Morgenstraich
ALL IMAGES COPYRIGHT 2010 KRISTY MAY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The Monday morning following Ash Wednesday is a very special time in Basel, Switzerland. At exactly 4 am, all lights in the city are turned off and the Morgenstraich kicks-off a 72 hour long carnival tradition called Fasnacht. Masked groups playing piccolos and drums parade through the streets with only lantern light leading their way.
Morgenstraich
New Text Area
Gallery
Crowds begin waiting for 4 am in the Market Plaza.
Once the lights are off, the groups called "cliques" parade with their satirical themed lanterns.
A tent adorned with the symbol of Basel offers food and drink.
Cliques parade across the Rhein and the dawn approaches.
A Rhein river cruise ship offer another place to eat during Fasnacht.
Once dawn arrives, most groups head home for a short nap before the next parade starts at 2 pm.
