Solothurn

Pronounced like SOLL-Low-Toorn for English speakers, it is called Soleure in French and Soletta in Italian; the average visitor will not need to know these, but it might help to understand references or announcements.

With a population of 17,000, Solothurn is small even by the standards of Switzerland. The town and canton are traditionally Catholic, but not strictly so and the only concern for the average visitor will be if the shops are closed for a holiday. There are churches of various denominations in Solothurn.

Solothurn's history dates back to Roman times. The first Roman settlement of Salodurum is dated between 15 und 25 BC, so Solothurn officially celebrated its 2000 year jubilee in 2020. Later, around 350

BC, the Romans built their "Castrum Salodurum", a bell-shaped walled fort. The remains can still be seen at Friedhofplatz and in Löwengasse.

Because the French ambassadors to Switzerland had their seat in Solothurn from 1530 to 1792, the city is also called "Ambassadorenstadt" ("city of ambassadors"). Solothurn still bears signs of the presence of the ambassadors and their lavish lifestyle. The name St. Ursen City recalls the legend of the two Roman legionnaires, Urs and Victor, who were beheaded in Solothurn due to their Christian beliefs. In honour of their martyrdom and the associated miracles, both were declared city saints. St. Ursen Cathedral dominates the city skyline and is its emblem. The third popular nickname Wengistadt refers to Niklaus von Wengi, a Catholic mayor of Solothurn in the 16th century who prevented a religious war between the Catholic and Protestant Solothurners, according to legend by standing in front of a cannon that was ready for shooting, declaring that he should be the first burgher to die if his fellow Catholics were willing to attack the Protestants. A large painting showing Wengi in front of the cannon is on display in the Altes Zeughaus military museum.

Solothurners are very fond of the number 11. With 11 museums, fountains, chapels and churches, and a clock with a dial that only shows 11 hours, and there are numerous references to 11 in the design and construction of the cathedral. Not to mention the local beer called Öufi Bier ("Eleven Beer"). A possible reason for this is that Solothurn was the 11th canton to join Switzerland.

Solothurn is a German-speaking town but, as in the rest of Switzerland, communication in French and English is easy in the city centre. Solothurn is not a common destination for international tourists, but the presence of several international companies in the city and the area makes it common to hear English on any walk around the town.

Climate

Solothurn has a four-season climate typical to central Europe . Temperature in winter is usually around zero degrees, which means that snow can linger or melt away. Summers are warm with temperature in the 20s and increasingly in the 30s. The nearby Jura mountains are significantly colder than in the valley, with snow remaining well into spring.

During autumn and winter temperature inversions results in fog building up over the Swiss flatland. Whilst not the worst place for fog in Switzerland, it can still be bad and leave the city blanketed in a thick grey fog for days on end. Typically this period lasts from October to February.

Local information

Solothurn town council website

By Plane

Solothurn has direct hourly railway connections to Zurich Airport (1 hr 20 min) and Geneva Airport (2 hours). Basel EuroAirport is reached with changes at Olten and Basel SBB (1 hr 30 min). Bern Belp airport is also nearby (1 hr 20 min with train and bus), but offers only a limited selection of destinations (as of early 2020, mainly holiday destinations for Swiss tourists). Small Grenchen Airport is by far the closest (about 11 km from Solothurn city centre by road), but does not have any regular scheduled or charter flights. It is used for private transport, recreational flying and training.

By rail

Solothurn Main Station .

Solothurn is well served by the Swiss Federal Rail (SBB) system. Intercity trains running along the southern foot of the Jura provide fast and direct trains along the east/west axis of Switzerland as far as Zürich, Rorschach, Lausanne, and Geneva. A direct connection to Bern is provided by the slower S-Bahn like RBS. Slower regional trains also run along the south foot of the Jura stopping at more points along the way (to Biel or Olten), into the Jura (to Moutier), and to the Emmental (Burgdorf and various stops on the direct BLS train to Thun). Solothurn station also functions as a hub for regional bus and tram transport in the city and greater region. Check the SBB website for timetable information.

By Car / Road

The E25 autobahn provides connections to other major cities in the country.

Underground car parks (Bieltor, Baseltor, Dornacherplatz) provide ample parking right next to the old town.

The town is small enough to be easily explored on foot. The old town is 500 m north of the train station, across the river. The best view when approaching the old town from the train station is attained by using the Kreuzackerbrücke foot bridge, not one of the larger bridges. For destinations outside of the town centre a number of regional bus/train/tram routes service the area, or a taxi rank can be found at the station.

Solothurn Old Town .

The old town is easily fully explored on foot within an hour or two at the most. Farmer's markets are held in the old town every Wednesday and Saturday morning. Cultural festivals or events are held in or near the old town on most weekends. Many cafes and bars are scattered around, the river front ones are especially pleasant on a warm summers evening. The Solothurn tourism office is located at Hauptgasse 69 (by the Cathedral).

free .

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St. Ursenkathedrale / Kathedrale St. Urs und Viktor

( Solothurn Cathedral ).

The cathedral is impossible to miss as it dominates the Solothurn skyline. Entry into the cathedral is free. You can go up the tower which offers views over the town, river valley, Jura mountains, and on a clear day a panorama of the Alps. The tower entrance is on the outside of the building at the rear of the Cathedral. The cost is stated at the entrance door and you pay when you reach the top of the tower which serves as the cashier/gift shop. The tower is closed in winter.

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Zeitglockenturm

( Clock tower ).

A clock tower overlooking the main square. The building is the oldest in Solothurn and there is an astronomical clock similar to the Zytglogge in Bern. It features a verse in German and Latin, probably by Glarean (1488-1563), that states that there is "no older city in Gaul than Solothurn, except Trier", and calls these cities sisters.

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Bastion

( to the north-east of the old town outside the Baseltor ).

A section of the towns fortifications that were not torn down and now serve as a park where visitors can walk along or below the walls. The walk along the wall offers an easy (and free) view of the Alps on a clear day. A number of events take place in the park. A unique sight is the Soldatendenkmal (soldier's monument) which commemorates the Swiss soldiers that died in service watching the borders during the world wars.

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11i Uhr

( 11 Clock )

( next to the Coop supermarket outside the Bieltor ).

A modern novelty clock by an artist from the region which only has 11 hours, referring to Solothurn's special fondness for this number. At 11:00, 12:00, 17:00 and 18:00 the clock plays the Solothurn Song.

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Naturmuseum Solothurn

( Solothurn Natural History Museum ).

Mostly focused on the local fauna, flora, and geology in very well put together exhibits. There is also a temporary exhibition in the basement which changes every 6 months or so. Information is mostly only in German.

Free .

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Kunstmuseum Solothurn

( Solothurn Art Museum )

( on the north side of the old town by the bastion ).

Contains a number of surprisingly big names for such a small town, for example the "Solothurner Madonna" by Hans Holbein the Younger, other old master paintings, as well as impressive paintings by Hodler, other modern artists (including van Gogh and Klimt) and a collection of Swiss contemporary art. A peculiar point of interest is the Wellington boot sculpture, by Roman Signer, over the pool outside which is periodically propelled around a swing by a water jet shooting out of the heel.

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Museum Altes Zeughaus

( Old Arsenal Museum ),

Zeughausplatz 1 .

A large collection of weapons and armour. The old building itself is very impressive too, and is turned into a giant advent calendar from the outside during December.

Fr. 6 (adult) .

There are a number of spots of interest a short walk or ride from the centre.

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Schloss Blumenstein ,

Blumensteinweg 12 .

A palace that is host to a historical museum. The museum is located in the suburbs 15 minutes walk from the old town, or take bus 4 to "Solothurn, Kantonsschule".

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Einsiedelei im der Verenaschlucht

( Hermitage in the Verena gorge ).

A church and house in a gorge in the forest. Reached by following the footpath signs for "Einsiedelei" with a 30- to 45-minute walk north of the city (15 minutes through pleasant housing, and 30 through the forest along the Verena gorge), or take bus 4 to "Rüttenen, Brüggmoos". The hermitage and gorge are a beautiful place to walk around, especially in the evenings when candles are lit and placed in between the rocks throughout the gorge.

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Schloss Waldegg ,

Waldeggstrasse 1, Feldbrunnen .

A palace that is partially open as a museum dedicated to the Solothurn aristocracy from the 17th to 19th centuries. It is a 5-minute walk from the Verenaschluct, or take the tram to Feldbrunnen.

Fr. 6 .

Schloss Landshut ,

Schlossstrasse 17, 3427 Utzenstorf .

A picturesque schloss with a moat set in a well tended garden. The park and café in the schloss courtyard are free to enter; entry into the building is limited to the museum of hunting (Fr. 7 adult). 20 minutes from Solothurn via the RBS to Bätterkinden and bus to "Utzenstorf, Schloss Landshut", or a 12-km walk/cycle along the Emme river.

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Enter Technikwelt Solothurn .

Tu-Su 10:00-17:00 .

Computer and technology museum, including a collection of movie cars.

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Recreation

In Solothurn

ExtraBall ,

Obachstrasse 34 .

A pinball machine collection that opens one night a month. Serves drinks and tapas.

Along the Aare

Hiking and biking along the Aare .

Options are available in the Aare river valley offering very flat trails through farmland and along the river banks. There are a large number of spots where you can safely enter the water, often with a stone firepit to cook at. Wildlife can also be easily found, with deer and beavers in the wild within a few km of the city.

Swim in the Aare .

June-Aug

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Solothurn has a selection of restaurants serving Swiss and international cuisine. Local specialities include fondue, raclette, and rösti.

Swiss wine, beer, and hot chocolate are widely available. Cafés and bars in Solothurn offer a range of local and international beverages.

Accommodation in Solothurn ranges from budget guesthouses to mid-range hotels and upscale resorts. Book in advance during peak season (July-August and December-March).

Local shops in Solothurn offer Swiss souvenirs, watches, chocolate, and regional products. ATMs are widely available.

• Zurich — Switzerland's largest city, with world-class museums and shopping
• Bern — The capital city with a UNESCO-listed old town
• Lucerne — Iconic chapel bridge and lake views
• Interlaken — Gateway to the Jungfrau region
• Geneva — International city on Lake Geneva