St. Ursus Cathedral

St. Ursus Cathedral is a Baroque church in Solothurn built with white marble and classical design elements that stand out in the city. The front features three monumental staircases leading to the entrance, and the structure rises to a height of 66 meters (216 feet).

The current building was constructed between 1762 and 1773 following the designs of architect Gaetano Matteo Pisoni. It replaced earlier religious structures that had occupied the same site for centuries.

The cathedral serves as the spiritual center for Catholics in the region and reflects their faith traditions through the centuries. Visitors can see valuable religious artworks and ceremonial objects from the Middle Ages and Baroque period that show how believers practiced their religion over time.

The tower is open for visitors from April through October, depending on weather conditions. Plan your visit around religious services, as the interior closes during scheduled ceremonies.

The building incorporates the number eleven throughout its design in a deliberate way that visitors can spot. This includes eleven altars, eleven bells in the tower, and multiple staircases each with eleven steps, creating an unusual mathematical pattern.

Location: Solothurn

Inception: 1783

Architects: Gaetano Matteo Pisoni

Architectural style: baroque architecture

Height: 66 m

Part of: list of cultural properties in Solothurn

Address: Hauptgasse 66, 4500 Solothurn

Website: https://kath-solothurn.ch

GPS coordinates: 47.20833,7.53944

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:42