Basel and the Basilisk

The basilisk figure can be found all over the city of Basel in different versions: on bridges, fountains, and house fronts. This figure is a central symbol of Basel: due to the similarity of the names Basilisk and Basilea (Roman name for Basel), the population of Basel connected the two names to each other although, originally, the name of the city supposedly has nothing to do with the basilisk - the name of the city presumably has Roman origins.

In Basel, the basilisk is a legendary figure which dates back to the Middle Ages. It is believed that this “little king” lived in a cave by the Gerber fountain (Gerberbrunnen). People were afraid of him, for his glance could petrify or even kill people. The population of Basel was so afraid of the basilisk that in 1474, a rooster was condemned to death for laying an egg, which was against nature (since it was male). The population feared that a basilisk would hatch out. Consequently, the rooster was decapitated and the egg was burned.

source: http://www.basilisk-basel.ch/

source: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilisk_(Mythologie)#Basel

source : http://www.altbasel.ch

photo credit: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilisk_(Mythologie)#Basel

photo credit: http://www.basilisk-basel.ch/

photo credit: http://www.baselinsider.ch