Historic Center / Old Town

Solothurn is often called the most beautiful Baroque town in Switzerland, and a walk through its car-free old town explains why. The town sits on the banks of the Aare below the foothills of the Jura, halfway between Basel and Bern, and for centuries it was the seat of the French ambassador to the Swiss Confederation, which gave it the nickname Ambassador Town. French diplomats, officers and merchants brought money and taste, and the result is an unusually elegant town of stone mansions, wrought-iron signs and ornate fountains.

The number eleven runs through the town like a motif. Solothurn was the eleventh canton to join the Confederation, in 1481, and local lore counts eleven churches and chapels, eleven fountains and eleven towers. Whether or not every count is exact, the pattern has become part of the town's identity. The St. Ursen Cathedral, a large Baroque building in pale stone at the top of a broad flight of steps, is the main landmark, and its interior is richly decorated. The nearby clock tower, the Zeitglockenturm, is among the oldest buildings of the town and carries an astronomical clock with moving figures.

The old town has a clear layout. The long, wide streets of the Hauptgasse and the surrounding lanes are lined with arcaded shops and cafés, with colourful fountains at regular intervals. Markets fill the streets several times a week, and the town's squares host open-air events in summer. Baroque facades, the Jesuit Church with its lavish interior, and the leaning Krummturm tower add interest at every turn.

On the river side, the quays along the Aare are a pleasant place to sit. Cafés and terraces face the water, and boats and swimmers use the river in summer. The Weissenstein, a mountain above the town, offers hiking and views. Solothurn is also known for its film festival every January and for its cheerful, relaxed character.

Getting there is easy by train from Bern, Biel, Basel and Zurich, and the old town is a few minutes' walk from the station. Allow at least half a day, more if you want to visit the museums and enjoy a long lunch. Try a slice of the local Solothurner Torte.