Tinguely Fountain

A Splash of Genius and Madness – Tinguely Fountain If Salvador Dalí and Rube Goldberg had teamed up to build a fountain after a night out in Basel, this might be the result. Tinguely Fountain isn’t your average “stand-and-stare” kind of fountain. Nope. It’s a bunch of metal creatures, built from what looks like leftover parts from an old theater backstage, dancing and splashing around like they’re alive—and possibly a little tipsy. Created by the Swiss artist Jean Tinguely in the late 1970s (clearly ahead of his time… or out of it), this kinetic fountain moves, squirts, spins, wobbles, and somehow perfectly captures the chaotic joy of creativity. Each piece has its own rhythm, like a rusty ballet with water jets. I loved how playful and unpredictable it was—like the fountain has a sense of humor. Don’t expect a peaceful moment of reflection here; expect to smile, get splashed, and maybe question the laws of physics. Located right in front of the Basel Theater, it’s basically the city’s most artistic water fight. A must-see if you enjoy quirky, clever art that doesn’t take itself too seriously (and neither should you). 💧 Pro tip: Go when it’s sunny. Watching water fly through the air in golden light is magical. Just don’t stand too close unless you brought a towel.

Another fantastic place to visit in Basel. The water works are great to watch. People liked fo sit here and chill and eat food.

It's ingenious. We visited on a very hot day so it was nice to sit I a shaded area and enjoy the mechanics as well as the coolness of the water close to us.

The Tinguely Fountain is a delightful blend of art and engineering. These kinetic sculptures resembles dancers, each moving in its own unique way. I love it when the sun hits just right and you keep seeing rainbows forming all over the fountain, I think the best time to visit is around 5pm+ when the sun is hanging low!

Brilliant fountain in the centre of Basel comprising moving sculptures which squirt water designed by Jean Tinguely in 1977. Well worth a visit!

Fantastic art installion! The sculptures move in rhythmic harmony, spraying water with wondrous abandon. Brutally mechanical and comforting in one experience. A must see when visiting Basel.

5 stars Quirky, kinetic, and completely captivating. The Tinguely Fountain is one of those spots that’s both whimsical and thought-provoking—a perfect blend of art and motion right in the heart of Basel. I stumbled on it by chance and ended up staying far longer than expected, just watching the sculptures come to life. A must-see if you appreciate creativity with a playful twist. Bonus: it’s totally free and photogenic in any season.

A creative and imaginative fountain. It is one of the most interesting attractions in Basel.