The Burghers of Calais - Basel, Switzerland
Posted by: 
fi67
N 47° 33.246 E 007° 35.652
32T E 394234 N 5267699
The Burghers of Calais is one of the most famous sculptures by Auguste Rodin.
Waymark Code: WMATRZ
Location: Basel Stadt, Switzerland
Date Posted: 02/24/2011
Published By: 3am
Views: 15
In 1347 the French town of Calais was under siege by the English troops for over a year. King Edward III offered to spare the city if six of the most notable burghers would surrender themselves.
The names of the six that volunteered to face execution were:
- Eustache de Saint-Pierre
- Jean d'Aire
- Jacques de Wissant
- Pierre de Wissant
- Jean de Fiennes
- Andrieus d'Andres
When they left the city with nooses around their necks Queen Philippa pleaded for them and she could persuade her husband to spare their lives.
Auguste Rodin completed this sculpture in 1889. The first cast was erected in Calais in 1895. There are 12 original casts, the Basel copy is the 7th, created in 1943. It is located in the inner court of the Kunstmuseum, this is before the main entry and can be visited free of charge during the opening hours of the museum.
Visit Instructions:
You must have visited the site in person, not online.