Solothurn
The city of Solothurn is the capital city of Canton Solothurn in Switzerland and is probably best known as being Switzerlands finest baroque city.
The city was founded around 14-37 AD by the Celts. The city became a Roman stronghold known as Salodurum. Its strategic importance lay in its position at the approach to the Rhine from southeast.
In the Middle Ages the settelement grew around the remains of the Roman fortress and the religious house of St. Ursen, founded in the 8th century.
The Dukes of Zähringen acquired the city in 1127. When the Zähringen dynasty died out in 1218 Solothurn became a Free Imperial City. Following the Battle of Sempach which involved Solothurner troops, the city came under the influence of the Habsburgs. However, the Habsburgs renounced all territorial claims over the city by treaty in 1384. The city expanded to roughly the current size of the Canton through acquisition during the 15th Century.
In 1481, Solothurn obtained full membership in the Swiss Confederation. The golden period of Solothurn was during 1530-1792 when it was the seat of the French Ambassador to the Swiss as it remained Catholic during the Reformation.
The influence of the French presence can clearly be seen in Solothurns architecture which is primarily in the Baroque style. The St Ursen Cathedral and the Jesuit Church are both centrally located in Solothurn and demonstrate the difference in French and Italian and mid and later styles of Baroque architecture.
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