South of the Old Town, Basel

On the south side of Basel's old town, behind the Elisabethenschanze with the Strasbourg monument of F. A. Bertholdi, is the main railroad station (Bahnhof SBB), built 1905-1909 by Emil Faesch and Emanuel La Roche. The imposing Neo-baroque facade with its high concourse is framed between domed towers. Adjoining it is the Centralbahnplatz (underground passage with shops, information bureau and cafe) surrounded by big hotels.

Nearby the main Basle railroad station stands the circular tower block (architect Burckhardt; 1977) of the Bank for International Settlements (Bank für Internationalen Zahlungsausgleich, BIZ). It was founded in 1930 at the Hague Conference and today is at the center of the international gold and currency markets as well as the European money market.

In the Birsig valley is Basle's large and interesting zoo (Zoologischer Garten; restaurant), affectionately known as the Zolli by the people of Basle. Founded in 1874 with 510 European animals it contains mainly exotic species. It comprises a vivarium (fish, penguins, reptiles), a bear enclosure with different species, an excellent monkey house (1970 orangutans, gorillas, proboscis monkeys, etc.), an aviary (1927) with indigenous and exotic birds, birds of prey, an antelope house and children's zoo. The zoo has been particularly successful in breeding rhinoceros. The elephants put on a performance in a special arena and give rides to children.