Aarau is located in the north of Switzerland and is the capital of the Canton of Aargau.
It is located along the course of the river Aare (from which it takes its name) and is located in the center of the Swiss triangle formed by Zurich, Basel and Lucerne.
In 1798, thanks to its central location, it was chosen as the first capital of the Helvetic Republic but only for a few months with the creation of the first Swiss Parliament.
The historic center takes place within the ancient medieval walls that protected the city.
Symbols of the city are the Obertorturm tower with the historic clock and the buildings with gabled roofs.
The painted gables of the palaces of Aarau date back to the sixteenth century and are among the most beautiful in all of Switzerland. In the past, flexible cable controls were installed to bring goods to the upper floors. The pediments are still decorated with ornaments, professional emblems or family coats of arms.
Among the city’s many museums, the most important is the Aargauer Kunsthaus with the most comprehensive collection of Swiss art.
