High Bannstein (Gempenplateau)
The Hohe Bannstein is an old boundary stone at the northernmost point of the main part of the canton of Solothurn . It marks the border between this canton and the canton of Basel-Landschaft and the place where the areas of four municipalities meet.
The boundary stone lies on the ridge between the Ergolztal and the Birstal , 3.5 km east of Arlesheim , and on the northern edge of the Gempen plateau . It marks a corner point in the course of the canton border. At this point, the areas of the Solothurn community of Gempen and the Basel landscape communities of Muttenz in the Arlesheim district and Pratteln and Frenkendorf in the Liestal district meet . This is also where the border between these two districts begins. Most of the area around the Grenzstein belongs to Muttenz in the area of the Stierenwald on the northwest side, Frenkendorf owns the second largest portion in the east with the Gmeinacher area, and the third largest section is in Chilchhölzli in Gempen in Solothurn; a narrow strip of forest leads from the Pratteler Horn to the Hohen Bannstein.
The square limestone column bears the Solothurn coat of arms on the southwest side (in the direction of Gempen) and the bishop's staff as the Basel coat of arms on the other three sides. Numbers engraved on the Frenkendorfer and Gempener side are not clearly interpreted. At most, they refer to the setting of the stone by the cities of Basel and Solothurn, possibly in the 18th century.
Forest and hiking trails lead to the Hohen Bannstein from all directions ; A forest road recently joined the forests of Muttenz and Frenkendorf in the immediate vicinity. The hiking route from Liestal via the Schauenburgfluh to Arlesheim runs along the paths at this point.
The Hohe Bannstein forms an important point of the annual ban days of the four communities on Ascension Day . Working together to control the boundary stones around the municipality also leads the groups from all municipalities to this central location. The mobs from Muttenz ritually sing about every boundary stone with a traditional banquet saying.
Individual evidence
Coordinates: 47 ° 29 '48.7 " N , 7 ° 39' 57.6" E ; CH1903: 617 133 / 260702