Solothurn Cathedral

Solothurn Cathedral, officially the Cathedral of St. Ursus, is the principal Roman Catholic church in the town of Solothurn, Switzerland, and a notable example of 18th-century Baroque architecture. Major construction took place in the mid-18th century, making the building a dominant feature of the town’s skyline.

Visitors encounter a richly detailed Baroque interior, a prominent tower and dome, and the cathedral’s role as the main church for the city. The building is a frequent stop on walking tours of Solothurn’s compact old town and riverside setting.

The present cathedral replaced an earlier medieval church; the 18th-century rebuilding was carried out by known architects of the period and established the cathedral’s current form and decorative program. It continues to function as a parish and ceremonial church.

The cathedral stands in Solothurn’s historic centre on the banks of the Aare river, within easy walking distance of the town’s main squares and civic buildings.

• Construction dates: The cathedral was built in the 18th century (construction mainly 1762-1773) and is the city's principal baroque church building.

What to See #

• Cathedral tower: A freestanding baroque bell tower and dome visible across Solothurn that marks the cathedral's position in the old town skyline.
• Main church interior: The late-Baroque nave and chapels completed in the 1760s and early 1770s, containing pulpit and altar fittings from the construction period.