Sitting at the foothills of the Jura Mountains and on the banks of the Aare River in the Three Lakes region of Switzerland is the historic town of Solothurn.
If you don’t know much about Switzerland, the chances of you hearing about the historic town of Solothurn are pretty minimal. But, I’d have to say it is one of the hidden gems you have to visit on your next trip.
Solothurn is home to 18 World Heritages sites, is smothered in stunning architecture from Baroque to Romanistic and of course, Italian and French influences too. To put it shortly, this is one stunning town drenched in history.
For me, seeing this wonderful town is a must while you visit Switzerland, but you might be wondering what to do with your time while you’re there. Here are all the great things to do in Solothurn.
Table of Contents
Take In The Beautiful Historic Centre Of The Old Town
The Old Town of Solothurn is absolutely stunning as it is pretty much a very well-preserved beautiful Baroque City.
The Old Town has an impressive past which started with the Romans but the stunning buildings were built during the 1700s when the town had a very close relationship with France.
As you stroll around the Old Town be sure to see the 11 fountains that date back to the 1500s and signified the wealth of the town during that time.
Around every turn will be another architectural piece in this beautiful Baroque city. From old city walls to churches, the Aare river, and lots more.
It is easy to walk around the Old Town as it is quite small. The cobble-stoned streets and narrow alleyways are charming, and you should look out for the number 11.
There are 11 fountains, but there are also 11 churches, 11 museums, and more 11s for you to spot on your tour.
See The Astronomical Clock At Solothurn Clock Tower
Having enjoyed the Old Town, another slice of history you can not miss in this Swiss city is the clock tower.
The clock tower was built in 1467 and is adjoined by one of the oldest historic buildings in the city which was built in the 1100s. It is architecturally beautiful as it rises up above the town and it features two clocks.
The first clock was added when it was built and is for lack of better words, a standard clock. However, the second clock which was added later in 1545 is an Astronomical Clock.
So, what is an Astronomical Clock? I had never heard of one and they are pretty cool in my eyes. An Astronomical Clock tells you the day, month, season, and moon phases too. Considering it was built in 1545 and is just a clock, I think that it is mightily impressive.
You will find the clock tower on Hauptgasse, just off the main square, and it is very easy to get to.
Learn About Solothrun’s History At The Blumenstein Historical Museum
Set in one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in the town is the Blumenstein Historical Museum and it is a great place to learn about the history of this historic city.
The house the museum is housed in is actually a Swiss heritage site of national significance, that’s how pretty and important it is. It wasn’t until 1952 that it became the museum.
Inside you will find numerous permanent exhibitions that showcase the history of the town. You can see how the daily life of the locals has changed over the last 2000 years, find out how the house, its family and staff lived 300 years ago, and lots more.
There is a special archaeological exhibition that runs from the Palaeolithic to the middle ages and you can see how an old hospital was run.
The museum also hosts traveling exhibitions which change often so be sure to check out their website before you visit Solothurn.
Take In Contemporary Swiss Art At Solothurn Art Museum
The Solothurn Art Museum is not far from the old town and going to see some art is something I always love to do when visiting a new place.
Before you walk in, be sure to take in the beauty of the neoclassical architecture of the building. It is pretty impressive and dates back to the early 1900s.
Inside the museum, you will find many significant art collections that showcase the history of contemporary Swiss art over the 20th century.
The impressive collection has works by Hans Morgenthaler, Hans Berger, and Maurice Barraud from the 40s, 50s, and 60s. Plus, works from Jean Tinguely, Bernhard Luginbühl, or Daniel Spoerri from the 70s, 80s, and 90s which are all mainly sculptures.
Since the 1990s, the museum’s permanent collection has been added to drawings and paintings from more Swiss artists.
The art museum also plays host to traveling exhibitions and some of them are fantastic, so be sure to check out the website here so you can plan ahead.
Enjoy The River Aare In More Ways Than One
The River Aare is one of the main rivers in Switzerland and it runs through the heart of Solothurn.
The river is absolutely beautiful with its clear greeny blue water and spending some time in it, on it, or around it is a must while visiting.
If going for a swim isn’t up your street head to the promenade along the banks of the river. You’ll find cafes, bars, and excellent restaurants where you can hang out, try the local beer (called 11), and enjoy the stunning views.
When visiting in the summer, hanging out on the river’s beaches is a lovely thing to do, as is taking a swim in the river. You can also buy a lilo and float down the river which is a lot of fun.
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One of my choices would be to hop on the ferry from Solothurn to Biel. Along the way, you’ll see cute riverside villages, lots of beautiful birds, and lovely views.
Get A Taste Of Old History At Waldegg Castle
Sitting just outside of Solothurn is a stunning castle with magical gardens that is simply lovely to wander around.
Waldegg Castle takes about 10 minutes to get to, so it is not a long journey and it is another stunning example of baroque-style architecture. Taken in the outside before heading inside to see the magical interior.
The interiors date back to the 1700s and 1800s and feature paintings of the old aristocratic family that used to live there, the Besenval’s.
The best part of the castle is, without a doubt, the gardens which are beautifully landscaped also in a Baroque style. You will also find a cute kitchen garden and an orangery too.
The castle is very much a museum that gives you a sense of the times when Solothurn was a French king’s ambassador’s town and is a great thing to experience.
Get An Appreciation Of Olden Day Knights At The Old Arsenal Museum
The Old Arsenal Museum is a museum dedicated to armor and old weapons and it houses one of the largest collections of armor in Europe.
Now, I have never even thought about armor in any detail, let alone thought there would be a museum about it, but nevertheless, it certainly captured my interest.
The museum is, of course, housed in a historic building that dates back more than 400 years, which is special in itself. But, it is what is inside that counts!
You can see more than 200 different suits of armor in the museum along with the old weapons and other equipment that used to come with it. Try to imagine being a knight and wearing all of that gear while riding a horse and being in a battle – it would be no easy task.
You will find the Old Arsenal Museum close to the Old Town in the city center and if you would like more details, you can find the website here.
Get The Best Views From St. Ursus Cathedral
St. Ursus Cathedral isn’t just a place to see incredible views of the city from, it is also probably the most important historic building in Solothurn.
Being one of the most important national treasures, you can imagine just how beautiful it is. Designed by famous architects Gaetano Matteo Pisoni and Paolo Antonio Pisoni, in the late 1700s it features a 66-meter tower, stained glass windows, sculptures, and lots more.
Built from Jura limestone with an early Swiss neoclassicism style, it is architecturally stunning from the outside. Inside, it is possibly even more beautiful with its paintings, sculptures, and stained glass windows.
Once you are done inside, walk up the 249 steps to the top of the tower for amazing views of the city, river, and Jura mountains.
Take In The Atmosphere At Solothurn’s Market
Solothurn is quite the market town and it has a few different ones to choose from. I love strolling around markets, especially when there is food involved, as there is nothing quite like seeing all the specialty vendors selling goods from around the country.
Every Wednesday and Saturday morning a farmers market comes to town selling everything from fresh flowers to local cheese, bread, honey, vegetables, and more. You can find it in the Old Town most of the time but the location can change.
The Saturday market is much larger and has more atmosphere to it, so if you only want to go once, make it a Saturday.
If you happen to be in Solothurn on the second Monday of the month, you can head to the monthly market. It goes all day long and it is more of a flea market selling vintage clothing, toys, jewelry, and more. It is a great place to pick up a souvenir.
See The Jesuit Church, A Baroque Masterpiece
The Jesuit Church of Solothurn is recognized as one of the most stunning Baroque buildings in all of Switzerland.
It was built in the late 1600s and has been consistently restored since with the last bit of work being done in 2015.
The church is architecturally beautiful from the outside and the interior is nothing short of stunning. The painting of Assumption by Franz Carl Studer which dates back to 1704 is amazing, as is the statue of the Virgin Mary.
What really catches my attention is the Italian-style stucco work that features on the ceiling as it is beautiful and immensely detailed.
Take A Hike On The Weissenstein Mountain
You can’t go to a town in Switzerland and not spend any time on a mountain, it just wouldn’t be proper.
While Solothurn isn’t in a mountainous area of Switzerland, there are always mountains nearby wherever you are in this stunning country. The Jura Mountains are close by and going for a hike around them is a lovely experience.
The mountain of Weissenstein rises up some 1300 meters above sea level and it offers excellent hiking with numerous trails for you to choose from.
You can actually hike to the peak from Solothurn in under 3 hours or simply hop on a bus and a cable car to be there in less than an hour. Using public transport and then hiking a trail at the peak is the best way to do it in my eyes.
There are two restaurants at the peak and you will get amazing views of the Juras in one direction and the alps in the other. Once you have had lunch and a beer, hike down and head back to do some more exploring of Solothurn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Solothurn worth visiting?
Solothurn is definitely worth visiting, especially if you love history and culture mixed with nature. Between the cultural attractions, architecture, great restaurants, fun bars, and the stunning river and mountains, what is not to like about Solothurn?
What language is spoken in Solothurn Switzerland?
The people of Solothurn predominantly speak German or the local dialect of Swiss-German.
When did Solothurn join Switzerland?
Solothurn joined the Swiss Confederacy in 1481.
