Ulrich von Ensingen, architect of the towers at the Ulm Minster and the Strasbourg Cathedral, extended the building from 1421.

This road parted at today's position of the Minster where it is presumed there was a small temple that later was replaced by a Roman fort.

The bishop's see was relocated from Augusta Raurica (today Kaiseraugst) to Minster hill during the Early Middle Ages.

According to the archeologist Hans Rudolf Sennhauser this transfer presumably took place at the beginning of the 7th century under bishop Ragnacharius, a former monk of monastery Luxeuil.

At the end of the 11th century a tower made of light-colored limestone and molasse was erected on the western side of the building.

Johannes Gmünd, who was also the architect of Freiburg Minster, rebuilt the damaged cathedral and in 1363 the main altar was consecrated.

In the 20th century the main aim of renovations has been to emphasize the late Romanesque architecture and to reverse some modifications made in the 1850s.

[citation needed] In 1424, Pope Martin V informed Basel’s government that their city has been chosen to be the site of the next council.

Following the orders of Pope Eugene IV, president of the council at that time, Julian Cesarini, left Basel in 1438.

The German Emperor, Frederick III, arranged for the dissolution of the council in Basel because Felix V could not prevail.

[citation needed] During the iconoclasm of the Protestant Reformation, many valuable pieces of art belonging to the city of Basel and the minster were destroyed in 1528 and 1529.

Numerous citizens stormed many of the churches in Basel, some of them by armed force in order to demolish religious paintings and statues.

Huldrych Zwingli, an influential church reformer, condemned the worship of God in the form of pictures as idolatry.

A group of 40 armed men is said to have ascended to the minster from the crowded market place at approximately 1 pm on 9 February 1529.

The impressive treasure of the minster was saved and remained complete until the Canton of Basel was split into "half-cantons" in 1833.

Below the Georgsturm a monumental picture (1372) can be found which shows knight Georg fighting against a remarkably small dragon.

An empty column, which originally carried a statue of the Virgin Mary, is situated between the doors of the main porch.

In contrast, the curvatures depicting prophets and kings, roses, dancing angels and Abraham have been preserved.

The benefactors Henry II and his wife, Empress Kunigunde, are portrayed left of the main porch.

In the portrait, the emperor, depicted as a surprisingly young and beardless man, is carrying a church model in his arms, which identifies him as the benefactor.

The bishop’s residence and the original living quarters for the canons of the cathedral chapter were part of the Minster.