St. Johann Capelle

St. Johann Chapel sits on the edge of Münsterplatz in Basel, tucked so close to the Minster that most people miss it. The Minster has its towers and stained glass. This chapel has plain stone, a simple roof, and a long memory. Records suggest a chapel stood here by the mid-19th century, maybe 1841, though the details blur.

It is small, which works in its favor. The Minster commands attention; St. Johann waits for whoever notices. The stonework is unadorned, the outline unremarkable, but the building has held its ground for over a century. That counts for something.

After the Reformation, chapels across Basel lost their altars. St. Johann reportedly became a fruit storehouse, the “Fruchtschütte.” Picture baskets of pears stacked where pews might have been. Practical, if not holy. Later, worship returned, and the building kept both histories in its walls.

Inside there is little to remark on. A few benches, whitewashed walls, and quiet. It feels more like a meeting room than a church, which might be why it still feels approachable. No grandeur, no spectacle, just space for whoever comes.

Today the chapel is open for small services and occasional events. Most people cross the square toward the Minster and never stop. But the few who step inside find a reminder that buildings can survive by being modest, not magnificent.