Neue Welt

Geschichte

The Neue Welt is a sub-district of Münchenstein, in the canton of Basel-Country in Switzerland.Geographical locationThe geographical area called the Neue Welt evolved in the 17th century as the industry started establishing itself around the upper end of the "St. Alban-Teich". This is a canal, artificially constructed by the Basler Kloster St. Alban during the 12th century, so as to bring water and water power to the industry in Basel. Later, during the years 1624–25, the canal was prolonged through Brüglingen towards the Birs waterfall in Münchenstein and from here the water is diverged.The Neue Welt is the northernmost district of Münchenstein. Neue Welt lies along the western bank of the river Birs. To its east it borders on the municipality of Muttenz and to the west it borders on Dreispitz, a business and economic service neighbourhood that lies half in Basel and in Münchenstein. To the north Neue Welt borders on St. Jakob an der Birs, this was the site of the famous Battle of St. Jakob an der Birs, on 26 August 1444.History and places of interestThe hammer mill (Hammerschmiede), built in 1660 by Ludwig Krug, is the oldest building situated on the banks of the canal. In 1822 the hammer mill was refurbished as a cotton-spinning mill by Felix Sarasin (1771–1839). The hammer mill was restored and completely refurbished in 1970 by the Chr.Merianische Stiftung and was placed under monument conservation a year later.