Between 1667 and 1727, the town of Solothurn intermittently built fortifications that were designed to withstand the modern warfare of the time. They supplemented the medieval fortifications and once completely surrounded the town.
Learn about a time of high political tensions, when Catholic Solothurn felt threatened by the powerful Reformed Bern. In 1667, the construction of a massive fortification, the redoubt, began. It lasted 60 years.
The tour starts in the Old Armoury Museum, where you will see the original cannons that were once cast for the redoubts. You will then climb the Riedholzschanze and see where these cannons were once positioned. You will then visit the remains of the gun emplacements in front of the moat and finally continue to the Blumenstein Museum, where you will see a model of the town of Solothurn showing the still complete redoubts from around 1830. In the museum you will also learn why the redoubts were gradually demolished from 1835 onwards.
Language
German
Time
1.30 pm (28.04.2024)
Duration
1,5 hours
Meeting point
Museum old arsenal
Tour ending point
Museum Blumenstein
Tickets
Can be booked online or purchased at the Tourist Office at Hautgasse 69 in Solothurn. The number of participants is limited.
