Basel Paper Mill

Basler Papiermühle

An interactive museum of paper, printing, and bookmaking inside a historic watermill.

Set in a former paper mill, the Basler Papiermühle invites visitors to explore the full journey of bookmaking – from handmade paper to typesetting and printing. You can try traditional techniques yourself, crafting paper or printing a page the old-fashioned way. It’s a hands-on tribute to craftsmanship and the rich history of print culture in Basel.

Transport

How to Get There

Ways to get to the attraction

On foot from Basel center 19-29 min.

From Bern by car ~1 h 15 min.

From Zurich by car ~1 h 3 min.

From BRN airport (Bern) by car ~1 h 25 min.

From SIR airport (Sion) by car ~2 h 37 min.

Open in Google Maps

Attraction

Description

Detailed information about the attraction

What is this place

The Basel Paper Mill is a museum of paper, writing and printing housed in a medieval mill on the St. Alban canal. It is a hands-on venue where visitors make sheets, set type and print.

Key features

Opened in 1980 in the restored Galician and Stegreif mills – a rare museum within a working water complex.
Historic water system and wheel – a clear demonstration of St. Alban’s manufacturing power.
Four floors combine live demonstrations of papermaking, letterpress, bookbinding and calligraphy.
Major renewal 2010–2011 – updated displays and enlarged workshops.
Address St. Alban-Tal 37; the neighbouring Papiermühle café makes it easy to pair the visit with a stroll through the “mill quarter”.

What to see

Papermaking shop with vat and deckles – make your own sheet and marbled paper.
Printshop and composing room – hand-setting type and printing on a small press.
Bookbinding area and a “scriptorium” for calligraphy; museum shop and small exhibitions.

History

Paper was first made here in 1453, when a grain mill was converted; later the Düring and Imhof-Burckhardt families expanded the works. By the 18th–19th centuries the site saw other uses and then served as storage.

The private Basel Paper Mill Foundation was established in 1971 to create a dedicated museum. With support from the Christoph Merian Foundation, the complex was restored and inaugurated on 19 September 1980, reviving its craft identity.

During 2010–2011 renewal the displays were reworked and workshop capacity increased. Today it is one of Basel’s most hands-on museums, popular with families and school groups.

Practical information

Location: St. Alban-Tal 37, 4052 Basel – St. Alban quarter on the St. Alban-Teich canal.

Getting there: From Basel SBB or Badischer Bahnhof take tram 2 to Kunstmuseum, then walk via St. Alban-Vorstadt – Mühleberg – St. Alban-Rheinweg. Approaches from Bankverein and Wettsteinplatz also work.

Access: Most rooms are wheelchair-accessible; a lift connects floors. The listed building has some thresholds and narrow passages.

Visiting hours: Tue–Fri 11:00–17:00; Sat 13:00–17:00; Sun 11:00–17:00; Mon closed.

Visit duration: 60–90 minutes for the highlights; 1.5–2 hours if you join workshops.

Best time: Weekday midday or early weekend mornings for fewer groups; rainy days suit the indoor experience.

Notes: Tickets: adults CHF 20, concessions CHF 17, under-16s CHF 11; family passes CHF 38/56; under-5s free. Some stations run at set times – follow staff guidance.

Tours