Chur old town

With a settlement history of over 5,000 years, Chur is the oldest city in Switzerland and its picturesque old town is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the country. Visitors from all over the world discover its attractions during a leisurely stroll or on a guided tour through the winding alleys. Particularly worth seeing are the episcopal castle, the cathedral of St. Mary's Assumption and the well-preserved buildings in the old town.

Worth seeing, traffic-free, lively Chur has one of the most intact old towns in Switzerland. It has been continuously restored over the past few decades and is now almost completely free of traffic. Red signs guide visitors through the city, pointing out the most beautiful sights, squares and alleys. The old town is also often the backdrop for colourful markets, e.g. the weekly market (farmers' market) every Saturday morning from May to October, the flea market on the first Saturday of the month at the Arcas, and the traditional Christmas market at the end of the year. Numerous boutiques, restaurants, cafés, bars, museums and galleries give the traffic-free old town an almost Mediterranean flair.

Cathedral & Bishop's Court The Bishop's Court, with its 800-year-old cathedral and late Gothic high altar resplendent in gold, towers over the old town. The cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary and is one of Switzerland's most important cultural monuments. The courtyard was settled in pre-Roman times and used by the Romans as a base. 451 Bishop's seat with a simple basilica. In the 8th century, a second cathedral, of which marble sculptures remain today (interlaced band ornaments under St. Lawrence's altar and the covering of the St. Fidelis altar). The present cathedral was built between 1150 and 1272 and, given the position of our city on the pass roads, shows influences from all the major Western cultural circles. Romanesque stonemasonry on the capitals and apostle columns. Gothic tabernacle (1484), high altar by Jakob Russ (1486–1492).

Church of St. Martin This church, which dominates the townscape, was built after a town fire on the remains of a Carolingian three-apse hall church. It was completed in 1491 and has been a Protestant town church since 1526. Three large and impressive glass windows by Augusto Giacometti (1919) adorn the south wall. The bell tower was built in 1509 and received its pointed spire in 1917/18 after various conversions. The Martinsbrunnen in front of the church was built in 1716, the fountain shaft and figure copies were made in 1910 based on an original from 1716. A complete renovation was carried out in 1990.

St. Luzius Church The round crypt with the confessio is all that remains of the Carolingian three-apse hall church from the first half of the 8th century. In 1140 the Premonstratensian monastery was founded, with Romanesque expansion (choir and hall crypt). After 1500 various fires, 1807 foundation of the seminary, addition of upper floors. 1951/52 restoration, the original character was restored. Late Gothic carved altar (around 1520). Mosaic pictures by Hans Baumhauser (1952).

Guided tours of the city Find out more about Chur's old town on guided tours and themed tours. Whether you are an individual or in a group, there is a lot to discover on the guided tours offered by Chur Tourism! Or take the City E-Guide from Chur Tourism on your own personal city tour. The free app offers a variety of tours for you to choose from, so you can explore the city on your own.