Wohlen’s straw-making history extends far beyond the town: in the 19th century, the village developed into a centre of the Swiss straw industry that exported its products worldwide. The nickname “Chly-Paris” refers to the connections between Wohlen’s straw plait traders and the Paris fashion centre. Historic buildings, a geological protected site and cycling routes add to this cultural legacy. The Freiämter cycling route is signposted.
Straw-making history and historic buildings
Villa Isler and its park were built and laid out, respectively, by straw manufacturer August Isler in the 1860s. The villa has been protected as a cantonal monument since 1974; it is classified as a monument of regional importance and is protected in its entirety. The museum in the villa reopened in May 2013 and was renamed SCHWEIZER STROHMUSEUM in 2023. This brings architectural and industrial history together in one place.
The permanent exhibition features numerous multimedia stations, comments from eyewitnesses, an interactive globe and a digitised pattern book. A special children’s trail leads through the exhibition. On the first Sunday of each month, a free guided tour of the permanent exhibition is offered; check the date before your trip.
The religious buildings also tell different stories. The Roman Catholic parish church of St. Leonhard is a monument of national importance, protected in its entirety, and is considered a major work of Neoclassical religious architecture in Aargau. The decision to build the present-day church was made in 1803; the old church tower was preserved. St. Anna Chapel on Jurastrasse was built in 1513/14 on the old country road to Baden. It houses a Gothic winged altar from the 16th century, originally from the pilgrimage church of Hergiswald. Please note for your visit: the chapel is closed outside church services and is opened only on request.
The Emanuel Isler House is an imposing bourgeois residence built in 1819, with a late Neoclassical garden pavilion. It is classified as a monument of regional importance and is protected in its entirety.
Geology, trails and cycling routes
Erdmannlistein consists of three granite boulders containing gneiss, transported into the Swiss Plateau by the Reuss Glacier during the WĂĽrm glaciation. The site is designated a geological protected site of cantonal importance. Its arrangement is interpreted as a prehistoric place of worship. The meditation trail in the Chollmoos/Torfmoos area offers a different focus: seven themed stations invite visitors to reflect and linger. Quotes, proverbs, aphorisms and accompanying questions give the trail its reflective character.
For cycling trips, the 2025 leisure map describes two circular routes of different lengths. The signposted Freiämter cycling route is 68 kilometres long and runs from Sins via Muri, Othmarsingen, Bremgarten and Merenschwand back to Sins; it also passes through Wohlen. Another 34-kilometre loop starts in Wohlen and runs via Dottikon, Lenzburg, Seengen, Meisterschwanden and Villmergen before returning. The route lengths and the places listed provide a concrete basis for comparing options when choosing a ride. Check the current route before setting off.
SchĂĽwo Park is open year-round and includes an ice rink, an outdoor swimming pool, minigolf and beach sports; some activities may be seasonal. The outdoor pool is said to have the longest water slide in Freiamt. Check its seasonal availability before visiting.
Wohlen in the BĂĽnztal
Wohlen is a large village in the Bünztal, in the southeast of the canton of Aargau, and is part of the Freiamt region. The Bünz flows through the village; to the east of the Bünztal lies the long ridge of Wagenrain. Alongside the area’s industrial and architectural history, the landscape offers tangible points of interest, while the cycling routes place the village on longer circuits through the region.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Niederwil, Oberlunkhofen, Arni, Widen, Zufikon, Rudolfstetten-Friedlisberg, Villmergen, Dottikon.
Back to the main travel overview: Bremgarten.
