Olten

Olten, town (1990 pop. 17,805), Solothurn canton, N Switzerland, on the Aare River. It is an important rail center and has manufactures of machinery, motor vehicles, textiles, and shoes.

Olten is a City in the homonymous municipality of Olten in the district of Olten in the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland.

Olten is within 30 minutes of Zurich, Bern, Basel, and Lucerne by public transport, and is a rail hub of Switzerland.

History

Despite the presence of numerous archaeological evidences of early habitation, Olten is first documented in 1201. It became important in the 13th century because of its bridge over the Aar River. This geographical fact has determined much of its history.

Culture

Every year, on August 1, a large firework show occurs from boats floating down the river. It is also home to a wooden foot bridge, one of the towns landmarks. In Olten's train station restaurant, the Gruppe Olten (Olten Group), a group of writers that included Max Frisch and Friedrich Dürrenmatt, was founded, as was the Swiss Alpine Club in 1863.

Schools

University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland

External links

• Official town website