Chur
Fly here
Reputed to be the oldest town in Switzerland, gateway to the Grisons.
From the basket
Deep in the valley down which the Rhine flows from the Alps, at the foot of the Grisons mountains, Chur was built on the fan of gravel that a torrent, the Plessur, left behind as it came out of its gorge. From the balloon you can see the old town huddle at the foot of the bishop’s hill, without quite touching the river, before the valleys fan out in every direction.
Chur is a town of meetings. The Latin and Germanic worlds have crossed here for centuries, and the three languages of the Grisons, German, Romansh and Italian, are all present. From the station, red trains climb to the valleys: to Arosa, to Davos, to the Engadine, to the Grisons Oberland.
People have lived here for a very long time: the oldest traces of settlement date back more than four thousand years, to around 2500 BC. Under the Romans the town was called Curia and ruled a province, Raetia Prima. A bishop settled here as early as the late 300s.
Fly over the old town and the bishop’s hill, then follow the Rhine up towards the Alps.
Sources: Wikipedia, “Coire” (in French).
All around
- Davos, 24 km to the east
To discover around Chur
Arosa Line
The journey through Chur starts at a leisurely pace. However, shortly after the city borders, the red train turns into a mountain railway steeply ascending to Arosa (1,775 m a.s.l.).
Bernina Herb Express
A journey on the Bernina Herb Express to Le Prese is a chance for passengers to experience the UNESCO World Heritage Site up close and immerse themselves in the world of herbs in Valposchiavo.
Chur: St. Luzius in Chur (Monastic Church of St. Lucius)
St. Lucius is a small church, part of St. Lucius seminary, perched on a hillside overlooking the town of Chur. Although the church serves primarily the needs of its student priests, visitors are welcome.
Fontana Park
Fontana Park is set in the heart of Chur. It is the perfect place to escape the bustle of the city, to enjoy the atmosphere, or to read a book.
Framework of Borders
The "Gerüst der Grenzen" (framework of borders) along with the letters CHURCHURCHUR (at the subway) and the Three Fountains (on the station square) form part of Christoph Rütimann’s art in a public space project at Chur Station.
Kulturbar Werkstatt (Folk Club Chur)
A cooperative events location in Chur’s Old Town. In addition to a lively cultural programme of concerts, readings, exhibitions, and discussion and film evenings, this venue also affords fine dining options in a unique atmosphere.
Mephisto-Bar-Club
This is THE meeting place in Chur: 3 bars with an extensive range of drinks. On Fridays and Saturdays, DJs make for a rousing sound.
St. Martinskirche (St. Martin's Church)
The 8th-century St. Martin's Church was the site of John Comander's persuasive sermons in 1524, and became Protestant in 1525.
Source: Switzerland Tourism — myswitzerland.com, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.