Zofingen: Old Town History, Nature and Culture

Explore Zofingen through several themes: the planned Frohburg Old Town, Roman mosaic floors, collections and art, and nature around the wildlife park and Heitern. You can shape your stay around history, culture or time outdoors.

Old Town and historic traces

Zofingen’s Old Town is a typical Frohburg layout, built according to a unified plan. Its ground plan forms an irregular rectangle about 470 metres long and up to 225 metres wide. The statue of the Schultheiss stands beside the fountain and square named after Niklaus Thut. Parts of the town wall are also still visible: in Letzigasse, sections of the wall can be seen at the rear of a half-timbered house that was formerly used as a barn. The former town ditches now form an undeveloped green belt around Zofingen.

Several buildings reflect different periods. The town hall was built between 1792 and 1795, during the transition from late Rococo to Neoclassicism. The collegiate tower was built in 1595 and belonged to the collegiate chapter; its carillon can play several hundred folk songs and arrangements of classical music using an automatic playback system. The Powder Tower, built between 1361 and 1363, is a remnant of the former town fortifications. The market hall, built in 1726, is a Baroque building, while St. Urbanhof has Baroque windows and medieval structural fabric.

The town and former collegiate church of St. Maurice is considered a landmark. Its three-aisled layout dates from the 11th century; the oldest foundation walls are dated to around 600 AD. The tower is over 60 metres high. The Roman mosaics offer another glimpse into the past: the restored floors come from a Roman estate dating to the first half of the 1st century AD and are open to visitors free of charge. The estate’s manor house was over 100 metres long, making it the largest of around 200 Roman estates in the canton of Aargau. Check local visiting arrangements before your visit.

Nature, trails and views

The wildlife park, Heiternplatz, the nearby forest and the surrounding fields are connected by easily walkable paths. Red deer, fallow deer, axis deer and sika deer, as well as wild boar, turkeys and chickens, live in the wildlife park’s natural setting. The grounds include old trees and a small stream; the animal populations may change.

A square of lime trees was laid out at Heiternplatz in 1745 as a parade ground. From here, you can enjoy views of Zofingen’s Old Town and the Alps. The fruit-variety garden offers another perspective on the landscape: around 800 standard fruit trees grow across approximately nine hectares. So far, 441 different fruit varieties have been identified there. The figures may change as the garden develops and further cataloguing takes place.

Museums, art and independent discoveries

Museum Zofingen is the oldest museum in the canton of Aargau and has both a historical and a natural history department. The historical collection includes archaeology, the Ringier Museum, Zofingia Museum and Monetarium, as well as films and grave finds from the town church. Family afternoons are held about once a month, offering a playful way to explore the collections. As the programme may change, it is advisable to check the specific dates in advance.

Kunsthaus Zofingen presents four contemporary art exhibitions each year. The media on display include painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, installations, new media and performances; the exhibition programme may change. The exhibition rooms are accessible, wheelchair-friendly and reachable by lift, and the toilets are equipped for visitors with disabilities. A portable ramp is set up when needed. If you require specific arrangements, check with the venue before your visit.

If you prefer discovering art in public spaces, you can take the “Art in Zofingen” walking tour through the Old Town. It passes around 80 freely accessible works and can be reached by train and bus. The “stärchends Zofige” Solution Trail consists of hikes and walks that offer new perspectives. There is also an outdoor escape game with team challenges for solving puzzles in the Old Town; a smartphone scavenger hunt covers two kilometres, features numerous puzzles and follows a story to be solved. Check the latest arrangements for these activities.

Markets and recurring events

Two markets with different schedules are part of everyday life in Zofingen. The weekly market takes place on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 7 to 11 am. Regional producers bring fresh vegetables, fish and cheese, among other products, to town. The goods market is held on the second Thursday of each month. As market times may change, it is worth checking the dates before your trip.

Culture and festivals also shape the events calendar. “New Orleans Meets Zofingen” has been held annually since 1997 in the Old Town, on the Monday before the traditional Zofingen Children’s Festival and the summer holidays. Jazz and blues from the southern United States can be heard on two stages, alongside food and drink. The Children’s Festival tradition dates back to the 16th century, and its present-day format has been in place since 1810. The festival includes a parade through town followed by activities at Heitern.

The Heitere Open Air has been held every year at Heiternplatz since 1991 and has been a three-day festival since 1998. Concerts and other events take place on Zofingen’s local mountain during festival week, even before the main open-air festival begins. The Old Town art market has also been held annually in mid-August since 1997, offering paintings, sculptures and prints for sale. Check the dates for the edition you wish to attend before your trip.

When looking for a hotel in Zofingen, you can first decide which side of the city you want to shape your stay: the Old Town and its architectural history, collections and art, or walking trails and nature. The dates of exhibitions, markets and events can help you plan your visit.

Discover more destinations: Roggwil, Zofingen, Rothrist, Staffelbach, Safenwil, Kölliken, Bottenwil, Brugg.

For the overview of the wider region: Aargau.