Aarau, the Capital of the Canton of Aargau in the Swiss Mittelland, Is Located on the River Aare to Which the Town and Canton Owe Their Name
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Aarau Aarau, the capital of the Canton of Aargau in the Swiss Mittelland, is located on the River Aare to which the town and canton owe their name. The charming old town boasts the most beautiful eaves, the so-called "Dachhimmel", in Switzerland. aarau info Schlossplatz 1 5000 Aarau T +41 (0)62 834 10 34 F +41 (0)62 834 10 35 [email protected] http://www.aarauinfo.ch 200 m 1000 ft Aarau is located by the southern foot of the Jura foothills in the centre of the big city triangle of Zurich, Basel and Lucerne. The central location was recognised early on which is why Aarau for a brief few months in 1798 was Switzerland's first capital and home to Switzerland's first Houses of Parliament. The many painted eaves, the so-called "Dachhimmel" which predominantly date from the 16th century when the town underwent considerable extension, are a special feature of the old town of Aarau. It's for this reason that Aarau is regarded as the town of beautiful gables. And Aarau continues to display an appreciation of art: the Aargau Art Museum featuring an extension designed by the famous architects Herzog & de Meuron offers architecture and art exhibitions setting © MySwitzerland.com - Schweiz Tourismus - Page 1/14 high standards. The «Naturama», Aargau nature museum, is not your run-of-the-mill museum: General Info animals, plants, exciting video films highlight the interaction and areas of conflict between nature and Canton: Argovia man in Aargau. Postcode/ZIP: 5000 - 5116 Altitude: 385 m The Roggenhausen Wildlife Park has wild animals in their natural habitat as well as a Nature Trail. Population: 20,000 Cycling and walking trails alongside the River Aare and the Jura slopes provide the perfect Language: German opportunity for some pleasant physical exercise. But to see the people of Aargau really enjoying themselves you need to come to one of the local and historic traditional events, such as the Important holidays 2012 in Aarau «Maienzug» in July, the «Bachfischet» or «Rüeblimärt». 02. Jan 2012 Mo Saint Berchtold 06. Apr 2012 Fr Good Friday The Canton of Aargau boasts a great many castles, including some of Switzerland's most 08. Apr 2012 Su Easter impressive such as the Lenzburg, the Hallwyl Water Castle and the Habsburg Castle - main 17. May 2012 Th Ascension Day residence of the famous dynasty from the the 10th century onwards. And Brugg, Baden and Zurich 27. May 2012 Su Whitsun are a very short journey away. The Vindonissa Museum offers an opportunity to discover traces of 28. May 2012 Mo Whit Monday the Romans and Windish is home to the biggest and best-preserved amphitheatre in Switzerland. 06. Jul 2012 Fr Maienzug And there are also a lot of historic towns, such as Bremgarten, Zofingen and others, to visit in the 01. Aug 2012 We Swiss National Holiday Canton of Aargau. 25. Dec 2012 Tu Christmas 26. Dec 2012 We St. Stephen´s Day Highlights Opening hours ● Painted eaves («Dachhimmel») - the most beautiful eaves in Switzerland. Shops/shopping ● Aargau Art Museum - extension designed by internationally renowned architects Herzog & de Monday - Friday: 8 am / 9 am - 6.30 pm / 7 Meuron. pm ● «Naturama» nature museum - entertaining and informative insights into themes relating to Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm nature in the Aargau. Late night shopping: Thursday until 8 pm ● Aquarena Bad Schinznach - thermal bathing in three pools covering an area of 600 square Banks and currency exchange metres at a temperature of 35°C - the benefits of the spa were first enjoyed by bathers in 1658. Monday - Friday: 9 am - 12 noon / 1.30 pm - ● Bally Shoe Museum in Schönenwerd - unique exhibition about the history of footwear. 5 pm ● Hallwyl Castle - most beautiful water castle of the Canton of Aargau, built on two islands. Saturday: closed ● Lenzburg Castle - it is well worth making your way up to the Lenzburg because it houses the Public authorities and offices History Museum of the Canton of Aargau as well as affording a fabulous all-round view. Monday - Friday: 9 am - 11.30 am / 2 pm - 5 ● Thai temple in Gretzenbach - only temple of its kind in Switzerland. pm Saturday: closed Top Events Important phone numbers Emergency calls: ● Theatertage Aarau - amateur theatre festival representing all ages, from young people to senior 117 Police citizens (June). 118 Fire ● Maienzug - 400-year-old tradition bearing testimony to the custom of pupils and teachers going 144 Ambulance into the forest to cut rods. This activity was called «Meyen» (first Friday in July). 1414 Swiss heli rescue ● Aarau open-air cinema - one of the most beautiful horse race courses turnes into a cinema (August). General information: 1811 General information such as eg ● Bachfischet - public festival celebrating the return of the water after the bed has been cleaned doctors, theater, etc. (September). 140 Breakdown Service ● Rüeblimärt - popular event focussing on the carrot in all its shapes and guises in the so-called 162 Weather Information «carrot» canton (November). 163 Road conditions 187 Avalanche Bulletin © MySwitzerland.com - Schweiz Tourismus - Page 2/14 A perfect day in Aarau Aarau inevitably turns visitors’ heads, chiefly to view the fine painted decoration beneath the overhanging roofs of houses in the Old Town, for which Aarau has become known as the City of Beautiful Gables. Located in the heart of Switzerland, this lively community is renowned for its many events – and for its art gallery, home to one of the most important collections of Swiss painting. Break at Brändli’s 08:30 Even the Queen could not resist: she was full of praise for the legendary “Brändli-Bomben”, mouth-watering chocolates coated with marzipan and pieces of almond. Many more sweet temptations await in the delightfully old-fashioned ambience of the café above the confectionery shop. Aargau’s art 11:00 The Aargauer Kunsthaus has long been one of the most gallery important museums for new Swiss art. Since its extension by the leading architects Herzog & de Meuron, it has also been one of the most impressive architecturally. In the spectacular entrance area, the café offers market-fresh lunches at moderate prices. Bon appétit! 12:00 Traditional Swiss cuisine dominates the menu of the Restaurant Laterne. This attractive venue has a wonderfully welcoming atmosphere that guarantees a relaxed and enjoyable evening. At the weekend, this charming rendezvous in the heart of Aarau’s Old Town serves all kinds of variations on the theme of Rösti. Head underground 13:30 For more than 200 years, an extraordinary network of tunnels, chambers and shafts has extended under the city, constructed by the industrialist Johann Rudolf Meyer to harness hydro power. You can explore them and the new railway station on a guided tour. Adventures afoot 15:00 What Rolex is to watches and Sprüngli to chocolate, Bally is to shoes. This exclusive brand has been producing the finest footwear for 150 years – and at the Bally Museum in Schönenwerd, presents one of the world’s largest collections on the subject. No less elegant is the enchanting Bally Park, a wonderfully relaxing spot for a stroll. © MySwitzerland.com - Schweiz Tourismus - Page 3/14 A toast to 18:00 Located in the AZ Media building, the Einstein has been Aarau’s Einstein top rendezvous since it opened. Locals come for business lunches, casual meals at the long “kitchen table”, and evening drinks – complete with view into the studios of the local radio station (guided tours available). The region on a 19:30 The head chef at the Hirschen, Albi von Felten, is a passionate plate believer in ethical cuisine, totally devoted to his “terroir”: he only uses ingredients sourced in the local region. It’s well worth making the short trip to Erlinsbach, just outside Aarau, to enjoy his outstanding gourmet creations. On the Aarau 22:00 Enjoying the good things in life, Aarau-style, comes naturally at riviera the relaxed Restaurant Mürset. When the sun shines, the charming Weinstube opens up to become a summer lounge, while the Brasserie serves a variety of delicious French bistro- style dishes. Sleep like the 24:00 Private accommodation is not only a good-value alternative to locals hotels: it also offers an excellent insight into local life. Options available range from staying in a luxury home with private swimming pool to camping in a back garden. © MySwitzerland.com - Schweiz Tourismus - Page 4/14 © MySwitzerland.com - Schweiz Tourismus - Page 5/14 Architecture Funeral chapel of The listed funeral chapel (created in 1968 by Barth & Zaugg the Aarau Rose Architects) is an important witness to the architecture of the Garden Cemetery Jurasüdfuss (southern foothills of the Jura chain). Rehabilitated in 2008 by the Aarau office of Husistein & Partner AG, this work illustrates in an exemplary manner how listed buildings have been dealt with in the recent past. Spatially proportional additions in the interior allow for contemporary and interdenominational rites. aarau info · Schlossplatz 1 · 5000 Aarau · T +41 (0)62 834 10 34 · F +41 (0)62 834 10 35 · [email protected] · www.aarauinfo.ch Residential and The residential and commercial building "Behmen II Süd" is commercial characterized by a unique design solution. A slender (about 12m building Behmen II deep and 90m long) six-storey building, it is flanked on both sides by two-storey wings. The tall central building is placed between Süd the two tunnels in the bedrock; the lower buildings straddle the two tunnel tubes. aarau info · Schlossplatz 1 · 5000 Aarau · T +41 (0)62 834 10 34 · F +41 (0)62 834 10 35 · [email protected] · www.aarauinfo.ch Reithalle Aarau An equestrian facility that is probably unique in Switzerland, it was built under the direction of the Aarau architect Andreas Marti.