling of what it is like to be caught in an earthquake and monitors switch live to measurement stations recording seismic activity around the country.
A wide-range of activities will accompany the exhibition. The Basel tourist office is organising tours of the city, which, for those that know where to look, is still showing the effects of the 14th century earthquake.
There will also be excursions to once mighty castles - left in ruins after the quake.
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