BASEL-STADT: 4 PRoPoSALS - ETH Basel

Fish Market / Spiegelgasse
As the name says, fish were sold on the Fish Market. There
was a law in 1623 stating that it was illegal to sell fish longer
than three hours after their death. After three hours they
were sold in the so called “Schelmenbank“ to poor people.
To keep the fish fresh for as long as possible, they were
kept alive in cages which were hung in the fountain. After
sundown the tail fins of unsold salmon were hacked off under
the supervision of the “Fischbeschauer“, so everyone knew it
wasn’t fresh anymore and unfit to be sold.
Those who couldn’t afford to buy fish, were allowed to fish
for personal use in the Rhine. It wasn’t until 1526 that a law
against privat fishing in the Rhine was issued by punishment
of either a fine or loosing an eye.
The beginning of the 20. century brought change: tram traffic
was intensified and in 1937 a railway leading through the city
– Food in Basel II – – City Core: Central Market –
centre was planned. Spiegelgasse marks the beginning of that
railway, which has never been finished.
Because of public transport the fish market has no real market
function anymore and traffic has become the dominating
element (“Storchen“ parking).
Interesting is the fact that Migros and Coop (“Fischmarkt“) are
selling their flowers onto the site of the Fish market.
– 534 – – 535 –
DRAFT
Fish market today
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