When was Aarau founded and by whom?
Aarau was founded around AD 1240 by the counts of Kyburg. It is first mentioned in written records in 1248, under the name Arowe, with the first reference to a city-sized settlement appearing in 1256.
Questions about Aarau
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Why was Aarau the first capital of Switzerland?
On the 22nd of March 1798, Aarau was declared the capital of the Helvetic Republic, making it the first capital of a unified Switzerland. The national parliament met in the city hall until the capital moved to Lucerne on the 20th of September 1798.
Which Nobel Prize winners attended the Canton School in Aarau?
Albert Einstein, Paul Karrer, and Werner Arber all attended the Canton School in Aarau, which was founded in 1802 as the first non-parochial high school in Switzerland.
What is Aarau famous for producing?
Aarau is known for the quality of its precision instruments, cutlery, and bells. Kern and Co., founded in 1819, was an internationally renowned geodetic instrument manufacturer based in the city until its closure in 1991.
What is the oldest building in Aarau?
The Schlössli, or small castle, is the oldest building in Aarau. It was founded shortly after 1200, around the time the city itself was established, though its exact date is not known.
What is the Justice Fountain in Aarau?
The Justice Fountain, or Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen, was built in 1634 from French limestone and features a sandstone statue of Lady Justice. It stood in front of city hall for nearly three centuries before being moved to its present location in front of the town church in 1905 due to increased traffic.