Gärten Schloss Waldegg

Waldegg Castle is situated on a hill at the foot of the Jura, in the middle of the idyllic recreational area of the baroque town of So- lothurn. Inspired by French and Italian influences, the mighty patrician Johann Viktor von Besenval from Solothurn had the magnificent house erected as a summer residence between 1682 and 1686. With the house, the avenues that extend far into the landscape and the wonderful gardens, Besenval created a splendid baroque work of art. Today the estate is owned by the Canton of Solothurn who comprehensively restored it between 1985 and 2005. Since 1991, the monument of national importance has been open to the public as a museum and meeting centre.

The gardens are what make Waldegg Castle so special. The formal baroque garden is located on the south side of the building. Stone columns and obelisks bear witness to the builder's claim to power; strictly symmetrical and box-lined garden beds with carefully pruned yew trees illustrate the typically baroque will to dominate nature. In the flowerbeds, 54 varieties of perennials and 25 varieties of bulbous plants bloom in seasonally different colours. An octagonal fountain in the centre of the garden provides welcome cooling in the summer heat. An imposing staircase to the south of the garden leads to the 600-metre-long avenue planted with largeleaf linden trees.

To the west lies the orangery parterre, where the scent of blossoming lemon, orange and pomegranate trees makes you dream of the south. On the north-western side of the house there is a traditional Potager garden with flowers and vegetables. Mostly planted are old ProSpecieRara varieties, which were already known in the area about 150 years ago.