Laufen
Laufen lies along the Birs River, its compact old town set between the wooded folds of the Jura. Known locally as the Stedtli, the historic centre is defined by closely built houses, tiled roofs and a slender church spire rather than grand urban avenues. Laufen received town rights in 1295 and was long associated with the Prince-Bishopric of Basel, a past reflected in its enclosed, medieval-scale street pattern. The town stands in the Laufental, a narrow valley in northwestern Switzerland where the Birs cuts through the Jura towards Basel. In 1994, after a local vote, the Laufental district became part of Basel-Landschaft, giving Laufen its present cantonal affiliation.
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Few towns in Basel-Landschaft have a history as closely tied to the former Prince-Bishopric of Basel as Laufen. Set on the Birs in the Laufental valley, the town lies among the folded slopes of the Jura, close to Switzerland’s border with France. Laufen is the administrative centre of its district, and its compact historic core reflects its long role as a local centre. In 1994, the Laufental district transferred from the canton of Bern to Basel-Landschaft after a series of popular votes, a notable chapter in Switzerland’s federal story. Rail and road routes still follow the Birs valley toward Basel and Delémont. Discover other points of interest through webcams located across Laufen and the Laufental valley.
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Basel-Landschaft extends from the Rhine plain beside Basel to the wooded folds of the Jura, encompassing fertile valleys, vineyard slopes and upland pasture. The canton surrounds the city of Basel on much of its Swiss side, yet its identity is distinctly rural beyond the urban fringe. Liestal, the cantonal capital, sits on the Ergolz River, whose valley links the Jura with the Rhine. Near Augst, Augusta Raurica preserves the remains of a Roman colony founded around 44 BC, including a theatre. Fasnacht customs and seasonal cherry orchards add another layer to this compact northwestern corner of Switzerland. Discover other points of interest through webcams located across Basel-Landschaft.
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Switzerland stretches from the Jura Mountains in the northwest to the Alps in the south, encompassing a central plateau of cities, farms and lakes. The Rhine rises in the Swiss Alps, while Lake Geneva forms part of the country’s southwestern border. Zürich, Geneva and Basel are major urban centres, yet mountain railways and passes remain central to how many regions are experienced. Four national languages—German, French, Italian and Romansh—reflect Switzerland’s distinct cantonal identities. The Matterhorn above Zermatt is among Europe’s most recognisable peaks, and the 1291 Federal Charter is closely associated with the country’s founding tradition. Continue through nearby webcams to explore different parts of Switzerland.
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