• Waldegg Castle
  • Waldegg Castle
  • Waldegg Castle
  • Waldegg Castle
  • Waldegg Castle
  • Waldegg Castle
  • Waldegg Castle
  • Waldegg Castle
  • Waldegg Castle
  • Waldegg Castle
  • Waldegg Castle

Waldegg Castle


Feldbrunnen-St. Niklaus, SO
  • Waldegg Castle
  • Waldegg Castle
  • Waldegg Castle
  • Waldegg Castle
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Waldegg Castle - Museum and cultural centre

Waldegg Castle
The baroque summer house at the gates of Solothurn

Waldegg Castle is situated on a hill at the foot of the Jura, in the middle of the idyllic recreational area of the baroque town of Solothurn. From the extensive grounds, the view sweeps over the Swiss Plateau to the Bernese Alps. Inspired by French and Italian influences, the powerful patrician Johann Viktor von Besenval from Solothurn had the magnificent house erected as his summer residence between 1682 and 1686. With the house, the avenues that extend far into the landscape and the wonderful gardens Besenval created a splendid baroque work of art.

In 1865 Josef von Sury-Büssy acquired the estate and made the summer residence habitable all year round. Today Waldegg Castle is owned by the Canton of Solothurn who has comprehensively restored it. Since 1991, the monument of national importance has been open to the public as a museum and meeting centre.

 

The Museum
Ambassadors and patricians in Solothurn

Museum Waldegg Castle dedicates its permanent exhibition to a core theme of Solothurn's history: From the 16th to the end of the 18th century the envoys of the French kings resided in Solothurn and brought courtly splendour, savoir-vivre and a great deal of money to the small town on the Aare. Taking the Besenval family as an example, the exhibition highlights the social and economic importance of the French ambassadors for the local patrician families and the city of Solothurn.

With its richly decorated salons, the extensive collection of magnificent paintings and the original furniture, the museum as a whole illustrates the French lifestyle of the Solothurn patricians. Further highlights on the tour include the two castle chapels and a historic bathtub in the gardener's house. The Castle Café with a splendid view of the baroque garden serves drinks and small snacks.

 

The gardens
Baroque splendour, citrus fruits and ProSpecieRara varieties

The various gardens are what make Waldegg Castle so special. On the representative south side of the house lies the formal Baroque garden. Stone columns and obelisks bear witness to the builder's claim to power; strictly symmetrical and box-lined garden beds with carefully pruned yew trees illustrate the typically baroque will to dominate nature. An octagonal fountain in the centre of the garden provides welcome cooling in the summer heat. An imposing staircase in the south of the garden leads through a wrought-iron gate to the roughly 500-metre-long avenue planted with largeleaf linden trees.

To the west lies the orangery parterre, where the scent of blossoming lemon, orange and pomegranate trees makes you dream of the south. On the north-western side of the house there is a traditional kitchen garden with flowers and vegetables. Mostly old ProSpecieRara varieties are planted, which were already known in the area about 150 years ago. Bees and other insects find food on the wildflower meadow on the opposite side of the garden.

 

Centre for culture and meetings
A castle for everyone!

Waldegg Castle is the centre for culture and meetings of the canton of Solothurn who conceives itself as a link between the linguistic and cultural communities of Switzerland. The meeting centre at Waldegg Castle turns this idea into practice. It serves as a platform for encounters between the linguistic regions and social groups in Switzerland and abroad.

The rich cultural offer ranges from guided tours, concerts, opera and theatre performances to scientific lectures.

The estate is also open for private use. Whether for weddings and family celebrations, company events or seminars: With its halls, barn, orangery and gardens, Waldegg Castle offers a wide range of possibilities for events in a unique and inspiring setting.

 

Verena Gorge and hermitage, Solothurn's weekly market, bike rides along the River Aare

A visit to Waldegg Castle is ideally combined with a short trip to the Verena Gorge and the hermitage nearby. On a hot summer’s day, a stroll through the shady forest provides a peaceful and quiet break from daily life. On Saturday mornings a visit to the city’s charming market is highly recommended. Moreover, a bike trail leads along the River Aare from Solothurn to Biel, past the stork's nests in Altreu and the former cultural and natural landscape called "Witi" in Grenchen. Solothurn is also a great starting place for a boat tour on Lake Biel.

opening hours

From 1 April to 31 October 2024: 
Monday and Friday closed 
Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday: 2-5pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm

From 1 November to 1 December 2024:
Sunday: 10am-5pm 

Last admission at 4.45 pm each day.
The opening hours also apply to the gardens.
Guided tours outside opening hours possible on request.

The museum will be closed from 1 December 2024 to 1 April 2025 during the winter break.
Reopening: 2 April 2025

Prices

Individual visitors

  • Adults: CHF 6
  • Apprentices and students: CHF 4
  • Senior citizens / military: CHF 4
  • Family (1 or 2 adults with children up to age 16): CHF 10

Groups

  • as from 10 people: CHF - per person

Free Entrance

  • Children up to age 7 
  • Schools accompanied by their teachers
  • Swiss Museums Pass and Raiffeisen Member Card
  • KulturLegi
  • Admission to the café and the garden
visitor information

There is a barbecue area not far from the castle.

Dogs are not allowed on the castle grounds.

The museum and Baroque gardens are wheelchair accessible.

Gastronomy

In the castle
Castle café with snacks

Nearby

Variety of restaurant offers in the city of Solothurn

Arrival

Take the train to Solothurn, central station, and then either:

  • Take the train to Solothurn, central station, and then either:
  • Bus no. 4 to Rüttennen, get off at: St. Niklaus SO; approximately 10 minutes' walk to the castle (via St. Niklaus church)
  • Take the Solothurn-Niederbippbahn (Bipperlisi) to Langenthal, get off at: Feldbrunnen; 15 minutes' walk to the castle
  • Bus no. 12 to Balm b. Günsberg, get off at: Feldbrunnen Bahnhof, 15 minutes' walk to the castle

By car to Solothurn, then follow signs to Feldbrunnen-St. Niklaus via St. Niklausstrasse. Waldegg Castle has its own public car park.

Google maps directions

Tips
  • Take the new cable car up to Weissenstein
  • Cycle path along the River Aare, ideal for family outings
  • Walk through the historical town centre of Solothurn
  • Solothurner Megalithweg [Solothurn megalithic trail]: circuit trail to 13 erratic blocks (starting point: Schloss Waldegg).
  • By boat from Solothurn to Biel

Hotels

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