To spot the Krummturm, just gaze across the river-right in front of you stands a tall, old stone tower with a steep, slightly crooked red-tiled roof peeking through the leafy trees on the water’s edge.
Now, as you stand here gazing up at the Krummturm, let me paint a picture: close your eyes and imagine it’s the late 1450s. The air is thick with tension, and the people of Solothurn are whispering nervously about the fierce Armagnac mercenaries who’ve attacked Swiss lands nearby. The city leaders, determined to defend their homes, decide that what Solothurn really needs is a brand-new defensive tower-sturdy, tall, and just a little bit mysterious. So, in about 1454, work begins on the Krummturm.
But, boy, did this tower take its sweet time to finish! Imagine the sights and sounds of the medieval construction site: heavy stones being hauled around, tired masons muttering in frustration, and plenty of impatient glances as the years dragged on. To make matters worse, Solothurn had just spent most of its money buying up land and rights in all the surrounding villages, so by the time it came to pay the workers-well, let’s just say the city purse was as empty as a forgotten well. In fact, people got so frustrated that they nicknamed the tower the “Kumuff”-which means something like “Barely rising up.” As if to say, “Will this thing ever get finished?” But finished it was, finally, in the early 1460s.
Now, the name “Krummturm”-or “Crooked Tower”-sounds like you’re about to see something that’s bending sideways. But here’s the quirky bit: don’t trust your eyes! The tower itself stands tall and straight, but its pointed roof is what does the trick-seeming to tilt at odd angles. This isn’t a builder’s blunder. The tower’s base is an uneven five-sided shape, and the way the spire sits on top with four uneven triangles as its roof panels makes it look crooked from most spots. So if you feel a bit dizzy looking up, don’t worry-it’s the architecture playing tricks on you!
The Krummturm is not just a relic; it’s the oldest structure in Solothurn that’s never been changed. Inside, there’s even a 10-meter-deep dungeon-probably cold and creepy-once used to hold prisoners. And after centuries standing guard, in 1947 it got a new job as the local artillery association’s clubhouse and museum, finally opening its doors for curious visitors in time for the group’s 75th birthday.
So here you are, outside a tower that’s watched over Solothurn for over 560 years. It’s a place built out of fear, finished with stubborn pride, and now invites you to admire a roof that’s always just a little off balance-just like life itself!
