St. Remigius Catholic Church

St. Remigius Catholic Church in Metzerlen is the parish church of the village of Metzerlen in the canton of Solothurn, north-western Switzerland. It stands in the Leimental valley, a short drive from the French border and Basel, and belongs to the Diocese of Basel. The present building dates from 1819 to 1821.

Where is the church and how do you get there?

Metzerlen lies in the Dorneck district, at the northern foot of the Blauen ridge in the gentle Birsig valley. The church sits at roughly 47.466 N, 7.466 E. The village is strung along an S-shaped main street, so the church is easy to find by following the road through the settlement. From Basel you drive up the Leimental; parking is limited to spots along the street. Mariastein is very close, which makes it simple to see both places on one outing.

What is the church's history?

The first church dedicated to St. Remigius did not stand in the village itself but on the ridge above Metzerlen. It was pulled down in 1819 and replaced by a new church built between 1819 and 1821, which still serves the parish. The Swiss inventory of protected village sites (ISOS) lists it as the Catholic church of St. Remigius, dated 1819.

The village itself goes back much further. It first appears in records in 1194 as "Mezherlon". It was one of the seven free villages on the slopes of the Blauen and passed to Solothurn in 1515. The current spelling, Metzerlen, became official in 2002. About 290 people lived here in 1739; by 2000 the population had grown to 817.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

The closest highlight is Mariastein, part of the municipality of Metzerlen-Mariastein, known for its Benedictine monastery and pilgrimage shrine. It is a separate site, but so close that it complements a stop at the parish church. The ruins of Rotberg castle, first mentioned in 1311, also survive in the area, and hiking trails lead from the village towards the Blauen ridge and neighbouring Leimental villages.

When is the best time to visit?

This is a working parish church, so it is best to come outside service times and keep quiet inside. Mass times are published by the parish. The valley is most pleasant from spring to autumn, when the weather suits walks around the area.

Frequently asked questions

Where is St. Remigius Church? In Metzerlen, canton Solothurn, in the Leimental valley near Basel.

When was the current church built? Between 1819 and 1821, after an older church on the hill above the village was demolished.

Is it the same as the monastery at Mariastein? No. Mariastein is a separate monastery and pilgrimage site within the same municipality, while St. Remigius is the Metzerlen parish church.

Which diocese does it belong to? The Diocese of Basel.