Solothurn, Baroque town in Solothurn District, Switzerland.
Solothurn is a town in Solothurn District, Switzerland, stretching along a bend of the Aare below forested slopes. Sandstone facades line the lanes, while open squares reveal views of mountains and river.
Roman settlers established a post here around 15 BC at the river crossing. During the 17th century, the town became the seat of French ambassadors and gained its still visible baroque character.
The old town carries Italian influence in its palazzi and squares, a reminder of the French ambassador period. Locals meet on the wide main street, protected from rain by arcaded walkways.
The old center can be crossed on foot in less than half an hour, with many passages through courtyards and under arches. Steps and ramps connect the upper lanes to the waterfront, where a footpath runs along the water.
Inside the Jesuit church stands a marble pulpit that seems to hover away from the wall without supports. This 18th-century construction uses hidden iron bands inside to carry the weight.
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