Sacred Monuments in Switzerland

St. Remigius Catholic Church

Metzerlen

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.

kath. Kirche

The Catholic parish church of St. Peter in Büsserach stands in the village of Büsserach, in the Thierstein district of the canton of Solothurn, north-western Switzerland. Maps and listings label it simply "kath. Kirche" (Catholic church), but it is the village's main place of worship, and its tower is among the oldest standing structures in the community. What is this church and who ran it? The parish is dedicated to St. Peter, and church directories associate it with the feast of the Chair of St. Peter (Petri Stuhlfeier) within the Diocese of Basel. From 1302 the parish church and its patronage rights belonged to Beinwil Abbey, a Benedictine house that already held land around Büsserach in the late twelfth century. For centuries the village therefore lay within that monastery's sphere. What will you see? The oldest visible part is the tower, built in 1464. The nave is much younger: a church of 1759 was pulled down in 1951 and its replacement was consecrated in 1953. Medieval tower plus mid-twentieth-century nave neatly mirrors the village's growth, from roughly 670 residents in 1850 to over 1,100 by 1950. Work on the site in 1951 uncovered early medieval graves beneath the church, showing that people were burying their dead here long before the tower rose. The wider area has also yielded Roman-era and early medieval settlement traces, and the nearby Thiersteinhöhle cave holds Palaeolithic finds. What else is nearby? Above the village stands Neu-Thierstein castle, home to Solothurn's bailiff until 1798. Solothurn took over the territory in 1522 after the counts of Thierstein died out. The village lies on a slope east of the valley road toward the Passwang pass, so a church visit pairs easily with a walk in the surrounding hills. Büsserach kept the old faith through the Reformation, which explains why the Catholic parish remains central to village life. Its economic story forms a useful backdrop: coal mining from 1766, home weaving for Basel merchants, and a silk-twisting mill that ran from 1861 to 1932. When should you visit? This is a working parish church, so plan around service times. The exterior and the tower are visible in any season, while spring and summer suit combining the stop with walks along the Lüssel valley or up toward the castle. Frequently asked questions What is the church's real name? It is the parish church of St. Peter in Büsserach, listed under the generic label "kath. Kirche" in travel data. How old is it? The tower dates from 1464. The present nave was consecrated in 1953 after the 1759 church was demolished. Was anything found under the building? Yes. In 1951 early medieval graves were discovered beneath it. Is there anything else to see close by? Yes: Neu-Thierstein castle and the countryside around the Passwang road.

St. Peter and Paul parish church

Erschwil

St. Peter and Paul parish church in Erschwil is a Catholic church in a small village in the canton of Solothurn, north-western Switzerland. It stands at Schmelzistrasse 3 in the Lüssel valley, in the Thierstein district. The canton lists it among its protected buildings, and its best-known feature is a historic organ built in 1788. What is the history of the church? The dedication to Peter and Paul goes back a long way. According to the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, the church was incorporated into Beinwil Abbey in 1219. The monastery held estates and tithe rights in the village under the protection of the Lords of Thierstein. Solothurn took over the village and that protection in 1522, and Erschwil belonged to the Thierstein bailiwick until 1798. The villagers adopted the Reformation between 1529 and 1533, but the community later returned to Catholicism. Until 1531, and again from then until 1822, Erschwil shared a parish with neighbouring Büsserach. Since 1822 the village has had its own parish, and the church remains the focus of religious life here. Why do music lovers visit the organ? The most valuable item inside is an instrument made in 1788 by Johann Jacob Brosy, an organ builder from Basel. It was built in Mulhouse in Alsace, sold in 1834 to Dornach near Mulhouse, and finally bought for Erschwil in 1861. The Solothurn heritage office covers it in its ADSO publications (2003 and 2012 volumes). An association, Amici dell'organo Brosy di Erschwil, looks after the instrument and promotes concerts. Check the parish or municipal announcements for organ recitals before you go. What else is there to see in Erschwil? The village stretches along both banks of the Lüssel and was first recorded in 1147 as Hergiswilre. From the 15th to the early 18th century, bog iron ore was smelted here, and in 1512 the first blast furnace on Solothurn territory went up. The name Schmelzistrasse, the street of the church, recalls that industry. St. Joseph's chapel dates from the 17th century and sits on the old Passwang road. The Lange Brücke was built around 1730 and the schoolhouse in 1746. With about 930 residents in 2000, the village is easy to walk through, and a stop at the church fits into a short stroll. How do you get to Erschwil? The village lies roughly 25 km south of Basel, in the Lüssel valley leading toward the Passwang and the Solothurn Jura. The church is at about 47.374 N, 7.541 E. You can drive up the valley from Laufen and Breitenbach, or use regional public transport towards Laufental and Balsthal. Check current timetables before travelling. When is the best time to visit? Summer and early autumn are best, when the Passwang area is good for hiking and you can combine the church with a walk along the valley. The interior is not always open outside services and concerts, so ask the parish or check mass times. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the church? At Schmelzistrasse 3 in Erschwil, canton of Solothurn. Is it a protected monument? Yes, it appears on the cantonal list of protected objects and in publications of the Solothurn heritage office. What is special about the organ? It is a 1788 instrument by Johann Jacob Brosy, in Erschwil since 1861. How old is the dedication to Peter and Paul? Sources mention it already in 1219, when the church was incorporated into Beinwil Abbey.

St. Fridolin catholic church

Holderbank (SO)

St. Fridolin Catholic Church in Holderbank (SO) is the village parish church in the Swiss canton of Solothurn, in the Thal district. It dates from 1734 and is listed in the cantonal register of protected buildings as the Pfarrkirche St. Fridolin. It stands at Kirchgasse 98, at about 47.3335 N, 7.7533 E. Where is St. Fridolin church? Holderbank is a linear street village in the longitudinal valley between the first and second Jura ranges, right by the Oberer Hauenstein pass. The church belongs to the Diocese of Basel, in the St. Verena pastoral region. Pass traffic shaped the settlement for centuries: the present road along the valley floor was built in 1830-34, while the older imperial road ran higher up the sunny slope. What is the history of the parish? The village is first recorded in 1226 as "in villa Halderwane". It passed to Solothurn in 1416 and, until 1798, belonged to the bailiwick of Falkenstein and the court district of Balsthal. Patronage of the church rested with the Buchsgau chapter. Holderbank became an independent parish in 1644. For nearly two centuries afterwards the priest lived not by the present church but at the chapel of St. Wolfgang, moving only in 1823. The church of St. Fridolin itself was built in 1734, when the village had a little over 160 inhabitants. The population later grew past 600 by the mid-19th century. What else is there to see nearby? The village is small, and a walk from the church through the old streets takes a quarter of an hour or so. The area has Roman traces: archaeologists found the remains of a settlement, roof tiles, coins and possibly a Roman road. The Hauenstein region suits hiking in the Solothurn Jura, and Balsthal, the main town of the valley, is close by. How do I get there and when should I visit? Holderbank lies on the old route over the Oberer Hauenstein, in the Thal valley towards the Basel region. Since 1970 the A2 motorway has carried most through traffic, so the village road is quiet. The building is an active parish church, so visit outside service times. Check the Diocese of Basel or parish websites for Mass times and opening hours. Frequently asked questions When was St. Fridolin church in Holderbank built? In 1734. The parish itself dates from 1644. Is it a listed building? Yes. It appears in Solothurn's cantonal list of protected objects at Kirchgasse 98. Which diocese does it belong to? The Diocese of Basel, St. Verena region. Are there other historic sites in Holderbank? Yes. The chapel of St. Wolfgang, where the priest lived until 1823, and Roman settlement traces around the village.

Katholische Kirche Mariä Himmelfahrt

Wolfwil

The Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Wolfwil (German: Kirche Mariä Himmelfahrt) is the parish church of the village of Wolfwil in the Swiss canton of Solothurn. It sits at Kirchstrasse 1 in the middle of the village and has also drawn Marian pilgrims for centuries. What is this church and how did it begin? The present church was built between 1616 and 1620 and enlarged in 1976–1977, so a newer extension joins the historic core. It belongs to the Diocese of Basel, in the St. Verena region. The community is older than the walls. The oldest archaeologically proven Christian burial nearby dates to the 11th century. Under Solothurn rule the village was first served by the priest of Laupersdorf, then from 1521 to 1622 by the priest of Kestenholz. An independent parish was founded in 1622, and until 1679 it also covered Fulenbach. Why do pilgrims come here? A small chapel dedicated to Maria Hilf (Mary, Help of Christians) stood here before the current church. A hiking brochure from the canton tells how, during the iconoclasm of 1528, a statue of Mary was recovered from thicket on the banks of the Aare at Wolfwil and carried up to the old chapel. Veneration grew around it, and a pilgrimage tradition developed that has survived to this day. An altar of grace stands in the old choir. What will you see? The church is listed in the cantonal register of protected buildings for Wolfwil. The old part of the church and the former rectory are also under heritage protection. Combine your visit with a short walk past other protected sites on the same list: the Old Rectory, the First Schoolhouse (Erstes Schulhaus) and the fountain beside the church. Together they form a compact ensemble at the heart of the village. How do you get there? Wolfwil lies in the Aare valley in the canton of Solothurn, between Olten and Oensingen. The church is at roughly 47.269 N, 7.800 E. Drive local roads from Olten or Oensingen, or take regional public transport to the village and walk a few minutes to Kirchstrasse. The church stands on the main axis of the village and is easy to find. When should you visit? This is a working parish church, so visit outside service times unless you wish to attend one. The Feast of the Assumption on 15 August is a fitting day to see the site in the context of Marian devotion. Allow about an hour, including a stroll through the village. Frequently asked questions When was the church in Wolfwil built? The present church dates from 1616–1620 and was extended in 1976–1977. Is it a pilgrimage site? Yes. Marian veneration in Wolfwil goes back to the period after 1528, and the church remains a place of pilgrimage. Is the church a protected monument? Yes. It appears in the cantonal list of protected objects for Wolfwil at Kirchstrasse 1. What else is worth seeing nearby? The Old Rectory, the First Schoolhouse and the fountain by the church are also protected.

St. Katharina parish church

Gunzgen

St. Katharina parish church (Pfarrkirche St. Katharina) in Gunzgen is a Catholic church in the canton of Solothurn, Switzerland, at Oberfeldweg 1. It grew out of a 17th-century chapel and today serves the village's own parish. The canton's heritage authority lists it as a protected building. What is St. Katharina church in Gunzgen? Gunzgen is a small village in the canton of Solothurn, set between Hägendorf and Kappel. St. Katharina is its main place of worship and the focus of local parish life. The church belongs to the Diocese of Basel, within the pastoral region of St. Verena. What is the history of the church? The building's story follows that of the parish. Until 1687 Gunzgen belonged ecclesiastically to Hägendorf, and afterwards to Kappel. A chapel was built in the village in 1643. When Gunzgen became an independent parish in 1860, that chapel was enlarged and became the parish church dedicated to St. Katharina, the saint of Alexandria, a widespread patron of churches across Switzerland. Is the church a protected monument? Yes. The Pfarrkirche St. Katharina appears on the Solothurn cantonal list of protected objects for Gunzgen, together with the Ghööl-Chrüz wayside cross at Kirchweg 10. The cantonal heritage office has also supported restoration work on the church's interior, furnishings and stained glass. What can you see there? This is a modest village church rather than a grand monument. Pay attention to the restored interior and stained glass, and to the way the building sits within the village. The Ghööl-Chrüz wayside cross stands nearby on Kirchweg, so you can see both heritage objects on one short walk. How do you get there? The church is in the centre of Gunzgen at roughly 47.315 N, 7.827 E, close to Hägendorf and Kappel and not far from Olten. You can arrive by car or by regional public transport to the nearby stations. The village is small enough that the church is within walking distance from anywhere in it. When should you visit? The church is in active parish use, so the best time to look around is outside service hours, when you can see the interior in peace. The parish publishes its service times. Spring and summer are pleasant for strolling, with green fields and the Jura hills around the village. Frequently asked questions When was St. Katharina church in Gunzgen built? The original chapel dates from 1643. In 1860, when the village became an independent parish, it was enlarged into a parish church. Where exactly is the church? At Oberfeldweg 1 in Gunzgen, canton of Solothurn. Is the church protected? Yes, it is on the canton of Solothurn's list of protected objects for the municipality of Gunzgen. Which diocese does it belong to? The Diocese of Basel, in the pastoral region of St. Verena. Since when has Gunzgen had its own parish? Since 1860. Before that the village belonged to the parish of Hägendorf and later Kappel.

Saint Martin Church

St. Martin's Church in Egerkingen is the Catholic parish church of the village of Egerkingen in the canton of Solothurn, northwestern Switzerland. It sits on a walled terrace slightly above the street, and its roots go back to the Carolingian period. For anyone curious about Swiss history, it is a place where many centuries are layered under one roof. What is the history of St. Martin's? According to the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, the church dates to Carolingian times and rests on Roman foundations. That detail is backed by archaeology: the canton's archaeologists have documented a large Roman country estate beneath the church and its surroundings. A 2007 dig close by also uncovered a medieval sunken-floor building, several pits and a late-medieval cellar. The church is first mentioned in 1294. At that time the right to appoint its priest was shared equally between the Counts of Falkenstein and the Knights of St. John from the commandery at Thunstetten. After the commandery was dissolved in 1528, Bern's share passed to Solothurn in 1539 under the Treaty of Wynigen. The parish once covered neighbouring villages too: Neuendorf until 1649 and Härkingen until 1805. What does the building look like? The ISOS heritage inventory describes St. Martin's as a narrow single-nave church with a Gothic choir tower. The whole complex stands on a masonry terrace, which gives it a clear presence in the village. It is listed among the protected monuments of the canton of Solothurn, at Domherrenstrasse 2. Where is it and how do you get there? The church is in the centre of Egerkingen, at roughly 47.323 N, 7.792 E. The village lies near the border between the cantons of Solothurn and Basel-Landschaft, close to Oensingen and Härkingen, on the route between Olten and Balsthal. You can reach it from Olten or Solothurn by road or rail, and from the station it is a short walk through the old village. There is no ticketed attraction here: it is best enjoyed as a calm stop and a starting point for a stroll. What else is nearby? Egerkingen works well as a base for exploring the canton: the old town of Solothurn, the town of Olten and the gentle hills of the Jura are all within reach. Several churches in the region share the St. Martin dedication, for example in Olten and Laupersdorf, so check the village name in your navigation app. Frequently asked questions Which diocese does the church belong to? The Diocese of Basel, in the St. Verena pastoral region. It is a Roman-rite parish church. Is the church a listed monument? Yes. It appears on the canton of Solothurn's list of protected objects, and the area around it is also an archaeological site. How old is it? Its origins reach back to the Carolingian era, and the first written record dates from 1294. The choir tower is Gothic in character. Are there Roman remains under the church? Yes. The church stands on Roman foundations, and archaeologists have found the remains of a Roman country estate in the area.

Marienkirche

Oberbuchsiten

Marienkirche in Oberbuchsiten is the Catholic parish church of Oberbuchsiten, a village in the Gäu district of the Swiss canton of Solothurn. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it stands in the village centre at the southern foot of the Jura and is listed as a cantonal heritage monument. What is the history of the church? Records mention the church's patronage as early as 1201, and in 1420 the right passed to the city of Solothurn. A fire in 1506 destroyed the building, and the villagers rebuilt it, with consecration in 1520. That late-medieval church stood until 1937, when it was pulled down. Solothurn architect Otto Sperisen designed the replacement on the same site. One older element survives: the bell tower dating from 1578, which was incorporated into the new church. What can you see? Much of the furnishing was carried over from the earlier church. Most pieces date from the early 19th century, with a few from the 1700s. The parish also worked on re-creating a ceiling painting of the Assumption of Mary, which had been removed in 1967. The exterior was restored in 1991, the canton co-funded another exterior restoration in 2008, and the interior was renovated in spring 2009. What else is there in Oberbuchsiten? The village sits on the alluvial fan of the Mülibach stream. Finds here include Bronze Age settlement traces, Hallstatt-period graves and a Roman estate with a cemetery of about 150 graves. The name appears in records in the 11th century. Solothurn took control in 1463, after earlier rule by the Bishop of Basel and by Bern. About 1,840 people lived here in 2000. Nearby you can also visit the 1637 chapel at the Schälismühle mill, restored in 2008, and the old toll house on the road over the Buchsiter Berg. How do you get there? The Gäubahn line has served the village since 1876, linking Olten and Solothurn, and regional trains from Olten take a short ride. By car, the Härkingen motorway junction is right nearby. The church is in the village centre, at roughly 47.3116 N, 7.7658 E. When should you visit? Come during the day, outside service times. This is a working parish church, so sightseeing during Mass is not appropriate. Spring and early autumn suit walks on the Jura slopes above the village. Frequently asked questions Is the present church medieval? No. The building dates from 1937. Only the 1578 bell tower and part of the furnishings come from the older church. Who designed it? Otto Sperisen, an architect from Solothurn. Is the church a protected monument? Yes, it is under heritage protection in the canton of Solothurn. Is it the only historic religious site in the village? No. The 1637 Schälismühle chapel is close by.

St. Nikolaus

St. Nikolaus parish church sits in Niederbuchsiten, a small municipality in the canton of Solothurn in north-western Switzerland. The building you see today dates from 1934–1935, yet worship on this spot goes back to the Middle Ages. What is the history of St. Nikolaus in Niederbuchsiten? The story starts with a chapel dedicated to St. Nicholas of Myra, built, according to the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (HLS), probably in the 13th century. At first it belonged to the parish of Oensingen. After a new church was consecrated in 1604, it came under neighbouring Oberbuchsiten. Niederbuchsiten became a parish in its own right in 1805. Until 1934 a baroque church with wall paintings occupied the site. It was pulled down and the present church went up in 1934–1935. Only two pieces of the older building survive: a builder's stone (Baumeisterstein) dated 1604 and an Empire-style baptismal font. What can you see here? A statue of the patron saint stands on the tower. The church is listed as "Pfarrkirche St. Nikolaus, 1934/35" in ISOS, the federal inventory of Swiss townscapes, which documents the built fabric of Niederbuchsiten. Inside, look for the surviving relics of the earlier church: the dated stone and the font. What about the bells? The bells were cast in 1935 by H. Rüetschi AG in Aarau. The largest, the Christkönigsglocke (Christ the King bell), weighs 3,000 kg. Swiss radio SRF Musikwelle featured the Niederbuchsiten bells in its "Glocken der Heimat" series, so you can hear them before you go. How to plan a visit Niederbuchsiten lies in canton Solothurn, close to Oensingen and Oberbuchsiten. The church makes a quiet stop on a day out in the area and a look around takes a quarter of an hour or so. It is a working parish church, so visit outside service times and keep the noise down. Frequently asked questions When was the current church built? In 1934–1935, replacing an earlier baroque church. What remains of the old church? A builder's stone dated 1604 and an Empire-period baptismal font. When did Niederbuchsiten become its own parish? In 1805. Before that, the chapel was tied first to Oensingen and later to Oberbuchsiten. How heavy is the biggest bell? The Christkönigsglocke weighs 3,000 kg and was cast in Aarau in 1935.

Sankt-Martin

St. Martin's Church (Sankt Martin) in Laupersdorf is the Roman Catholic parish church of Laupersdorf, a village in the canton of Solothurn in north-western Switzerland. It is a protected cantonal heritage building with roots reaching back to the early Middle Ages. What is the history behind the church? People settled here in the early medieval period. The first church, dedicated to Saint Martin, most likely stood on the Chilchenfeld field north of the village, where a stone cross now marks the spot. Excavations in 1967 uncovered burials from the 7th century. Over the centuries the building grew: a new choir in 1504, a larger nave between 1659 and 1662, and a taller tower in 1668. Where does the present building come from? The old church was pulled down after architect Alfred Zschokke designed and built a new one in 1859–1860, roughly 300 metres to the south. Another major overhaul followed in 1952–53 under Solothurn architect Otto Sperisen, who cleared out the older furnishings, added timber ceilings and built a porch on the west side. Ticino painter Ottorino Olgiati created the Stations of the Cross as frescoes during the same project. What can you see inside? The interior pairs a 19th-century structure with mid-20th-century changes. The Olgiati fresco cycle is the highlight. During the 1996 interior renovation, parts of the original plaster ceilings were exposed and restored. In 2015 the cantonal government granted funding towards a further interior renovation. How do you plan a visit? The church stands in the centre of Laupersdorf, in the Thal valley in the Jura. You can arrive by car or by regional transport from Balsthal. The Chilchenfeld field with the stone cross, site of the first church, makes a short add-on to a village walk. Check opening times with the parish, as the interior is not always open outside services. Frequently asked questions When was the current St. Martin's Church built? In 1859–1860, to plans by Alfred Zschokke. The interior was extensively remodelled in 1952–53. Is it the oldest place of worship in the village? No. The first Saint Martin church stood about 300 metres to the north, and graves found there date from the 7th century. Who painted the Stations of the Cross? Ottorino Olgiati, a painter from Ticino, during the 1952–53 remodelling. Is the church a listed monument? Yes, it is protected as a heritage building by the canton of Solothurn.

Reformierte Kirche (1502)

The Reformed Church of Aetingen (1502) is a late Gothic parish church in the village of Aetingen, canton of Solothurn, Switzerland. The village now belongs to the municipality of Buchegg in the Bucheggberg region, and the church tower, dated 1502, is its best-known landmark. What is the history of the church? The church is first recorded in 1275 and was dedicated to Mary and Saint Gall. Patronage rights lay with the Abbey of St. Gallen until 1345, then with the Hospitaller commandery at Thunstetten, and passed to Bern after the Reformation in 1528. That is why the building has long served a Reformed congregation. The late Gothic church went up between 1502 and 1510. It was altered in the 17th century and again in 1853-1854. The four-storey tower is built of tufa stone; the Swiss inventory of heritage sites (ISOS) records an extension in 1696 and a restoration in 1957. What did archaeologists find? Excavations in 1977-1978 uncovered traces of three or four earlier buildings under the church, spanning roughly 800 to 1500. People have worshipped on this spot far longer than the tower's date suggests. What is there to see? The church stands among the village houses. The main draw is the exterior: the tower and the layers of rebuilding, from the early 16th-century Gothic core to later additions. Interiors are not usually open every day, so plan for a look at the building and its surroundings. How do you get there? Aetingen lies near the border of the cantons of Solothurn and Bern, close to Mühledorf. Driving from Solothurn or Bern is easiest. Local buses serve the village, and the SBB timetable shows current connections. When should you visit? Spring and early autumn suit best, when a stop here fits into a walk across the gentle hills of Bucheggberg. The church works well as one stop on a day trip through the region's villages. Frequently asked questions Is this a Protestant church? Yes. It has been Reformed since 1528 and, into the early 21st century, formed the parish of Aetingen-Mühledorf. When was it built? The tower is dated 1502 and construction ran until 1510. The church is first mentioned in 1275. Where exactly is Aetingen? In the canton of Solothurn, in the municipality of Buchegg, Bucheggberg region, at about 47.132° N, 7.504° E. Were there older buildings on the site? Yes. The 1977-1978 excavations revealed three or four earlier structures dating from about 800 to 1500.

Reformierte Kirche Lüsslingen-Nennigkofen

Lüsslingen-Nennigkofen

The Reformed church in Lüsslingen (Kirche Lüsslingen, municipality of Lüsslingen-Nennigkofen) sits on the northern slope of the Bucheggberg hills in the canton of Solothurn. It is the Protestant parish church of the village, with roots reaching back to the early Middle Ages, and the cantonal heritage office lists it at Kirchgasse 83. Where is the church? The church stands in Lüsslingen village, at about 439 m above sea level. Until 2013 Lüsslingen was a municipality of its own; on 1 January 2013 it merged with neighbouring Nennigkofen to form Lüsslingen-Nennigkofen. Of all the municipalities in the Bucheggberg district, Lüsslingen lies closest to the city of Solothurn, so a stop here fits easily into a day trip from the old town. What is its history? According to the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland, the church was founded in the early Middle Ages. The building you see today dates mainly from 1652 and 1722. Lüsslingen and Nennigkofen came under the rule of the city of Solothurn in 1539, and the village is first recorded in 1251 as "Luslingen". Whom does it serve? The Reformed parish of Lüsslingen covers more than the village itself: Nennigkofen and Lüterkofen-Ichertswil belong to it too. The church is therefore a shared centre for several nearby communities. Solothurn is a mostly Catholic canton, which makes the Reformed parishes of the Bucheggberg a distinctive trait of the region. What else is there to see nearby? The village keeps a rectangular street layout and several farmhouses with hipped roofs, although its farming character has been reshaped by the Solothurn urban area next door. Charcoal was burned on the Aarefeld for about four decades until 1869, and a cheese cooperative was founded in 1887. Early medieval graves were found near the village in 1953, and a Roman road from Aventicum to Augusta Raurica ran between Lüsslingen and Leuzigen. A walk around the village with the church as its focal point gives a good picture of rural life on the Bucheggberg. How do you get there? The church lies on Kirchgasse in the village centre, at roughly 47.188 N, 7.501 E. Lüsslingen borders Bellach, Biberist, Lohn-Ammannsegg, Lüterkofen-Ichertswil, Nennigkofen and Selzach, and the short distance from Solothurn is easy to cover by car or bike. Frequently asked questions Is this the church in Lüsslingen or Nennigkofen? It is in Lüsslingen. The parish also includes Nennigkofen, so residents of both villages belong to it. When was the building constructed? The church was founded in the early Middle Ages; its present form comes mainly from work carried out in 1652 and 1722. Which denomination does it belong to? It is a Reformed church, part of the Protestant tradition that follows Calvin. Is there anything else to see close by? Yes. The village preserves its traditional street plan and some old farmhouses, and Solothurn with its historic old town is only a few kilometres away.

Reformierte Kirche Leuzigen

Leuzigen

The Reformed Church in Leuzigen (Reformierte Kirche Leuzigen) sits at the western edge of the village of Leuzigen in the canton of Bern. Its origins go back to the 11th and 12th centuries, when a Cluniac priory stood on the site. Today it serves as the parish church of a small municipality on the Aare, right next to the border with the canton of Solothurn. What is the history of the church? The church grew out of a Cluniac priory, a small monastic community tied to the abbey of Cluny. The oldest part of the building dates to the 11th to 12th century. A building survey was carried out here in 1986, and its findings appeared in 1989 in a publication on the Reformed parish church and the former priory. The history of the parish is more tangled than that of the building. For a long time Leuzigen had no parish of its own. A priest from neighbouring Lüsslingen served the village, and masses were also held in the chapel of St Ulrich, mentioned in records between 1336 and 1473. After the Reformation, Bern confirmed in 1530 that the chapel belonged to the community, yet in 1532 Leuzigen was assigned to the parish of Arch. It became a church community in its own right only in 1981, forming the joint parish office of Leuzigen-Arch. Where is Leuzigen and how do you get there? The village lies at 456 m above sea level and is the last village of the Seeland region in canton Bern. Solothurn territory surrounds it on three sides, and the Aare forms its northern boundary. The Solothurn–Büren railway closed in 1994, so there is no station. Buses 8 and 888 run to Solothurn and Zollikofen every hour, more often at peak times. The A5 motorway passes through the municipality, which makes driving straightforward. What else is there to see nearby? Pair the church with a stroll through the village. Leuzigen still has a mill from 1821, and the federal ISOS inventory of protected village sites also mentions an old schoolhouse from 1662. From spring to autumn a ferry crosses the Aare between Leuzigen and Altreu, which makes it easy to plan a walk or cycle loop along the river. When should you visit? You can see a village church in a quarter of an hour, so treat it as one stop on a longer trip through Seeland or a ferry crossing. The best time is spring to autumn, when the Aare ferry runs and the days are long. Check service times and any interior access with the Leuzigen-Arch parish. Frequently asked questions Does Leuzigen have a railway station? No. The Solothurn–Büren line closed in 1994. Buses 8 and 888 serve the village. How old is the church? Its oldest parts go back to the 11th to 12th century, to the time of the Cluniac priory. Since when has Leuzigen had its own parish? Since 1981. Before that the village belonged to neighbouring parishes, and after the Reformation to Arch. Can you reach Leuzigen by ferry? Yes. From spring to autumn a ferry links Leuzigen with Altreu across the Aare.

St. Pankratius parish church

St. Pankratius parish church in Matzendorf is a Catholic church in the canton of Solothurn, Switzerland. It stands at Kirchstrasse 71 on a hill between Matzendorf and neighbouring Aedermannsdorf, and it is listed among the protected buildings of the municipality of Matzendorf. What is the history of the church? A church in Matzendorf is first recorded in 1302, then dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The tower, built in 1457, is the part that survives from that era. Around 1520 the old nave gave way to a new late Gothic building, and the dedication changed to Saint Pankratius. The church was enlarged in 1781, and the architect Paolo Pisoni is named in connection with that work. A. Fluri examined the building's story in detail in a 2007 article in the Jahrbuch für Solothurnische Geschichte. What will you see? The church layers several periods: a medieval tower, a late Gothic core from the early 16th century and an extension from the late 18th century. Its hilltop position makes it a visible landmark in the Jura foothills. Walk around the exterior and compare the oldest masonry with the later additions. The building is also covered by the regional heritage inventory, the Kunstdenkmäler des Kantons Solothurn. When and how to visit? Services take place on Sundays at 10:30. No general visiting hours are published, so check current information and events on the municipal site, matzendorf.ch. On Sunday mornings the interior serves the congregation, so plan a sightseeing visit for another time or after the service. The church is a popular choice for weddings, so weekends can be busy. What else is there in Matzendorf? Matzendorf lies in the Jura uplands of Solothurn and is today a residential, craft and farming municipality. Between 1797 and 1798 Ludwig von Roll set up a works in neighbouring Aedermannsdorf that produced the so-called Matzendorf faience until 1883. This ceramics tradition is the best-known chapter of local history and pairs well with a stop at the church. Frequently asked questions Where is St. Pankratius church? At Kirchstrasse 71 in Matzendorf, on a hill between Matzendorf and Aedermannsdorf in the canton of Solothurn. How old is the church? The tower dates from 1457, the new nave from around 1520 in late Gothic style, and the extension from 1781. When are services held? On Sundays at 10:30. Other events are listed on matzendorf.ch. Is the church a protected monument? Yes. It appears on the cantonal list of protected buildings for Matzendorf.

St. Joseph Church

Aedermannsdorf

St. Joseph Church (Kirche St. Josef) in Aedermannsdorf is a modern Catholic parish church in the village of Aedermannsdorf, canton of Solothurn, in the Swiss Jura. Built in the 1960s, it shows how Swiss church architecture looked after the Second World War. Where is it and how do you get there? Aedermannsdorf is a small village of roughly 600 people in the Thal district, about 530 m above sea level. It sits in a hollow beside the Meisebach stream on the sunny north side of the Dünnern valley. The district seat, Balsthal, lies about 7 km to the east. The village is just over a kilometre from the main road between Oensingen and Moutier, and a PostBus line connects Balsthal with Gänsbrunnen. The church stands on slightly raised ground west of the main street, reached via Kirchstrasse. What is its history? The village once belonged to the church community of Matzendorf. A Catholic local association formed here in 1932, and in December 1962 Aedermannsdorf became a parish rectorate. A panel of experts chose the design by Zurich architect Walter Moser in June 1964. The foundation stone was laid on 15 August 1966 and the church was consecrated on 13 August 1967, the year the village gained its own independent parish. Today it belongs to the Pastoral Region Dünnerntal. What can you see inside and out? The building is a white-painted, polygonal hall under a mono-pitch roof that climbs toward the southeast. The tower rises on the northeast side, with clock faces formed as reliefs in the concrete and a cross on top. It is broad rather than tall, because the church itself occupies elevated ground. Inside, pews curve in a semicircle around the central altar. The altar and other stonework are Cristallina marble, worked by Alfred Huber, and the floor is dark slate. The tabernacle is bronze. Emil Reich made the five stained-glass windows between 1970 and 1972, and a bronze statue of John the Baptist greets visitors at the entrance. Five bells were cast in 1966 by the Bachert foundry in Karlsruhe, dedicated to the Trinity, St. Joseph, the Mother of God, St. Benedict and the Guardian Angel. The organ, built in 1973 by Orgelbau Graf of Sursee, has 20 stops, two manuals and pedal, and mechanical action. When should you visit? Daytime is best, when light passes through the stained glass. The church fits well into a walk or drive through the Dünnern valley. During services keep quiet and avoid photographing worshippers; the parish of the Pastoral Region Dünnerntal publishes service times. Frequently asked questions Is the church old? No. It was built in 1966–1967, so it represents modern rather than historic architecture. Who designed it? Walter Moser of Zurich, whose plan was selected by an expert commission in 1964. Is there art inside? Yes: five stained-glass windows by Emil Reich, a marble altar by Alfred Huber, a bronze tabernacle and a John the Baptist statue at the entrance. How do I reach it without a car? Take the PostBus from Balsthal toward Gänsbrunnen. Balsthal itself is reachable by public transport from nearby towns.

Pfarrkirche St. Peter und Paul

The Parish Church of St. Peter and Paul (Pfarrkirche St. Peter und Paul) is in Flumenthal, a village in the Swiss canton of Solothurn, a few kilometres northeast of the cantonal capital. It is one of the oldest parish churches in the area, and the building you see today dates from the early 16th century. What is this church and where is it? The church sits at Kirchgasse 31 in the village centre and is dedicated to the apostles Peter and Paul. It appears on the canton's list of protected buildings, and a 2008 draft inventory also lists it among cultural properties of national significance. For anyone interested in sacred architecture, it is a worthwhile stop in this part of Switzerland. What is its history? The first written record is from 1228, when it is named as the first parish church of the Solothurn deanery. It was founded by the Barons of Balm, who held the surrounding land at the time. Nobody knows what that earliest building looked like. The right to appoint the parish priest changed hands over the centuries. It went to Count Rudolf of Neuchâtel-Nidau in 1336 and to the city of Solothurn in 1411. The present church was built in 1513, a date confirmed by dendrochronology, the dating of tree rings in the roof timbers. What do we know about its restoration? The church has been restored in stages. Reports from the Solothurn heritage office mention partial restorations, and the 2002 report lists an exterior renovation. Stefan Blank published a study of the building in 1999 in the series "Archäologie und Denkmalpflege im Kanton Solothurn" (volume 4). For technical detail, that article and the canton's heritage publications are the best place to start. How should I plan a visit? Flumenthal is a small village, so the church fits easily into a day trip from Solothurn, the baroque town on the Aare. Check public transport connections on sbb.ch. Confirm interior opening hours with the parish before you go, because rural Swiss churches are not always open all day. The exterior can be viewed in any season, and clear mornings give the best light for photos. Frequently asked questions When was the current church in Flumenthal built? The present building dates from 1513, confirmed by analysis of the roof timbers. The parish itself is much older and appears in records from 1228. Who founded the first church? The Barons of Balm, medieval landholders in the area, founded it. The look of the original building is unknown. Is the church protected? Yes. It is on the Solothurn canton's list of protected buildings at Kirchgasse 31, and a 2008 draft inventory names it among cultural properties of national significance. Can I go inside? Opening hours depend on the parish. Check locally before travelling, as village churches may be closed outside services. How do I get there from Solothurn? Flumenthal lies close to the cantonal capital, so it is a short trip by car or bike. For public transport, use the SBB journey planner.

St. John the Baptist parish church

Herbetswil

St. John the Baptist Parish Church (Pfarrkirche St. Johann Baptist) in Herbetswil is a historicist village church in the canton of Solothurn, in the Swiss Jura. It stands at Kirchstrasse 84 in the middle of a village of roughly 600 people. It serves the local Roman Catholic parish and is listed in the cantonal register of protected monuments. Where is Herbetswil? The village belongs to the Thal district and sits on the sunny northern side of the Balsthal valley, at the foot of the Brunnersberg range. Its elevation is 524 m, and the river Dünnern runs through the valley. The district seat, Balsthal, lies about 8 km to the west-southwest as the crow flies. How do you get there? A PostBus line links Balsthal with Gänsbrunnen and stops in Herbetswil, running every 20 to 60 minutes through the day. The village is a few hundred metres from the main road between Oensingen and Moutier, so driving from the Aare valley is straightforward. What is the church's history? For centuries Herbetswil was part of the Matzendorf parish. It became an independent parish in 1843. A chapel dedicated to St. John is first recorded in building documents of 1548/49 and stood until 1896. The present parish church went up in 1891 and took over the role of main village church, keeping the dedication to John the Baptist. What will you see? A late 19th-century building in the historicist style typical of Swiss village churches of the period. A late Gothic statue of St. John the Baptist, among the oldest items in the furnishings. The organ, whose restoration is documented in the Swiss Federal Archives for about 1988 to 1994. A cleaned interior: the cantonal heritage office lists an interior cleaning of the church among its completed restoration work. The church is small and a visit takes about a quarter of an hour. Combine it with a stroll through the village and the wooded Chamben slopes that belong to the municipality. When should you visit? Summer and early autumn are the easiest seasons, with dry valley paths and good walking on the Jura slopes. The church is in active parish use, so during services keep to quiet observation from the back of the nave. Frequently asked questions When was the current church built? In 1891. The earlier St. John chapel, documented from 1548/49, was demolished in 1896. Is the church a protected monument? Yes. The Solothurn cantonal heritage office includes Pfarrkirche St. Johann Baptist in its list of protected objects for Herbetswil. How do I get there without a car? Take the PostBus from Balsthal towards Gänsbrunnen. Balsthal itself is reached by rail through the Thal valley. Are there other sights nearby? Yes. The village lies in the Solothurn Jura amid forest and pasture, which suits short walks, and the Balsthal valley holds further churches and heritage sites.

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.

St. Marien

Balsthal

St. Marien church in Balsthal is the Catholic parish church of this small town in the canton of Solothurn, northwestern Switzerland. Built between 1912 and 1914, it stands out as a well-preserved example of historicist church architecture in the region. Where is St. Marien and what is it? The church is at St. Annagasse 1, in the centre of Balsthal, where the Thal valley opens between the Jura ridges. Its coordinates are roughly 47.317 N, 7.695 E. It makes an easy stop on a stroll through town. Why was it built? In 1911 the parish decided on a new church. The earlier St. Anna church sat away from the centre and had become too small for the congregation. The commission went to architect August Hardegger of St. Gallen, chosen in early 1912. Work began that same year, and the church was consecrated on 24 May 1914. Hardegger designed several churches in the canton of Solothurn during the 1900s. St. Martin in Olten and St. Antonius in Niedergösgen belong to the same group, so the three combine well into a day of church architecture. What does it look like? The building follows a historicist style with a Romanesque flavour: a large, solid volume visible from a distance, using forms from older traditions but conceived with an early twentieth-century outlook. The interior is largely preserved in its original state, so it reflects the architect's intentions closely. Is it protected and maintained? Yes. In 2007 the canton of Solothurn added the church to its register of protected historical monuments. The interior was restored in 2007–2008 at an estimated cost of about CHF 2.9 million, with a cantonal subsidy. After that, the outer shell of the building was also repaired. How to visit It is a working parish church, so plan your visit outside service times. Keep quiet and dress suitably for a place of worship. Allow an hour or two for Balsthal. The town has other churches, including a Reformed church built 1906–1912, which is a separate building. Frequently asked questions When was St. Marien in Balsthal built? Between 1912 and 1914, and it was consecrated on 24 May 1914. Who designed it? August Hardegger (1858–1927) of St. Gallen, who designed numerous historicist churches in Switzerland. Is the church a protected monument? Yes. It has been on the Solothurn cantonal register of protected monuments since 2007. Is it the same as the St. Anna church? No. St. Anna is the older church that stood off to the side. St. Marien was built closer to the centre in 1914, and its street is named St. Annagasse.

Reformierte Kirche Worb

Worb

The Reformed Church in Worb (Reformierte Kirche Worb) stands in the centre of Worb, a few kilometres east of Bern in Switzerland. Once the parish church of St Maurice, it grew out of a site used since the early Middle Ages and is a rewarding stop for anyone interested in Swiss history and sacred art. What is the history of Worb church? Excavations in the 1980s revealed an early medieval burial ground on the spot. A timber post-built church is thought to have stood here as early as the 7th or 8th century. The surviving nave with its semicircular apse dates from the 11th century, and in the 13th century a larger rectangular chancel replaced the apse. In the 16th century the Bernese Diesbach family acquired the church patronage rights and had the old Romanesque chancel replaced by a long choir, shaping the interior seen today. The tower has Romanesque or late medieval lower parts (sources disagree on the date), while the bell storey and pointed spire were added shortly after 1700. A fire damaged the church in 1940, followed by restoration work between 1940 and 1943. What can you see inside? The highlight is the stained glass in the choir, completed around 1521. It survived the iconoclasm of 1528 that accompanied the Reformation in Bern, thanks to the patronage of the lords of Worb castle. One window shows St Maurice alongside St Ursus. Former lords of the manor were buried in the choir, among them Christoph von Graffenried (1661-1743), founder of New Bern in North Carolina. Their skeletons were uncovered in 1983 by the Archaeological Service of the Canton of Bern. Restoration also revealed fragments of 15th-century wall paintings. How do you get to the church? Worb lies in the canton of Bern, within the capital's urban area, and is linked to the city by regional rail and bus. The church sits in the old part of the village near Worb Castle, at roughly 46.930 N, 7.564 E. It is an easy walk from the central stops. When should you visit? Daytime is best, when light falls on the choir windows. The Reformed parish of Worb (Reformierte Kirchgemeinde Worb) publishes opening times and service schedules, so check its website before you go. The church is in active use, and visits may be limited during services and concerts. Frequently asked questions Who is the church dedicated to? St Maurice, the soldier-martyr, who is also the patron of other Swiss churches. How old is the building? The nave dates from the 11th century, on a site with earlier timber and burial remains. The choir and tower were built over the following centuries. Is it a listed monument? Yes, it appears in the Swiss inventory of cultural property (KGS). What else is nearby? Worb Castle, whose lords long held the church patronage, and the old village centre.

St. Martin's catholic church with St. Anne's ossuary

Baar

St. Martin's Catholic Church with St. Anne's Ossuary is the parish church of Baar, a town in the canton of Zug in central Switzerland. Right beside it stands St. Anne's chapel, a former ossuary chapel. The pair sits at Asylstrasse 2 in the middle of town, so it fits easily into a walk through Baar. What is there to see at St. Martin's? Local accounts describe the present building as the fifth church on this spot. The first stood here before 876, and Roman remains turned up nearby. The earliest record of a settlement called Baar dates from 1045. The tower is the odd one out. According to local studies, it was raised by the noble lords of Barro, and a sale contract from 1308 records it changing hands. Still, the 1952 Heimatbuch Baar questions whether the tower really predates the current nave. Its window arrangement, number of storeys and uneven storey heights are said to carry symbolic meaning. Three clock faces look out from the tower. Clockmaker Liechti of Winterthur fitted the movement in 1526, and a quarter-hour strike followed in 1604. A second hand was added during the 1961 renovation. The clock now runs electromechanically, while the old movement remains inside the tower, out of use. What is the interior like? In the 15th century the nave counted among the largest of its time. It has no columns holding up the ceiling: the roof was renewed in 1645 as a carpentry showpiece, and the former columns were removed, leaving a suspended ceiling. The church is worth a look even on a rainy day. What is St. Anne's chapel? The neighbouring chapel of St. Anne is about 500 years old. It served as an ossuary: one wall once had a window-like niche where the bones of the dead were kept. Chapels like this existed because old graves had to be cleared to make room for new burials. Both buildings are covered in a Swiss art guide (GSK) by Josef Grünenfelder, published in 2008. How to visit and when to come Entry is free, and about an hour is enough. Mass is held on Saturday at 18:00 and on Sunday at 8:00 and 10:45; a Portuguese-language Mass at 9:15 runs outside the summer holidays. For a quiet look inside, pick a time away from services. Frequently asked questions Where is the church? At Asylstrasse 2 in Baar, canton Zug, at about 47.193 N, 8.523 E. Is admission charged? No, visiting is free. How long should I plan? About an hour covers the church, the tower from outside and St. Anne's chapel. What is the ossuary next to the church? It is St. Anne's chapel, the former store for bones cleared from the churchyard. It is about 500 years old.

Reformierte Kirche Wädenswil

Wädenswil

The Reformed Church in Hütten (Reformierte Kirche Hütten) is a village church in Wädenswil, canton of Zurich, Switzerland. Hütten sits at roughly 729 m above sea level on the hills above Lake Zurich and has been part of the municipality of Wädenswil since 2019. The church stands at Dorfstrasse 3 and anchors the village. What will you see? The present building dates from 1855–1856 and is late Neoclassical. A front tower with a porch and a tent roof dominates the facade, while small quatrefoil and sixfoil windows add a Gothic Revival touch. The tower clock was installed in 1890. The architect, Johann Caspar Wolff, was then the cantonal building inspector, and he had a family link to the village: his uncle served as pastor here. Inside is a plain hall with a recessed rectangular chancel, a flat stuccoed ceiling and painted wall decoration. Two Bible verses in Fraktur lettering run across the chancel arch wall. Look for the Gothic Revival stained-glass window of Christ from 1872, designed by Georg Röttinger, and the Baroque baptismal font of 1752, saved from the earlier church. What is the history of the site? A medieval chapel of St James once stood here and was destroyed in 1656 during the First War of Villmergen. A new church followed in 1668, and in 1752 the parish formally separated from Wädenswil. Demolition of the decaying building was debated from 1844, leading to the current church. The village itself is first recorded in 1270; from 1287 to 1549 it belonged to the Hospitaller commandery of Wädenswil, then to the city of Zurich. Is the interior worth a look? Music lovers will enjoy it. Carl Rosenlächer of Konstanz cast the four bells in 1856, the largest weighing 996 kg. The Kuhn organ of 1939 (16 stops) came from the church in Ottenbach and was moved here in 1953, the same year the interior was reworked and the pulpit lowered. How do you get there, and when should you visit? Hütten lies in the Zimmerberg hills above Wädenswil, easiest to reach from Wädenswil by car or postbus. This is a working parish church, so plan around services and check opening times with the Schönenberg-Hütten parish. Frequently asked questions Is this the same church as the one in central Wädenswil? No. Wädenswil has a separate town church. This one serves the former municipality of Hütten. Who designed it? Johann Caspar Wolff, the cantonal building inspector, between 1855 and 1856. What is the oldest furnishing? The Baroque baptismal font from 1752, carried over from the previous church. Can you hear the bells? Yes, the four bells of 1856 still ring over the village.

St. Martin parish church

Olten

St. Martin parish church in Olten (Pfarrkirche St. Martin, also called the Martinskirche) is the Roman Catholic parish church of this Swiss town in the canton of Solothurn. Built between 1908 and 1910, its twin-towered front is a landmark along the Ringstrasse. Who designed it, and what style is it? The architect was August Hardegger (1858–1927), a church specialist from eastern Switzerland. He gave Olten a neo-Romanesque basilica with three aisles, no transept, an entrance porch (narthex) and a chancel ending in three apses. It is a late example of Historicism, the movement that revived the forms of earlier eras. Do not confuse it with the Stadtkirche St. Martin in the old town. That one is a Neoclassical building belonging to the Christian Catholic church and is about a century older. The church described here is the larger, newer Roman Catholic one. What will you see inside and out? The first thing you notice is the monumental double-tower facade. Inside, the decoration came together step by step: several church artists added to the furnishings until about 1931. The result reads as one coherent whole, where architecture, painting and craftsmanship work together. Heritage experts in the canton of Solothurn count it among Switzerland's most important large churches of late Historicism. If you enjoy architecture from the turn of the twentieth century, step inside. The three aisles and rounded apses create a typically Romanesque rhythm, and the richly decorated interior contrasts with the sober masonry outside. What is its restoration history? A full restoration took place from 1986 to 1992. In 2020 the canton of Solothurn approved funding for a further restoration of the interior and parts of the exterior. That work brought the richly furnished interior back into proper light. The building is under cantonal heritage protection. How do you get there, and what else is nearby? Olten sits on the Aare river and is one of Switzerland's busiest railway junctions, so trains from Zurich, Bern and Basel make the trip easy. The church stands on the Ringstrasse, west of the station and outside the historic core. Afterwards, walk to the old town and the Aare, where you will find the covered wooden footbridge and a few cafes. Frequently asked questions When was St. Martin's church in Olten built? Construction ran from 1908 to 1910, and the interior fittings were completed around 1931. Who was the architect? August Hardegger, a Swiss church architect who designed many religious buildings across the country. What architectural style is it? Neo-Romanesque, in the late Historicism tradition: a three-aisle basilica with three apses and a twin-tower front. Is this the same as the Stadtkirche St. Martin? No. The Stadtkirche is an early nineteenth-century Neoclassical church of the Christian Catholic community in the old town. The parish church on Ringstrasse is Roman Catholic and was built a century later.

Friedenskirche

Olten

Friedenskirche in Olten (Church of Peace) is the largest Reformed church in the Olten district, standing at Reiserstrasse 91 in the canton of Solothurn, Switzerland. It belongs to the Evangelical Reformed parish of Olten and ranks among the town's notable twentieth-century religious buildings. What is the Friedenskirche in Olten? The church was built between 1928 and 1929 to replace an earlier church dating from 1860. That older building stood on Sälistrasse, today's Von-Roll-Strasse, and is linked with Niklaus Riggenbach, the cog-railway pioneer. The new church is credited to architect Fritz von Niederhäusern, born in 1876 in Oberhofen on Lake Thun. He worked in Olten from 1902 and also designed the Hotel Schweizerhof and the town's historical museum building, among others. What can you see here? The nave seats about 760 people, which makes it the biggest Reformed church hall in the district. The highlight is the pneumatic organ of 1930, built by the Männedorf firm Th. Kuhn (opus 639). Its sound was altered in 1956, and in 2008 the Solothurn cantonal government placed the instrument under heritage protection, with plans to restore it to its original state. If you enjoy organ music or Swiss church architecture of the interwar years, the building deserves a stop on a walk through town. How do you get there? The church sits at Reiserstrasse 91, in a residential part of Olten. The town is a major railway junction, so Zurich, Bern, Basel and Lucerne are all roughly thirty to sixty minutes away by train. From Olten station you can walk to the church or take local city transport. When should you visit? The building serves a working parish, so the easiest way inside is during services or cultural events such as organ concerts. Check the Reformed parish of Olten for current opening times. Pair the visit with the old town and the other churches of Olten. Frequently asked questions Where exactly is the Friedenskirche in Olten? At Reiserstrasse 91 in Olten, canton of Solothurn, Switzerland. When was it built? Between 1928 and 1929, replacing a church from 1860. Is the organ a protected monument? Yes. The 1930 Kuhn organ was entered in the register of protected monuments of the canton of Solothurn in 2008. Is it the same as the Friedenskirche in Potsdam? No. The Potsdam Friedenskirche stands in Sanssouci Park in Germany and has no connection to the church in Olten.