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Luzern and Basel have bigger and more famous carnivals, but the Solothurn one is still full of life and is mostly attended by locals giving it more of an authentic atmosphere. Starting with a bang on Maundy Thursday, the whole town puts on fancy dress and goes crazy for a week. People in costume can be found watching brass bands play Guggenmusik everyday. Pop-up bars appear all over the old town, with people also bringing their own drinks. The main events of interest are: Chesslete (Thursday at 05:00) The parade starts the events off with residents of the town dressed in white gowns and making as much noise as possible by any means. Grosser Umzug (Sunday and Tuesday at 14:31) A parade of floats and marchers, passes through the old-town throwing confetti and sweets at onlookers. Böögg (Wednesday at 20:00) Essentially a giant wickerman filled with explosives which is burnt to bring the event to a close. A number of other smaller events take place during the time - check the website for more info. Be warned when booking accommodation that most of the old town is filled with loud music until the early hours of the morning on the Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday nights. Fasnacht is very much a love/hate thing; whilst some people will take the time off work and party for a week, others will flee to a quieter place.
Solothurn Cathedral
The cathedral is impossible to miss as it dominates the Solothurn skyline. Entry into the cathedral is free. You can go up the tower which offers views over the town, river valley, Jura mountains, and on a clear day a panorama of the Alps. The tower entrance is on the outside of the building at the rear of the Cathedral. The cost is stated at the entrance door and you pay when you reach the top of the tower which serves as the cashier/gift shop. The tower is closed in winter.
Clock tower
A clock tower overlooking the main square. The building is the oldest in Solothurn and there is an astronomical clock similar to the Zytglogge in Bern. It features a verse in German and Latin, probably by Glarean (1488-1563), that states that there is "no older city in Gaul than Solothurn, except Trier", and calls these cities sisters.
A section of the towns fortifications that were not torn down and now serve as a park where visitors can walk along or below the walls. The walk along the wall offers an easy (and free) view of the Alps on a clear day. A number of events take place in the park. A unique sight is the Soldatendenkmal (soldier's monument) which commemorates the Swiss soldiers that died in service watching the borders during the world wars.
11 Clock
A modern novelty clock by an artist from the region which only has 11 hours, referring to Solothurn's special fondness for this number. At 11:00, 12:00, 17:00 and 18:00 the clock plays the Solothurn Song.
Solothurn Natural History Museum
Mostly focused on the local fauna, flora, and geology in very well put together exhibits. There is also a temporary exhibition in the basement which changes every 6 months or so. Information is mostly only in German.
Solothurn Art Museum
Contains a number of surprisingly big names for such a small town, for example the "Solothurner Madonna" by Hans Holbein the Younger, other old master paintings, as well as impressive paintings by Hodler, other modern artists (including van Gogh and Klimt) and a collection of Swiss contemporary art. A peculiar point of interest is the Wellington boot sculpture, by Roman Signer, over the pool outside which is periodically propelled around a swing by a water jet shooting out of the heel.