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Everyone has a number that means a little more to them than the others. For the entire town of Solothurn, that number is 11.

The picturesque town located in northwest Switzerland has cultivated a startling obsession with the number just shy of a satisfying dozen. It seems like everything was designed around this magical number, almost eerily so, and yet its origins remain shrouded in mystery. Check out this gallery to see how it has manifested in both the city and its history.

▲Okay, so this could be a coincidence, but the following numbers don't lie.

▲Because 12 would just be excessive.

▲Though the ENTER museum of computer and consumer electronics is relatively new.

▲Ten! Just kidding: there are, of course, 11 towers.

▲There's a strange clock in the town that has an 11-hour dial, the number 12 nowhere in sight. At the random times of 11:00, 12:00, 17:00, and 18:00, the clock rings its 11 bells.

▲Some say the fascination with the number was inspired by a folk legend about magical elves coming down from the nearby Weissenstein mountain to help Solothurn, whose people had never prospered despite their hard work.

▲The grateful Solothurn residents started incorporating the number 11, which is "elf" in German, as a tribute to the mystical beings.

▲There are also theories that the number 11 was chosen for its biblical connotations, deeming it holy and prophetic.

▲In numerology, 11 is considered the most intuitive number, and it's often associated with psychics and faith.

▲The town’s obsession with the number 11 has been going on for centuries.

▲The first time the number is noted in the town's history is in 1252, when the guilds that first voted for the Solothurn's council elected 11 members.

▲In 1481, Solothurn became the 11th canton of the Swiss Confederation.

▲In the 16th century, the town was divided into 11 protectorates.

▲The most popular example of Solothurn’s obsession with 11 is the magnificent Cathedral of St. Ursus.

▲Designed by Italian architect Gaetano Matteo Pisoni, it's the magnum opus of the town's obsession.

▲The building features three sets of stairs that each have 11 steps. The fountains flanking the staircase each have 11 taps, and there are 11 doors, 11 bells, and 11 altars.

▲The altars can only be viewed simultaneously from one place in the cathedral: the 11th black stone in the nave.

▲The kneelers and pews are, of course, also arranged in rows of 11.

▲It's probably divisible by 11, like the number of pipes on the cathedral's large organ.

▲The facade is divided into three parts measuring 11 m each, and the tower measures 6 x 11 m.

▲Solothurn native Therese Stählin told the BBC that Pisoni "was ordered by the government at the time to include the number 11. And he did. Everywhere. Even one of the altars is made from 11 types of marble."

▲The people of Solothurn have also incorporated the number into their daily lives.

▲For example, instead of big celebrations every 10 or 25 years, there are special celebrations held on 11th birthdays and multiples thereafter.

▲There are also local products and businesses that include the number, from "Öufi-Bier" (11 Beer), to "11-i Schokolade" (11 Chocolate), and even "öufiyoga" (11 o’clock yoga).

▲The town's mysterious relationship with the number has become a primary tourist attraction, and they even provide 11-themed tours.

▲Therese Stählin explained to the BBC that even though 11 is shy of the holy number 12 (the number of apostles), "For us, it symbolizes our never-ending pursuit of perfection – it is a cipher for hope."

▲Besides the number, Solothurn also makes for a gorgeous travel spot, featuring an eclectic combination of French, Italian, and Swiss architecture with many layers of history.

▲This town is certainly not the only one with a weird obsession. Check out these bizarre small towns you didn't know existed.