SOLOTHURN
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 9
Solothurn is the Baroque capital of the canton of the same name: an ancient city with unusual traditions and a rich history, where one strange number has haunted residents for several centuries.
SOLOTHURN: ICONIC LANDMARKS
Baroque architecture and a tranquil atmosphere make the city one of the most elegant in the country.
Solothurn lies on the banks of the Aare at the foot of the Jura Mountains and has an unexpectedly stately air for a small canton. The city grew up as the residence of French ambassadors, and the Baroque style here is perceived not as decoration, but as a natural form of existence.
The Old Town stretches along the river and is held together by the strict symmetry of its squares and facades. The dominant feature is the Cathedral of Saint Ursus, whose light-colored staircase rises almost theatrically above the city. The stone embankments of the Are set a tranquil rhythm, and narrow streets unexpectedly lead to courtyards and old arsenals.
Solothurn is renowned for its cultural events, such as the renowned Film Festival and Literary Days, which attract locals and visitors alike. Popular museums include the Historical Museum and the Natural History Museum, the Cathedral Treasury, the Stone Museum, and Waldegg Castle. The Old Arsenal houses one of the largest weapons collections in Europe.
Solothurn gives the rare impression of a city that doesn't try to seem older or more important than it is. The Baroque facades, the bridges over the Aare, and the measured scale of the streets create a sense of architectural balance — as if everything was once built correctly and a decision was made not to change anything.
SOLOTHURN: COAT OF ARMS' HISTORY
The colours of the coat of arms come from the old city banner and have remained unchanged for centuries.
Solothurn began as a Roman vicus – a small settlement on a strategic route through the Jura Mountains.
It later became a free imperial city, a city-state in 1344, and in 1481 joined the Swiss Confederation, becoming one of its "classical" cantons. With a Roman bearing, medieval pride, and a remarkably strong sense of self-worth.
Solothurn's red and white shield was first recorded in 1394 on the city seal. And by 1443, documents meticulously mention the cost of fabric in these colors for the ceremonial attire of local nobility. This is a beautiful and practical explanation: the coat of arms grew out of the wardrobe . The colors of power were first worn on the shoulders, and then placed on the shield. There's no mysticism here — just status, textiles, and the desire to look dignified. Medieval dress code as the basis for heraldry.
There's also an older theory: red and white — from the banner of the Roman legion stationed here. The purple banner with gold or silver fringe could have evolved over time into a strict two-color shield. The Romans left, but the color remained. And if you look at the Solothurn coat of arms, you'll find something truly legionary about it — simplicity, discipline, minimal embellishment. Almost military minimalism.
The city's patron saint is Saint Ursus. According to legend, he was a soldier in the Theban Legion and was martyred in the 3rd century under Emperor Maximilian for refusing to renounce his Christian faith. He was beheaded, but in the city's memory, he remains standing in armor, holding a red banner and a white cross. A seal from 1447 depicts Ursus holding the city's shield.
He was later replaced by lions, but the saint never disappeared — he remained in symbolism, in the cathedral, in legend. His image combined Roman discipline and Christian steadfastness. Perhaps this is why Solothurn always managed to maintain a balance between aristocratic strictness and civic freedom.
A charming detail: by agreement with Bern , one of the bear cubs born in Bern's Bear Moat is always named Ursus. Ursus is Latin for "bear." Thus, the holy soldier became a gentle symbol of friendship between the cantons. From the legionary banner to teddy bears. History can be serious, but Switzerland knows how to smile.
SOLOTHURN: FUN FACTS
Of the magic of numbers once again.
Solothurn is unofficially called the "city of eleven" — and this isn't a tourist slogan, but rather an obsession. It became Switzerland's 11th canton. Its historic center boasts 11 fountains, 11 towers of the old city wall, and 11 churches. The cathedral has 11 altars and 11 bells. Eleven steps lead to the main entrance. The clock face on Amthausplatz stops at 11 o'clock. No twelve — in this local dimension, there is no turning point of midday or tragic midnight.
Even the local beer proudly bears the name "Öulf" — "eleven" in the local German dialect. Numerologists are delighted, mathematicians raise an eyebrow, and locals merely shrug: tradition is tradition. Why 11? There's no definitive answer. But you'll agree — rare is a city that can count to eleven so consistently and make a way of life out of it.
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