page_title: Solothurn Cathedral
section_title: Building exterior
hierarchical_section_title: Solothurn Cathedral / Building exterior
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: St. Ursenkatherale mit 11-er Stufen Serie
context_page_description: The St. Ursus Cathedral or Solothurn Cathedral is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Basel in the city of Solothurn, Switzerland. It is a Swiss heritage site of national significance.
context_section_description: The western facade of the cathedral is a monumental white stone neoclassical structure.  The lower portion is divided into three sections by columns topped with pilasters and entablature.  The upper portion is smaller and continues the decoration of columns, pilasters and entablature.  The facade is crowned with a triangular pediment as are all of the doors.  The front is decorated with monumental statues and reliefs from the sculptor Johann Baptist Babel which were carved in 1774–75.  From north to south the figures are St. Stephan, Charles Borromeo, St. Mauritius, St. Verena, St. Victor, St. Ursus, St. Regula, St. Felix, St. Beatus and Niklaus von Flue.  In the center is a coat of arms flanked by figures that represent religion and fortitude.  The relief on the right shows Saints Ursus and Victor refusing to worship idols.  The one on the left shows the beheading of the Theban Legion.  The center relief shows St. Peter accepting the keys.  The monumental staircase leading to the west facade is flanked by statues of Moses and Gideon atop Roman style fountains.
  The single bell tower is located on the north side of the choir and is topped with a copper onion dome.  The crossing is crowned with a large copper dome.
caption: Western facade of the church
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