Escape Routes across the Swiss Border in the Basel Region / Fluchtrouten über die Schweizer Grenze in der Region Basel

Overview

The Memorial to the Refugees of the Second World War in Riehen

During the Holocaust, the Swiss border in the Basel region became a place of hope and uncertainty, particularly for Jewish refugees seeking safety in Switzerland. Riehen, situated directly on the border with Germany, was one of the places where refugees attempted to enter Switzerland. The history of these border crossings reflects both the desperate search for refuge from Nazi persecution and the complex and at times restrictive refugee policy pursued by Switzerland during the Second World War. 

Today, the Memorial in Riehen preserves and communicates this history through personal stories, historical documentation, educational programmes and public events. In doing so, it connects remembrance of the Holocaust and the fate of those who sought refuge with questions of human dignity, responsibility and solidarity.