Johanniter Bridge, Basel, Switzerland

the basler „rhyschwimme“ (old name „stromschwimme“) is the free water swimming practiced as a leisure activity in the rhine in the city center of basel. it is particularly popular with the local population in midsummer and has recently become a tourist attraction. swimming in the rhine is part of the list of living traditions in switzerland. when i was a child only a few people swam in the rhine, certainly also because there was the sandoz fire in the 80s, as a result of which fire-fighting water contaminated with pesticides got into the rhine, which led to fish deaths downstream to mannheim. nowadays thousands jump into the rhine during the summer months to refresh themselves. swimming in the rhine in basel is the number one popular sport on warm summer days. the city has come up with something practical and innovative for this pleasure: the so-called „wickelfischli“. this is where you can stow your clothes during your swimming excursion in the rhine. the wrapped fish keeps clothes dry - a swim bag in the shape of a fish and an original basel invention. so off to the cool wet at the tinguely museum and under the wettstein bridge, the middle rhein bridge, the johanniter bridge and maybe even the dreirosen bridge and then enjoy a café in the hirscheneck on your way back to give it a second ride 🤪.Read more