cityguide solothurn en -...
TRANSCRIPT
From the 16th to the 18th centuries, the Catholic town of Solothurn was the residence of the French
king’s ambassador. Fine Baroque and Renaissance buildings, such as the noble Palais Besenval,
and magnificent religious buildings meet the visitor at every end and turn – the Old Town has eleven
churches and chapels and the same number of fountains and towers. Truly magnificent is the St.Urs
Cathedral, with a façade donated by Louis XIV, and an Italian-style staircase in front. Inside are
wonderful Baroque stuccos. The town walls, which are still intact in some places, were built
according to the principles of the French military engineer Vauban.
Between the beautiful historic monuments, the patrician buildings and the sturdy fortifications, the
traffic-free Old Town is a pleasant place to wander, with lots of small shops and inns. On warm
summer evenings, it is very pleasant to sit in the garden restaurants and bars by the Aare.
SolothurnSolothurn is regarded as the finest Baroque town in Switzerland, where Italian grandeur is combined with French charm and German practicality. The so-called “ambassador’s town” is at the southern end of the Jura by the River Aare, about 30 km east of Biel/Bienne.
200 m
1000 ft
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General Info
Important holidays 2012 in Solothurn01. Jan 2012 Su New Year� s Day
02. Jan 2012 Mo Saint Berchtold
06. Apr 2012 Fr Good Friday
08. Apr 2012 Su Easter
09. Apr 2012 Mo Easter Monday
17. May 2012 Th Ascension Day
27. May 2012 Su Whitsun
28. May 2012 Mo Whit Monday
07. Jun 2012 Th Corpus Christi
01. Aug 2012 We Swiss National Holiday
15. Aug 2012 We Assumption Day
01. Nov 2012 Th All Saints´ Day
25. Dec 2012 Tu Christmas
26. Dec 2012 We St. Stephen´s Day
Opening hours
Shops/shopping
Monday - Friday: 9 am - 6.30 pm
Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm
Late night shopping: Thursday, 9 am - 9 pm
Banks and currency exchange
Monday - Friday: 9 am - 12 noon / 2 pm - 5
pm
Saturday: closed
Public authorities and offices
Monday - Friday: 9 am - 12 noon / 2 pm - 5
pm
Saturday: closed
Canton: Solothurn
Postcode/ZIP: 4500 - 4500
Altitude: 432 m
Population: 16,000
Language: German
Important phone numbers
Emergency calls:
117 Police
118 Fire
144 Ambulance
1414 Swiss heli rescue
General information:
1811 General information such as eg
doctors, theater, etc.
140 Breakdown Service
162 Weather Information
163 Road conditions
187 Avalanche Bulletin
The town has a range of cultural attractions going far beyond the regional, including the Solothurn
Film and Literature Days. The museums range from the History Museum to the internationally
acclaimed Natural History Museum, the cathedral treasury, a Museum of Stones, the PC Museum
and Schloss Waldegg, not to mention a collection of sentimental light fiction. Finally, in the "Old
Arsenal" is one of the largest weapons collections in Europe.
Children are made particularly welcome in Solothurn: the Toy and Puppet Museum is just one of the
amenities specially for children. If you follow the tips in the Guide for Children and Families, the tour
of the town becomes an adventure in search of castle ghosts and dinosaur tracks, with a climb up to
the St. Urs Tower.
A little outside the town is the romantic Verena gorge with its chapel and hermitage, a popular
destination for walkers. Hikers and cyclists will find an extensive network of footpaths and 600 km of
cycle tracks in the surrounding area and along the Aare. Solothurn is on two national cycle routes:
the Mittelland Route and the Aare Route.
Highlights
● Old Town – one of the finest and most compact Old Towns in Switzerland, with many Baroque
highlights and a marked French influence.
● St. Urs Cathedral, made of pale Solothurn marble, is the most important Early Classical building
in Switzerland, and has 11 altars.
● Museum of Fine Art – important collection of Swiss Art from 1850 onwards, with works by Cuno
Amiet, Ferdinand Hodler, Bernhard Luginbühl, Meret Oppenheim, Jean Tinguely.
● Boat ride on the Aare (in summer) – to the Stork Colony in Altreu and via Büren, whose Old
Town features in the National Inventory of Heritage Sites, to bilingual Biel/Bienne.
● Weissenstein – Solothurn’s local mountain (1291 m) and the Hotel Kurhaus Weissenstein - can
be reached by bus on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Fine views of Central Switzerland
and the Alps. Popular area for walking, cycling, cross-country skiing and sledging.
Top Events
● Solothurner Film Days – important platform for Swiss films; independent film producers are well
represented here; awarding of the Swiss Film Prize (January).
● Solothurn Carnival - "Chesslete", torch-lit procession through the Old Town, the participants
wear white nightshirts and make a deafening noise. Masked balls, burning of the Böögg
(February/March).
● Biertage - An invitation from 20 breweries to celebrate Swiss beer culture during the 9th
Solothurn beer days (April).
● Bike Days - More than 15,000 visitors are likely to view this world of bikes and gather information
about the current and future Planet Bike (May).
● Solothurn Literature Days – a forum for contemporary writing in Switzerland (on Ascension
weekend, May).
● Solothurn Classics – open-air opera performances (July).
● Swiss Walking Event –The Swiss Walking Event is the original and largest independent Nordic
walking event in Switzerland. It takes place every year in Solothurn on the first Sunday in
September.
● Art Supermarket – the works of both young and more famous artists are presented and sold
here (November).
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A perfect day in Solothurn.By early evening, with its soft, warm light, visitors have invariably fallen under the spell of Solothurn on the River Aare. Known as Switzerland’s finest Baroque city thanks to the elegant legacy of French ambassadors, its Old Town alleys are dotted with magnificent buildings, decorative fountains and towers – a delight to explore on leisurely strolls or admire from the atmospheric street cafés.
11:30Mellow mood on the river
Located right on the River Aare at the entrance to the Old Town,
the Solheure offers freshly squeezed juices, delicious cordials
and a wonderfully multicultural atmosphere. The former
slaughterhouse is the city’s most relaxed rendezvous, and the
perfect place to start an eventful day.
12:00A classic in every respect
“500 years young” is the Wirthen guildhall in the heart of the Old
Town, whose wood-panelled dining room retains its original
Renaissance feel – yet the cuisine served at the rustic tables is
contemporary. Try the classic Wirthen lunch, Solothurn tarte
flambée (a kind of pizza originally from Alsace).
13:30Elevenses The cathedral of St.Ursen is the symbol of Solothurn, and a fine
example of how everything here revolves around the magic
number eleven. The sacred building has eleven altars, eleven
bells and a flight of steps divided into three sets of eleven.
Altogether, Solothurn has eleven churches, eleven historic
fountains and eleven towers. But just one brewery, “Öufi” – which
of course means “eleven” in local dialect. Facts such as these and other secrets are all revealed on
the fascinating city tours.
15:00The home of Swiss art
Thanks to generous bequests, Solothurn’s Fine Art Museum
houses one of the country’s most valuable collections. The
emphasis is on Swiss art of the 19th and 20th centuries – while
temporary exhibitions primarily offer a platform to contemporary
artists.
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18:00Green hour of inspiration
World-famous as the favoured drink of poets and writers of
Europe’s “fin de siècle”, absinthe from the Val de Travers was
banned in 1910 – and only rehabilitated again a few years ago.
Since then, the “green fairy” has been on everyone’s lips – at
least at the eponymous bar. Here, among other drinks, you can
savour absinthe, guaranteed authentic from small (and once
again legal) private distilleries.
19:30The taste of Switzerland
At the Aaregarten, newly rediscovered young Swiss cuisine is
making a delicious comeback. Regional influences and typical
local produce are combined in fresh, original and surprising ways.
22:00Top tower Art gallery, stage, and club lounge: the Kulturm, housed in the
500-year-old Mutti tower, is Solothurn’s most fashionable
rendezvous. For more than 30 years, culture has been celebrated
here in style.
24:00Ramada Hotel Solothurn
Glorious: the location, looking out on the river and Old Town.
Comfortable: the rooms, with free WiFi. Spot on: a nightcap drink
in the penthouse bar on the seventh floor, with superb views.
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Current events
27OCT
Solothurn Minerals Market
Exhibition and sale of minerals, rock crystals, fossils and jewelry.
Special amber exhibit. Immerse yourself in a fascinating and
enchanting world of beauty. This weekend, approx. 35 exhibitors
from Switzerland and the neighboring countries will show
minerals, fossils, gemstones, and jewelry. They will also offer
tools and machinery to process stones and minerals.
Region Solothurn Tourismus, Hauptgasse 69, 4500 Solothurn
09NOV
Swiss Art Supermarket
In the past few years, the Swiss Art Supermarket has established
itself as a national art event and turned into a great success story.
Visitors are able to browse through a wide-ranging, high-quality
selection of about 5500 unique pieces in a relaxed atmosphere
and purchase paintings in different price categories (CHF 99, 199,
399, and 599). This clear and attractive price policy is part of the
concept and has been favorably received by the 35,000 or so visitors attending every year. Bargain
hunters will search for a beautiful piece at a good price, while the younger generation might be
acquiring their first original artwork, and design aficionados will eye anything that matches their
furniture. The Art Supermarket is open to anybody! However, the 12th Swiss Art Supermarket is not
only about popularity, it is also about quality.
05DEC
«Chlausemäret» Santa Claus Market
«Chlause» is the local Solothurn dialect for Santa Claus, St. Nick
or Father Christmas. «Märet» the word for open-air market. The
Santa Claus Market is an event not to be missed!
The first «Chlausemäret» was held on December 3, 1981 by the
Pro Friedhofplatz Society in an effort to support their members
and merchants. In 1986, the society began to allow personally
selected merchants to participate in the market, and continues to hand pick those whose unique
products are not to be missed.
Still strong after more than 25 years, the «Chlausemäret» is proud to present it’s 70 market stands
and it’s magic for 2 unforgettable days of Solothurn tradition.
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Architecture
Contemporary: Helvetia-Versicherungen (Helvetia-Insurance)
Glass building by the architect duo Herzog und de Meuron.
Helvetia Versicherungen
Dornacherplatz 7
4500 Solothurn
Historic: Altes Spital (Old Hospital)
A culture and congress center in the suburbs, rich in history.
Altes Spital
Oberer Winkel 2
4500 Solothurn
Bars
Bar: SolHeure The 18-meter bar is a popular gathering place for people of all
ages.
SolHeure
Ritterquai 10
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 625 54 34
Bar: Kronenbar The bar in Hotel Krone, acclaimed for its rich tradition.
Kronenbar
Am Kronenplatz
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 626 44 44
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Club: Kofmehl The culture factory in Switzerland's Mittelland.
Kulturfabrik Kofmehl
Hans Huberstrasse 43b
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 621 20 60
Bar: Gassbar The "in" bar. Enjoy a moment of being.
Region Solothurn Tourismus · Hauptgasse 69 · 4500 Solothurn · T +41 (0)32 626 46 46 · F +41 (0)
32 626 46 47 · [email protected] · www.solothurn-city.ch / www.gassbar.ch
Bar: Penthouse-Bar
Penthouse bar on the 7th floor of the Hotel Ramada with amazing
views of the Old Town.
Penthouse-Bar
Schänzlistr. 5
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 655 46 00
City Tours
City tour: Saints, Ladies, Women and Witches
Guided tour of the city.
Region Solothurn Tourismus
Hauptgasse 69
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 626 46 46
Fax +41 (0)32 626 46 47
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City tour: Türme, Tore, Mauern (Towers, Gates and Walls)
Guided tour of the city.
Region Solothurn Tourismus
Hauptgasse 69
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 626 46 46
Fax +41 (0)32 626 46 47
Places To Be
Suteria Chocolatier, Confiseur, Cafeteria. It makes life sweeter every day!
Suteria Manfred Suter
Hauptgasse 65
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 621 80 40
Fax +41 (0)32 621 80 41
Hafenbar Enjoying leisure time on the Aare River, in the shadow of old
sycamore trees. (Only in summer).
Hafenbar
Prisongasse 4
4500 Solothurn
Sportzentrum Zuchwil
Sport - Wellness - Training - Seminars. Active & attractive on 363
days of the year.
Sportzentrum Zuchwil
Amselweg 59-61
4528 Zuchwil
Tel. +41 (0)32 686 55 55
Fax +41 (0)32 686 55 42
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Öufi Brauerei-Brasserie
Where Solothurn's freshest beer is brewed.
Öufi Brauerei-Brasserie
Fabrikstr.4
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 621 49 11
Fax +41 (0)32 637 03 85
Restaurants
Traditional: Zunfthaus zu Wirthen
The only guild house among Solothurn's restaurants. Brasserie
menu.
Zunfthaus zu Wirthen
Hauptgasse 41
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 626 28 48
Fax +41 (0)32 626 28 58
Traditional: Jägerstübli
The Fondue specialist.
Brasserie Jägerstübli
Stalden 6
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 622 15 57
Fax +41 (0)32 622 15 65
Traditional: Zum alten Stephan
Gourmet restaurant in the middle of the Old Town (16 Gault Millau
Points and 1 Michelin Star).
Restaurant Zum Alten Stephan
Friedhofplatz 10
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 622 11 09
Fax +41 (0)32 623 70 60
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Trendy: Aaregarten
Your garden on the Aare River - with the most beautiful view of
the Old Town.
Restaurant Aaregarten
Oberer Winkel 2
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 626 24 34
Fax +41 (0)32 626 24 30
Tradtitional: Roter Turm
The roof restaurant "La Tourelle" with its unique panorarma
terrace looking out over the roofs of Solothurn (15 Gault Millau
Points).
Hotel-Restaurant Roter Turm
Hauptgasse 42
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 622 96 21
Fax +41 (0)32 622 98 65
Trendy: Baseltor This 17th century Old Town building was sensitively and
consistently restored in 1992. Decoration has been reduced to a
minimum, with lots of white paint and effective lighting, to create a
comfortable house with a Mediterranean feel. At the start of 2007,
the Baseltor restaurant had a facelift: more of a pub-like feel in the
basement, sophisticated dining on the first floor (already smoke-
free). The food is characterised by carefully selected fresh produce, creativity and a feeling for
authentic flavours, a wide range of vegetarian dishes and a daily changing menu (13 Gault Millau
points).
Hotel Restaurant Baseltor
Hauptgasse 79
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 622 34 22
Fax +41 (0)32 622 18 79
Shopping
Schnider und Hammer
Goldsmiths. The Weissenstein Collection.
Schnider und Hammer
Barfüssergasse 9
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 621 57 51
Fax +41 (0)32 621 57 51
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Kerzen Jeger Nostalgic colonial goods and convenience store.
Kerzen Jeger, Urs Jeger
Kolonialwaren, Kerzen, Tapeten
Hauptgasse 36
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41(0)32 622 31 70
Chuchilade An unusual houseware store.
Chuchilade
Hauptgasse 62
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 622 63 64
Fax +41 (0)32 621 98 34
Weingalerie Geschwister Biberstein
The wine gallery of the singing Biberstein sisters, a gallery with a
difference and with a heart.
Geschwister Biberstein GmbH
Weingalerie
Klosterplatz 6
4500 Solothurn
Tel. +41 (0)32 621 64 88
Fax +41 (0)32 621 64 82
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