Schönenwerd lies on the Aare between Olten and Aarau. The Bally shoe factories shaped the townscape and community life from the mid-19th century until the 1990s. The farming village developed into an industrial village with extensive workers’ settlements. This history can be explored at several locations, each with a different focus: Bally Park, the Ballyana exhibition and the community’s museums.

Bally Park and Industrial History

Bally Park was first laid out in 1868 as a place of recreation for Bally’s workforce and the public. It was expanded between 1888 and 1890: a branch of the river was transformed into a system of ponds, while careful planting and various park structures shaped the grounds. The park is open to the public around the clock. Its history is reflected not only in its connection to Bally’s workforce, but also in the changes to the landscape.

The Ballyana exhibition presents Schönenwerd’s industrial history in the shed hall of the former Bally ribbon factory. Its subjects include archives, machinery and a shoe collection. Alongside the park, it offers a distinct perspective on the town’s working and production history.

Machines, Shoes and Matches

At the Paul Gugelmann Museum, you can see around 40 poetic machines and watch them in operation. A guided tour lasts a little over an hour; no reservation is required. These mechanical works offer a different focus from the historical collections: Gugelmann’s machines and their demonstrations take centre stage.

The Swiss Match Museum offers an overview of 150 years of Swiss match history across three exhibition levels and around 40 display cases. Exhibits include lighters from before the invention of matches, accessories, collector’s items, curiosities and pyrotechnics. A match-making machine dating from 1930 is also on display in the basement. The exhibits span everything from early lighters to machinery and accessories related to matches.

Church Architecture and the Schlössli

The Collegiate Church of St. Leodegar was built in the mid-11th century as an early Romanesque basilica; today, its interior features Rococo furnishings. Romanesque forms are still discernible beneath this decoration. Six pairs of arcades connect the three naves. The juxtaposition of Romanesque architectural elements and Rococo furnishings is a defining feature of the church interior.

The Schlössli is a garden pavilion in the English Gothic style. It was built in 1864/65 and declared a monument of national importance in 1994. For safety reasons, it is not open to the public. This is important when planning a visit: the Schlössli can be appreciated as a building, but cannot be entered by the public.

Seasonal Swimming and Getting There

Schönenwerd’s open-air swimming pool on the Aare is a seasonal facility. It includes an Aare swimming area, a water slide, a diving tower, a non-swimmers’ pool, a children’s paddling pool and a 50-metre swimming pool. Bus route 3 Aarau–Gretzenbach takes you to a stop three minutes’ walk from the pool. It is a ten-minute walk from Schönenwerd railway station. Check transport conditions before setting out.

Choosing Where to Stay

Schönenwerd is part of the Olten district and lies 386 metres above sea level. Its central location and good public transport connections are useful points of reference; Olten and Aarau are just a few minutes away. For those choosing a hotel, the town offers a setting where industrial history, architecture, museum collections and seasonal swimming appeal to a range of interests.

Discover more destinations: Kappel, Olten, Gretzenbach, Hägendorf.

Go to the main travel overview: Olten.