The Solothurner Clock Tower

22 April 2022

The clock tower (Zeitglockenturm) is the oldest building in Solothurn. The tower was built as part of the castle at the beginning of the 13th century. It was first mentioned in 1408 under the name Zitglogge.

Under the roof in the middle of the tower, three symbols (knight, king and skeleton) show the meaning and transience of life at every hour.

The large astronomical clock from 1545 by Lorenz Liechti and Joachim Habrecht shows on its 24-hour dial the twelve hours of the day above and the twelve hours of the night below, the months and the year, and has a sundial, a moondial and the signs of the zodiac.

(Source and further information: Tourism Solothurn).