Franciscan Church, Solothurn

The Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche) in Solothurn stands in the heart of the old town, on Barfüssergasse. It is a Gothic mendicant church from the late 13th century and now serves the Christian Catholic (Old Catholic) parish. If you are walking Solothurn's baroque centre, it makes a quiet stop with a layered past.

What kind of building is it?

Franciscan friars settled in Solothurn around 1280. A building survey dates the church's consecration to 1 September 1299. Its architecture follows the austere Gothic style typical of the mendicant orders, without rich decoration. After a fire in 1466 new windows were fitted in the south part, and rebuilding was finished by 1493.

What is inside?

The interior is not Gothic. Between 1823 and 1825 it was redesigned in the classicist style, and that is the look you see today. The contrast between the medieval shell and the calm, bright interior is the main draw. For serious art-history detail, there is a Swiss art guide to the church (Schweizerische Kunstführer no. 630, by Blank and Rutishauser, 1998).

How did its history unfold?

• 1529 – during the Reformation the friars left, the church suffered iconoclasm, and until 1532 it served the city's Reformed congregation as a preaching hall.
• Mid-16th century – the Franciscans returned, and the church also acted as a house church for the neighbouring French embassy, which was based in Solothurn.
• 1857 – the cantonal parliament dissolved the monastery.
• 1877 – during the Kulturkampf the church became the seat of the newly founded Christian Catholic parish.
• 1984–1994 – the church underwent a complete restoration.

The former convent next door, converted in 2004-05, now houses cantonal administration offices. During that work archaeologists found well-preserved remains of the medieval friary, including the old west facade of the first monastery.

How do you get there, and when should you visit?

The church sits in the pedestrian old town, a few minutes on foot from Solothurn railway station and St. Ursus Cathedral. Pair it with a stroll along Barfüssergasse and the surrounding lanes. The city's official page lists no fixed visiting hours, so check with the Christian Catholic parish or visit during a service, which people of any denomination may attend.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Franciscan Church in Solothurn still in use? Yes. The Christian Catholic parish has used it since 1877, and services are open to everyone.

How old is the church? It dates from the late 13th century and was consecrated in 1299. The current interior is classicist, from 1823-1825.

Do Franciscans still live here? No. The monastery was abolished in 1857, and the old convent buildings now hold cantonal offices.

Can the church be rented? According to the city's tourism page, it can be rented for services through the Christian Catholic parish.