Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11
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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.
An 11-hour clock
- 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.
Mystical origins
- 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.
Mystical origins
- The grateful Solothurn residents started incorporating the number 11, which is "elf" in German, as a tribute to the mystical beings.
Late Middle Ages
- 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.
Cathedral of St. Ursus
- 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.
It was no coincidence
- 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."
Birthdays
- For example, instead of big celebrations every 10 or 25 years, there are special celebrations held on 11th birthdays and multiples thereafter.
Specialty products
- 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).
A deeper significance
- 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."
Travel plans?
- 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.
Make it a stop on a tour of quirky small towns
- This town is certainly not the only one with a weird obsession. Check out these bizarre small towns you didn't know existed.
