This chimeric fountain stands on Freiestrasse at the corner where Münsterberg leads up to the cathedral. It sports four basilisks, each spouting its own stream of water, a column incorporating a Doric lower part and a Corinthian style capital, three dolphins and a trident, hardly a cohesive combination. But perhaps that suits the jumble of branded merchants that crowd Basel’s most fashionable retail street.

It was built in 1837 by the Swiss architect Melchior Berri, who also designed the world’s first tri-coloured stamp, Die Basler Dybli (The Basel Dove). The stamp was issued by the Basel city canton in 1845 for letters up to 15 grams to be delivered within the city and cost two and a half Rappen (100ths of a Swiss Franc); because only around 40,000 copies were printed, originals are now worth over A$20,000.

In this shot, Basel’s gold man is also visible, a performance busker regularly seen around the touristed areas. His little gold mechanical bulldog barks, jumps or wriggles enthusiastically whenever coins are dropped into its tin, making it seem astoundingly aware; it is most likely controlled via a wire hidden in the leash.