![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d6644d62a9.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d6660f37e0.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d665d8aa69.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d6649610ac.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d665e4be2f.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d663b33867.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d665e06e9d.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d66641257c.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d663877e04.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d6655d06e2.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d6631c8199.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d664ab0e9e.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d66658646f.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d6646ee816.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d66343206c.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d66606ecc4.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d663409f04.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d6635e90e6.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d6638458e1.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d6a6ae28f5.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d66329060d.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d6a6d0a82c.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d663a6506d.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d6655cac39.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d6639efe35.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d663bab40c.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d6645c2696.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d665ebe466.jpg)
![Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_5d5d664de3664.jpg)
See Also
See Again
Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11
- 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.
© Shutterstock
0 / 29 Fotos
There are 11 churches and chapels - Okay, so this could be a coincidence, but the following numbers don't lie.
© Shutterstock
1 / 29 Fotos
There are 11 historical fountains - Because 12 would just be excessive.
© Shutterstock
2 / 29 Fotos
You already know there's 11 museums - Though the ENTER museum of computer and consumer electronics is relatively new.
© Shutterstock
3 / 29 Fotos
How many towers? - Ten! Just kidding: there are, of course, 11 towers.
© Shutterstock
4 / 29 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
5 / 29 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
6 / 29 Fotos
Mystical origins - The grateful Solothurn residents started incorporating the number 11, which is "elf" in German, as a tribute to the mystical beings.
© Shutterstock
7 / 29 Fotos
Holy origins? - There are also theories that the number 11 was chosen for its biblical connotations, deeming it holy and prophetic.
© Shutterstock
8 / 29 Fotos
Numerological significance - In numerology, 11 is considered the most intuitive number, and it's often associated with psychics and faith.
© Shutterstock
9 / 29 Fotos
The only thing certain is that it's old - The town’s obsession with the number 11 has been going on for centuries.
© Shutterstock
10 / 29 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
11 / 29 Fotos
Eleventh canton - In 1481, Solothurn became the 11th canton of the Swiss Confederation.
© Shutterstock
12 / 29 Fotos
Divided into 11 parts - In the 16th century, the town was divided into 11 protectorates.
© Shutterstock
13 / 29 Fotos
A beautiful architectural expression - The most popular example of Solothurn’s obsession with 11 is the magnificent Cathedral of St. Ursus.
© Shutterstock
14 / 29 Fotos
It was built in 11 years - Designed by Italian architect Gaetano Matteo Pisoni, it's the magnum opus of the town's obsession.
© Shutterstock
15 / 29 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
16 / 29 Fotos
A mathematical wonder - The altars can only be viewed simultaneously from one place in the cathedral: the 11th black stone in the nave.
© Shutterstock
17 / 29 Fotos
Cathedral of St. Ursus - The kneelers and pews are, of course, also arranged in rows of 11.
© Shutterstock
18 / 29 Fotos
If it's not 11... - It's probably divisible by 11, like the number of pipes on the cathedral's large organ.
© Shutterstock
19 / 29 Fotos
A towering tribute - The facade is divided into three parts measuring 11 m each, and the tower measures 6 x 11 m.
© Shutterstock
20 / 29 Fotos
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."
© Shutterstock
21 / 29 Fotos
It's not just in the architecture - The people of Solothurn have also incorporated the number into their daily lives.
© Shutterstock
22 / 29 Fotos
Birthdays - For example, instead of big celebrations every 10 or 25 years, there are special celebrations held on 11th birthdays and multiples thereafter.
© Shutterstock
23 / 29 Fotos
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).
© Shutterstock
24 / 29 Fotos
A tourist draw - The town's mysterious relationship with the number has become a primary tourist attraction, and they even provide 11-themed tours.
© Shutterstock
25 / 29 Fotos
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."
© Shutterstock
26 / 29 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
27 / 29 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
28 / 29 Fotos
Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11
- 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.
© Shutterstock
0 / 29 Fotos
There are 11 churches and chapels - Okay, so this could be a coincidence, but the following numbers don't lie.
© Shutterstock
1 / 29 Fotos
There are 11 historical fountains - Because 12 would just be excessive.
© Shutterstock
2 / 29 Fotos
You already know there's 11 museums - Though the ENTER museum of computer and consumer electronics is relatively new.
© Shutterstock
3 / 29 Fotos
How many towers? - Ten! Just kidding: there are, of course, 11 towers.
© Shutterstock
4 / 29 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
5 / 29 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
6 / 29 Fotos
Mystical origins - The grateful Solothurn residents started incorporating the number 11, which is "elf" in German, as a tribute to the mystical beings.
© Shutterstock
7 / 29 Fotos
Holy origins? - There are also theories that the number 11 was chosen for its biblical connotations, deeming it holy and prophetic.
© Shutterstock
8 / 29 Fotos
Numerological significance - In numerology, 11 is considered the most intuitive number, and it's often associated with psychics and faith.
© Shutterstock
9 / 29 Fotos
The only thing certain is that it's old - The town’s obsession with the number 11 has been going on for centuries.
© Shutterstock
10 / 29 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
11 / 29 Fotos
Eleventh canton - In 1481, Solothurn became the 11th canton of the Swiss Confederation.
© Shutterstock
12 / 29 Fotos
Divided into 11 parts - In the 16th century, the town was divided into 11 protectorates.
© Shutterstock
13 / 29 Fotos
A beautiful architectural expression - The most popular example of Solothurn’s obsession with 11 is the magnificent Cathedral of St. Ursus.
© Shutterstock
14 / 29 Fotos
It was built in 11 years - Designed by Italian architect Gaetano Matteo Pisoni, it's the magnum opus of the town's obsession.
© Shutterstock
15 / 29 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
16 / 29 Fotos
A mathematical wonder - The altars can only be viewed simultaneously from one place in the cathedral: the 11th black stone in the nave.
© Shutterstock
17 / 29 Fotos
Cathedral of St. Ursus - The kneelers and pews are, of course, also arranged in rows of 11.
© Shutterstock
18 / 29 Fotos
If it's not 11... - It's probably divisible by 11, like the number of pipes on the cathedral's large organ.
© Shutterstock
19 / 29 Fotos
A towering tribute - The facade is divided into three parts measuring 11 m each, and the tower measures 6 x 11 m.
© Shutterstock
20 / 29 Fotos
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."
© Shutterstock
21 / 29 Fotos
It's not just in the architecture - The people of Solothurn have also incorporated the number into their daily lives.
© Shutterstock
22 / 29 Fotos
Birthdays - For example, instead of big celebrations every 10 or 25 years, there are special celebrations held on 11th birthdays and multiples thereafter.
© Shutterstock
23 / 29 Fotos
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).
© Shutterstock
24 / 29 Fotos
A tourist draw - The town's mysterious relationship with the number has become a primary tourist attraction, and they even provide 11-themed tours.
© Shutterstock
25 / 29 Fotos
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."
© Shutterstock
26 / 29 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
27 / 29 Fotos
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.
© Shutterstock
28 / 29 Fotos
Discover the town weirdly obsessed with the number 11
© Shutterstock
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
![Exploring these destinations on foot is a real challenge!](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66dade34971f9.jpg)
![What would the world look like if mosquitos were eradicated?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d5eac49dc86.jpg)
![The 30 places you must visit before you die](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d849d4cc23e.jpg)
![The top 30 most-visited countries in the world](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d844ead6f71.jpg)
![The most (and least) intelligent zodiac signs, ranked](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d8447cb1c5d.jpg)
![You can live in luxury on a budget in these countries](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d82d763b2b6.jpg)
![Can you identify these famous landmarks from an unusual perspective?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66963692260e2.jpg)
![How travel in Europe is about to change](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d42dfd5415d.jpg)
![Exploring timeless Toulon and its battlefront history](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66d1ccf7df2c2.jpg)
![Historic sites that have been destroyed by terrorists](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_5a5f2fa4b0b0b.jpg)
![The dark history of Vietnam's Cu Chi Tunnels](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66cef10411dc2.jpg)
![Hush trips: what are they, and should you take one?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66cb139de2b93.jpg)
![Idyllic islands of the Mediterranean to warm up your dreams](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66cefcd752a45.jpg)
![Why Montenegro is the most underrated jewel of the Mediterranean](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66cded150d1a0.jpg)
![How to be a better tourist in Europe's most popular cities](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66ccd1f49dd9c.jpg)
![Visit the locations that inspired these famous paintings](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c48abe0f97a.jpg)
![The best nightlife spots in the world today](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c47c3552d1d.jpg)
![Some like it hot, but could you survive a desert?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c6071eb4b06.jpg)
![Obscure capital cities you've probably never heard of](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66c46a7e47b76.jpg)
![Bridal shower theme ideas for a spectacular celebration](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66ad04aff122e.jpg)
![The unsettling environmental cost of cruises](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66bf5ea76cd05.jpg)
![The best 30 places in the US to retire](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b0cedaad590.jpg)
![Overcrowded alternatives: avoid the crowds and enjoy all Europe has to offer](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66bf2fa8f129a.jpg)
![Road trip essentials for a fun and comfortable ride](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b622dcbacf6.jpg)
![Wonders of the Yucatán Peninsula](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b4db0c254c8.jpg)
![Visions of Venice: Discover the magical city](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_5be9de2159558.jpg)
![Exploring London's Royal Parks](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_62ea74a854037.jpg)
![Scotland's most Instagrammable lochs](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_62bb051ac77bc.jpg)
![Discover the most popular boating destinations in Europe](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b3697314e69.jpg)
![Why everyone should visit the Isle of Man](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_6214c7a50789c.jpg)
![30 of the most famous Greek landmarks beyond the Acropolis](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66b0aa81d8bb5.jpg)
![The top 30 places in the US to live in this year](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66ab46f86a83c.jpg)
![The abandoned ghost town near Paris that is anything but quiet](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_5aa95c9c0bde7.jpg)
![Discover Scotland's majestic North Coast 500 route](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66a882ee0ece7.jpg)
![Finding Frías: exploring Spain's smallest 'city'](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66aa0f8f29cd9.jpg)
![Nördlingen, a town that nestles in an asteroid crater and is smothered with diamonds](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66a7b1d548866.jpg)
MOST READ
- Last Hour
- Last Day
- Last Week