Solothurn inspires as the most beautiful baroque city in Switzerland. Discover the St. Ursus Cathedral with its clock tower and the magic number 11. Enjoy a walk through the old town, the Mediterranean atmosphere on the Aare and a view of the local mountain Weissenstein.
This is Solothurn
Solothurn lies in the west of Switzerland at the southern foot of the Jura. The city is a popular destination thanks to its Baroque architecture, its
old town, and its location on the
Aare.
Discover Solothurn
Your sightseeing starts in the car-free
old town, where charming boutiques invite you to browse and shop. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, colourful market stalls line the Baroque façades on the Märetplatz. From the tower of the
St. Ursus Cathedral, you can take in views across the entire city. On the
Weissenstein, Solothurn’s local mountain, the view stretches all the way to the Alps. Or stroll through the
Verena Gorge to the hermitage. Round off the day at a bistro on the banks of the Aare.
The Old Town and the Number 11
The landmark of Switzerland’s most beautiful Baroque city is the
St. Ursus CathedralJesuit Church. The oldest building is the Clock Tower: its astronomical clock sets a group of figures in motion and strikes the bells. The clock on Amthausplatz, by contrast, shows only eleven hours. In fact, much in Solothurn revolves around the number 11: eleven historic fountains, eleven steps up to the cathedral – and even the local beer is called “Eleven”.
City of Museums and Culture
Solothurn is rich not only in Baroque buildings but also in museums. The
Museum of Fine Arts focuses on Swiss art. A family favourite is the
Natural History Museum. And at
Waldegg Castle, you journey back to the time when Solothurn was the seat of the ambassadors of the French king. It’s also worth checking the cultural calendar: the Solothurn Film Days, the most important festival for Swiss film, and the Literature Days, the largest multilingual Swiss literature festival, are both well known.
Around Solothurn
From Solothurn, it’s well worth taking an
Aare boat trip to the watchmaking metropolis of
Biel/Bienne. In around 45 minutes you can reach the capital,
Bern, with its
old town and the
BearPark. Other excursion tips include the
Thal Nature Park and
Burgdorf Castle.
Experience Solothurn for less
With the
Libero Day Pass, you can use public transport free of charge for one day. Many sights, as well as the Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural History Museum, are also free to visit.
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