Photo Spot Aarburg

Aarburg is a small town in the canton of Aargau, on the Aare near the border with Solothurn, and it has one of the most photogenic townscapes in the region. The old town lies on a bend in the river, below a steep rocky ridge, and above it stands a large fortress, while a church crowns a lower outcrop of rock. From the right vantage point on the riverbank, the buildings of the town, the church and the fortress line up in a single view, with the water in the foreground. That vantage point has become known as the Photo Spot, and it is a popular stop for photographers and for visitors passing through the area.

The fortress is the dominant element. A castle stood on the hill in the Middle Ages, controlling the crossing of the river and the route between Bern, Basel and Zürich, and in the seventeenth century the city of Bern, which then ruled the area, rebuilt it as a modern fortress with bastions and thick walls. Over time it was used as an arsenal and later as a prison, and in the twentieth century it was adapted as an institution for the education of young people, a purpose it still serves in a modern form. Because of this, parts of the interior are not open to the public, but the exterior and the walls can be admired from below and from the surrounding paths.

The Reformed church sits below the fortress, on a rocky spur above the town, and it is reached by a stone staircase from the old town. Climbing the steps gives a different view over the roofs, the river and the countryside, and the church itself, with its tower, is a striking feature of the skyline. Houses crowd along the water's edge, with their reflections in the Aare, and the old town streets behind them are narrow and quiet.

The best photographs are usually taken from a short footpath along the river, where the buildings are arranged in layers up the slope. Early morning and late afternoon provide the most flattering light, and on still days the reflection of the town in the water doubles the effect. A telephoto lens allows you to pick out details, while a wide angle captures the whole composition. In autumn, mist often hangs over the river and softens the scene, and in winter the stone walls stand out against bare trees.

The Photo Spot is free and can be reached at any hour. It is a short walk from the centre and from the railway station, and it needs little time, but you can extend your visit with a stroll through the old town and a walk around the base of the fortress. The area is suitable for families, walkers and photographers. If you want to see more of the Aare, riverside paths lead in both directions, and the nearby town of Olten and the castles of Aargau are within easy reach by train or car.