Chur is the oldest town in Switzerland with a settlement history of over 5000 years. The historic old town is well worth seeing and is completely car-free.

With a settlement history of over 5000 years, Chur is the oldest town in Switzerland and the picturesque old town is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful old towns in Switzerland. Visitors from all over the world discover its sights during a leisurely stroll or on a guided tour through the winding alleyways. The episcopal castle, the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the well-preserved buildings in the old town are particularly worth seeing.  

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

Cathedral & Episcopal Court
The Bishop's Court towers above the old town with the 800-year-old cathedral and its late Gothic high altar, which shines in golden splendor. The cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and is one of the most important cultural monuments in Switzerland. The courtyard was already settled in pre-Roman times and used by the Romans as a base. 451 Bishop's see with a simple basilica. In the 8th century, second cathedral, of which marble sculptures have been preserved today (wattle and daub ornaments under St. Laurentius altar and cladding of St. Fidelis altar). The present cathedral was built between 1150 and 1272 and, given the position of our town on the pass roads, shows influences from all the great Western cultures. Romanesque stone carvings on the capitals and apostle columns. Gothic sacrament house (1484), high altar by Jakob Russ (1486-1492).

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

St. Luzius Church
The ring crypt with confessio from the Carolingian three-apse hall church from the first half of the 8th century is still preserved today. 1140 Foundation of the Premonstratensian monastery, Romanesque extension (choir and hall crypt). Various fires after 1500, foundation of the seminary in 1807, extension. Restoration in 1951/52, the original character is restored. Late Gothic carved altar (around 1520). Mosaic paintings by Hans Baumhauser (1952).

Guided tours of the town
Find out more about Chur's old town on guided tours and themed tours. Whether as an individual or in a group, there is plenty to discover on the guided tours offered by Chur Tourism!
www.churtourismus.ch/stadtfuehrungen


Note: This text was translated by machine translation software and not by a human translator. It may contain translation errors.