At the Goetheanum in Dornach, architecture can be discovered both as a fine art and as a history of ideas. The Dorneck district belongs to the canton of Solothurn, is part of the Basel agglomeration and the Dorneck-Thierstein administrative district known as Schwarzbubenland; its main town is Dornach.
Architecture around Dornach
The Goetheanum is a world-renowned architectural and spiritual centre of the Anthroposophical Society founded by Rudolf Steiner. A permanent exhibition is devoted to its artistic and historical heritage. Among other things, visitors can see a scale model of the First Goetheanum, faithful to its materials, at a scale of 1:20; information panels guide visitors through its architectural history.
Architecture is also a theme beyond the exhibition: in Dornach, visitors can experience its development, from early explorations through characteristic forms of the 1970s and 1980s to current trends. Four Dornach–Arlesheim architecture trails offer routes for independently exploring significant residential and functional buildings in the area around the Goetheanum and beyond.
General, themed and children’s tours can be booked at the Goetheanum. It can be reached by car and bus; it is a 15-minute walk from Dornach-Arlesheim railway station. Check the current timetable for your journey and the booking information for tours.
Hiking trails, castles and the Ermitage
In the Dorneck area, well-maintained, signposted trails lead to Dorneck Castle ruins. From there, views stretch across the region. The route from the centre of Dornach is signposted and can be driven by car. Other hiking routes link several castles and pass through forests, along rocky paths and through grottoes to the Ermitage.
At the Ermitage, the ruins of Birseck Castle form part of the history of the landscape garden: after 1812, they were incorporated into the grounds and designed as one of its attractions. Preserved features include a round tower, a castle courtyard and a small chapel with Neo-Gothic wall paintings. The Ermitage is open to the public and can be reached on foot from the historic centre of Arlesheim; it has been protected as a historic monument and nature reserve since 1999.
There is a restaurant in the castle courtyard for hikers. A route near Schartenflue passes cherry orchards. Other viewpoints with panoramic views include Gempenturm and the Schartenflue viewpoint.
Musical automata and village history
The Museum of Musical Automata in Seewen preserves one of the world’s largest and best-known collections of its kind. It includes Swiss music boxes, disc-playing music boxes, clocks and jewellery with musical mechanisms, as well as other mechanical musical automata; the collection spans the 18th century to the present day. Public guided tours and demonstrations of fairground and dance organs add to the experience. There is also an annual programme and cultural events.
Bus 67 runs from Liestal SBB or Dornach SBB to the Seewen/Musikautomaten stop directly in front of the museum or to Seewen/Zelgli. Free car and bus parking is available. As timetables and parking rules may change, it is worth checking the latest information before setting off.
The Schwarzbubenland Local History Museum is housed in the old village church of St. Mauritius in Dornach, first mentioned in writing in 1301. The museum was founded in 1940 as a foundation based in Dornach. It is open on Sundays from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., from after Easter until the end of October. Groups can also arrange guided tours on weekdays.
Mariastein and seasonal discoveries
In the wider Dorneck district, Mariastein is considered Switzerland’s second most important pilgrimage site after Einsiedeln; the site includes a Baroque church and an adjoining monastery. A staircase carved into the rock, with 59 steps, leads to the Chapel of Grace. The chapel is first documented in 1434. The statue of the Virgin Mary officially bears the title Mother of Consolation and is also known to pilgrims as the Smiling Madonna.
The Chapel of Grace is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. from Easter to All Saints’ Day, and daily from 7:00 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. from All Saints’ Day to Easter. Check the seasonal opening hours before your visit.
The landscape of the Dorneck area in the Jura Mountains is shaped by the Basel-Landschaft Jura, quiet forests, cultivated meadows, gentle hills and varied terrain. An easy and varied hike from the Birseck plain into the Solothurn Jura is considered a classic year-round tour; trail conditions and classifications may change. In June and July, cherries from the local area can be bought along the Chirsiweg in Nuglar-St. Pantaleon. Harvest times may vary from year to year.
Discover more destinations: Dornach, Witterswil, Metzerlen-Mariastein, Seewen, Rodersdorf, Wasseramt, Bucheggberg, Thierstein.
Back to the main travel overview: Solothurn.
