Luterbach: Hydroelectric Power Plant, Synthorama and Riverside Park

Luterbach lies in the Solothurn Plateau, 3.5 km east of Solothurn (as the crow flies), on a gravel plain east of the Emme; at the same time, it lies at the foot of the southern Jura. The town’s diverse attractions include a historic hydroelectric power plant, a museum of electronic musical instruments and Attisholz Riverside Park, which is connected to the Aare. If you are planning a stay in Luterbach, you can choose between industrial heritage, a museum visit and time by the water.

Engineering history at the power plant

Built in 1888, the Luterbach hydroelectric power plant is one of the oldest surviving facilities of its kind in the canton of Solothurn. It was restored in 1988 and opened to the public as a museum. The old power plant includes a Francis turbine dating from 1906 and is still in operation. Its year of construction, preservation status and turbine give the visit a clear focus on the town’s industrial and engineering history.

The Emmekanal industrial heritage trail

The Emmekanal industrial heritage trail runs via Emmenschachen or through Luterbach’s newer residential areas, returning to its starting point by the power plant. The circular route consists of sections that can be combined; you can choose your starting point freely and shorten or extend the route. This lets you adjust the length of the loop to suit your plans. Most of the trail follows the Solothurn hiking trail network; signs from the Solothurn Heritage Society supplement the waymarking.

The easiest way to explore the trail is by bicycle, using the cycle path along the Aare from Solothurn towards Olten. Bus route 9 stops in Luterbach at the “Kraftwerk” stop. Check the latest bus information before travelling.

Synthorama: electronic instruments

Synthorama in Luterbach is a museum of electronic musical instruments. Covering around 400 square metres, the exhibition features 360 predominantly analogue synthesizers and 60 rhythm instruments from ten countries. With a few exceptions, visitors can try out the instruments themselves. If you plan to take part, check the current visitor information before your visit.

Attisholz Riverside Park and the Aare

Attisholz Riverside Park in the municipality of Luterbach combines paths and places to relax by the water. A wide cycle path and a promenade for walkers offer different ways to explore the park. There are also barbecue areas with wooden benches, a bathing beach and access to the Aare through a nature window. The former settling ponds can be reached on foot via passageways, stairs, bridges and walkways. Small islands of gravel and boulders have been created in the water so that flora and fauna can thrive. Alongside the riverside paths, the former ponds and the landscaped islands are among the park’s defining features.

Location between the Aare, Emme and plain

The municipality covers part of the groundwater-rich gravel plain in the inner Wasseramt. The Aare forms the natural municipal boundary to the north; to the west, the Emme borders Luterbach at Emmenspitz. To the east, the area extends across the plain, with the canalised beds of the Dorfbach and Rüttibach streams, as far as Dornwald and Affolterwald. These two forests form a belt of woodland across the alluvial plain.

Discover more destinations: Aeschi, Biberist, Subingen, Bolken, Steinhof, Kriegstetten, Hersiwil, Zuchwil

For the main travel overview: Wasseramt.