The charming city on the Aare will captivate you with its well-preserved historic old town and an extensive car-free pedestrian zone featuring numerous cafés, restaurants, and shops. Take a stroll to discover the city’s noteworthy squares, alleyways, houses, and other buildings—you’ll feel Olten’s very special charm.
Until the 19th century, Olten—first mentioned in 1201—remained an insignificant little town with a comparatively narrow economic base. In 1426, Olten became an episcopal fief and passed into the possession of the city of Solothurn. Despite this noticeable interference, Olten always retained a certain degree of economic and political independence. Thanks to its central location, Olten developed into a service hub during the 19th and 20th centuries and was able to prosper. To this day, the city remains an important railway hub in both Swiss and European rail transport.
