Coordinates: 47°21′N, 7°54′E

Olten
Canton	Solothurn
District	Olten
Coordinates	47°21′N, 7°54′E
Population	16,665   (December 2003)
Area	km² ( sq mi)
Elevation	m ( ft)
Postal code	4600
SFOS number	2581
Mayor	Ernst Zingg
Surrounded by (view map)	Aarburg (AG), Boningen, Dulliken, Kappel, Rothrist (AG), Starrkirch-Wil, Trimbach, Wangen bei Olten, Winznau
Twin towns	Altenburg (Germany)
Website	www.olten.ch
Olten [zoom]

Olten is a municipality 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

Old town with covered bridge

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 Aare 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 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.

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.

Schools

University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland

External links

• Official town website

Municipalities in the district of Olten, Switzerland
Boningen | Däniken | Dulliken | Eppenberg-Wöschnau | Fulenbach | Gretzenbach | Gunzgen | Hägendorf | Kappel | Olten | Rickenbach | Schönenwerd | Starrkirch-Wil | Walterswil | Wangen bei Olten Canton of Solothurn | Districts of Canton Solothurn | Municipalities of the canton of Solothurn

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Olten

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