Friedhofkirche, Alte Pfarrkirche St. Anna

The Friedhofkirche St. Anna (old parish church) in Balsthal is among the oldest sacred buildings in the Thal valley of the canton of Solothurn. It sits beside the village cemetery at Friedhof 1 and appears on the canton's list of protected monuments. Beneath the later walls lie traces of Roman and early medieval buildings.

What is the Friedhofkirche St. Anna?

For centuries this was Balsthal's parish church. In 1912–1914 the village's Catholics built a new church, also dedicated to St. Anne, closer to the centre. The old building by the graveyard then became the cemetery church. Since 1963 it has been a burial church open to all denominations.

What can you see?

The church grew in stages, so it blends several periods. The tower and chancel are partly Romanesque, and the sacristy dates from 1461. After fires in 1461 and 1539 the building was reconstructed. Its interior keeps notable furnishings from the 15th to 17th centuries, and a Baroque makeover followed in 1760–1770.

The oldest layers came to light during the 1956 restoration. Archaeologists recorded Roman-era foundations and an 11th-century single-nave hall with an apse and crypt. Remains of Roman farmsteads have also been documented nearby, showing the site was settled long before the Middle Ages.

What is its history?

The first church here was dedicated to Mary and belonged to the Prince-Bishopric of Basel. In 1402 the town of Solothurn acquired the village together with the church patronage. In the early 14th century the church was rebuilt on roughly its present plan, and chapels of St. Michael (an ossuary) and St. Anthony were founded beside it. After 1722 a St. Anne chapel was added, and in time Anne replaced Mary as the church's patron.

Next door stands the St. Anthony chapel (Friedhof 1a), also protected, so the two are easy to see in one visit.

How do you get there?

The church stands by the cemetery in Balsthal, at about 47.321 N, 7.696 E, a short walk from the village centre. Regional trains run to Balsthal from Oensingen. Because this is an active burial ground, keep voices low and be respectful. Check the parish or municipal website for opening times.

Don't confuse it with the new church

Two churches in Balsthal are linked to St. Anne. The 1912–1914 parish church is in the centre, while the building described here is in the cemetery. The Catholic Marienkirche at St. Annagasse 1 is yet another site.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Friedhofkirche St. Anna still a parish church? No. The new church of 1912–1914 took over that role, and the old one serves as a cemetery and funeral church.

How old is the building? Parts go back much further than the current walls: foundations date to Roman times and the 11th century, the tower and chancel have Romanesque elements, and the interior is mostly 15th–17th century with Baroque changes of 1760–1770.

Is the church protected? Yes, it is on the Solothurn list of protected objects for the municipality of Balsthal.

Can I go inside? That depends on opening hours and funeral services. Ask the parish or municipal office before you go.