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Solothurn

Solothurn
Besenval stursen solothurn.jpg
Coat of arms of Solothurn
Coat of arms
Solothurn is located in Switzerland
Solothurn
Solothurn
Coordinates: 47°13′N 7°32′E / 47.217°N 7.533°E / 47.217; 7.533Coordinates: 47°13′N 7°32′E / 47.217°N 7.533°E / 47.217; 7.533
Country Switzerland
Canton Solothurn
District Solothurn
Government
 • Executive Gemeinderat
with 30 members
 • Mayor Stadtpräsident (list)
Kurt Fluri FDP/PRD
(as of March 2014)
 • Parliament none (Gemeindeversammlung)
Area
 • Total 6.28 km2 (2.42 sq mi)
Elevation (Chapel of St Peter) 432 m (1,417 ft)
Population (Dec 2015)
 • Total 16,721
 • Density 2,700/km2 (6,900/sq mi)
Demonym(s) German: Solothurner(in)
Postal code 4500
SFOS number 2601
Surrounded by Bellach, Biberist, Feldbrunnen-Sankt Niklaus, Langendorf, Rüttenen, Zuchwil
Twin towns Heilbronn (Germany), Kraków (Poland), Le Landeron (Switzerland)
Website www.stadt-solothurn.ch
SFSO statistics
Imperial City of Solothurn
Reichsstadt Solothurn
Free Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire
1218–1648
Capital Solothurn
Government Republic
Historical era Middle Ages
 •  Founded AD 14–37
 •  Gained Reichsfreiheit 1218
 •  Allied with Bern 1295
 •  Swiss associate 1353
 •  Failed annexation by
    counts of Kyburg
 
Night of 10 November 1382
 •  Full member of
    Swiss confederacy
 
22 December 1481
 •  Joined Golden League 5 October 1586 1648
 •  Swiss independence
    recognised
 
24 October 1648
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Zähringen House of Zähringen
Canton of Solothurn Canton of Solothurn

Solothurn (German: Solothurn pronounced [ˈzoːlotʊrn]; French: Soleure [sɔlœʁ]; Italian: Soletta [soˈletːa]; Romansh: Soloturn) is a town, a municipality, and the capital of the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland. It is located in the north-west of Switzerland on the banks of the Aare and on the foot of the Weissenstein Jura mountains.

The town is the only municipality of the district of the same name.

The town got its name from Salodurum, a Roman-era settlement. From 1530 to 1792 it was the seat of the French ambassador to Switzerland.

The pedestrian-free old town was built between 1530 and 1792 and shows an impressive array of Baroque architecture, combining Italian Grandezza, French style, and Swiss ideas. The town has 18 structures listed as heritage sites. Agricultural, once the dominant sector of employment, has become almost non-existent. Most people today are employed in manufacturing and education.


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