Olten

From MyVacationsTo

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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Culture

Every year, on August 1, a large firework show occurs from boats floating down the river. It is also home to one of two wooden foot bridges in Switzerland. 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.

It has been proven in 2004 that the plans for the original Statue of Liberty have been created by an Olten citizen called Maximilian Friedli.