Wasseramt
The Wasseramt is a district in the canton of Solothurn in northwestern Switzerland, where water shapes the landscape and life. As its name suggests, water is everywhere: the district is home to the Burgäschi and Inkwiler lakes, the only two lakes in the canton of Solothurn, and major groundwater flows run parallel to the Emme River, in places lying just 40 centimetres below the surface. The region is a mix of industrial towns such as Zuchwil, Biberist, Derendingen and Gerlafingen and farming villages in the outer Wasseramt, so industry and agriculture have always coexisted here. It is a lowland, rural and small-town area rather than an Alpine one, with an idyllic landscape and easy accessibility. The Urzeitenweg trail runs through the region, tracing development from the Stone Age through the Bronze Age to the Iron Age, and a local history museum in a 13th-century tower in Halten tells the story of the area and its people. The Wasseramt offers swimming pools, streams and rivers for a refreshing dip, a Kneipp path in the shady forest, and a range of dining and accommodation options from business hotels to lakeside camping.
Summer activities
Water defines summer in the Wasseramt. The district's two lakes, Burgäschi and Inkwiler, along with several swimming pools, streams and rivers, invite visitors to take a dip, and a Kneipp path in the shady forest offers a refreshing break. The Urzeitenweg trail runs through the region, tracing development from the Stone Age through the Bronze Age to the Iron Age and connecting well-known sights, while the circular Path of Energy Sites around Burgäschisee, Steinhof and Seeberg offers a scenic hike.
Culture and entertainment
The Wasseramt has a modest but distinctive cultural scene centred on its museums. Three museums invite visitors to discover technology, history and culture: ENTER Technikwelt Solothurn, home to one of Switzerland's largest collections, showcases the evolution of computers, electronics and communication; the Wasseramt Museum tells the story of the region's eventful history and the lives of its people; and Vorder-Bleichenberg Castle offers Baroque interior design in a historic setting. A local history museum in a 13th-century tower in Halten adds to the picture, and the region hosts a variety of event venues for weddings, birthdays and corporate events.
