Women's Program at the IPS
The Women's Program will take place daily from 10 a.m. to 4.45 p.m.
Program 1 (Tuesday and Thursday):
Basle and Switzerland
The city of Basel looks back on a lively history going back more than 2,000 years. The first signs of settlement can be traced to the 5th century B.C., when Celtic tribes settled at this bend in the Rhine known as the "Rhine's Knee." Under Roman rule since 44/43 B.C. (large Roman settlement in Augusta Raurica; fortress on Münsterberg), Basel is first mentioned in Roman historical records in a document from the year 374. From the early 7th until into the 14th century, Basel was an Episcopal see, and the city has retained a crosier in its coat-of-arms until today. Following a devastating plague and the Great Basel Earthquake of 1356, the city experienced a revival in the 15th century through the Council of Basel (1431-1448). Paper production, begun here in 1433, as well as the arrival of printing contributed greatly to this revival. Basel became a city of humanists in which, in addition to Erasmus of Rotterdam, Paracelsus, Sebastian Brant and Hans Holbein the Younger also resided at times.
On a multifaceted tour of the city we will get to know the historically important buildings and lanes of Basel's beautiful Old Town. After an ample pause for a typical Swiss lunch in the traditional Löwenzorn Inn, our path takes us into the St. Alban Valley. There, in the historical Gallician Mill, we will learn about the art of paper production, scripture, printing and bookbinding in the late Middle Ages. Following this, we will still have enough time for a casual stroll through the town before heading home at 4.15 p.m.
Program 2 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday):
Badenweiler, Markgräfler Kräuterhof, Lörrach
Badenweiler
"If you only knew what the sun was like here! It doesn't bake, it caresses." Chekov wrote this to his sister in 1904, regarding his stay in Badenweiler. Badenweiler is picturesquely situated in the foothills of the Black Forest. With its Mediterranean climate and warm thermal springs it is a place of recuperation, where Stephen Crane, Hermann Hesse, Theodore Heuss and Johannes Rau, among others, once came to relax. In the year 75 A.D., the Romans erected a settlement here because of the warm springs and named the place Aquare Villae, or "City of Water."
In 1783, Roman baths were rediscovered during construction work. They are today considered to be the largest and best-preserved thermal bath remains north of the Alps.
Markgräfler Kräuterhof (Margravial Herbal Farm)
Step into this unique world of herbs and spices for a brief herbal getaway. We'll stop into the restaurant here for a simple lunch, combined with a sampling of herbs. Afterwards, we'll have a chance to let ourselves be seduced by the selection of fine spices, exceptional teas, quality natural cosmetics and scented potpourris on offer.
You might also take a stroll through the small newly-planted garden and marvel at herbs such as Clary sage, southernwood and monk's pepper tree.
This is the place you'll find everything your herbal heart desires.
Lörrach
Above the rooftops of Lörrach.
In the Rathaus (Town Hall), with its observation terrace, we are at the hub of the economic and cultural center of the tri-country border area of Germany, France and Switzerland. The district town of Lörrach is home to business and service industries and offers a balanced economic structure.
We'll have some light shed on the interesting topic of "General Economic Conditions for Location Development" through an entertaining presentation in the Rathaus. Following this, we can enjoy the wonderful view over Lörrach while taking some refreshment.
