Old Town Chur Guided Tour: Discover Switzerland's Oldest City
5.0
1 Rating
Chur
Explore the ancient streets of Chur, Switzerland's oldest city, on a guided tour. Discover historical landmarks, hear fascinating stories, and immerse yourself in the rich history of this 11,000-year-old city.
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Bahnhofplatz (Chur) - We start the tour centrally at Chur train station. Look around, we are surrounded by beautiful mountains. Let yourself be carried away by the alpine town flair.

  • Bahnhofstrasse - As a pedestrian zone, the new Bahnhofstrasse invites you to shop and stroll. Our guide will introduce you to the history of Chur as far as the entrance to the old town.

  • Rhaetian Railway (RhB) Administration Building - The building is an expression of the so-called Bündner Heimatstil, a movement that took up regional building traditions and wanted to develop them further. The representative, but appealing administrative building of the Rhaetian Railway is one of the most important buildings of this movement. On this old town tour, the building is only explained from the outside.

  • Bundner Kunstmuseum - The Bündner Kunstmuseum consists of two buildings - the neoclassical Villa Planta from 1875 and the extension by the architects Barozzi & Veiga from 2016.
    We stop briefly in the garden and let the art object “Torso with a long skull shape” by the artist H.R. Inspire Giger.

  • Graubündner Kantonalbank, Hauptsitz Chur Postplatz - Postplatz is the intersection of everyday life in Chur, because two important traffic axes intersect here: Bahnhofstrasse, which continues on Poststrasse in the old town, and Grabenstrasse.
    The architecture of the headquarters of the Graubündner Kantonalbank is also striking on the square.
    On the Postplatz you will find exciting information about this important traffic junction and enter the old town of Chur.

  • Fontanapark - Fontanapark is located in the heart of the city of Chur. In its present form, the Fontanapark again shows the boundaries of the Baroque garden before 1860.
    Enjoy the colorful oasis while you listen to the stories of our guide.

  • Kornplatz (Corn Square) - The square is older than its name: until the 17th century it was still called Klosterplatz. Then the adjoining monastery was closed and a granary was built in it. The old name of the square disappeared with the monastery from 1288.
    You can find out more about this important place here.

  • Town Hall - The politics of Chur are wrong: Anyone who looks at the town hall more closely might think that. Because of the irregular floor plan and the sloping roof ridge, the building seems to have gotten out of joint. But that is not due to politics, but to the history of the house.
    You can find out more about this by visiting the building from the inside.

  • Reichsgasse - In historical times, Reichgasse was Chur’s main street.
    Our guide will tell you funny anecdotes about the car ban in Graubünden.

  • St. Martinsplatz - Martinsplatz is located in the oldest part of Chur, in the middle between the Ober- and Untertor, and is therefore part of the historic north-south connection between the city center. The square is dominated by the St. Martin’s Church.
    If the church is open, let’s take a look inside.

  • St. Maria Himmelfahrt Cathedral - The Episcopal Court towers over the old town with the cathedral, which is over 800 years old, and its late Gothic high altar gleaming in golden splendor. The cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary and is one of the most important cultural monuments in Switzerland.
    We go in and walk through the naves of the cathedral. There is a lot to see and tell.

  • Bärenloch - The Bärenloch is the most enchanted place within the city of Chur - and at the same time the best preserved part of the old town.
    Find out where the name comes from …

  • Arcas - Picturesque and medieval - this is how the Arcas appears today. This was different until 1971, because up to then magazine structures obstructed the space.
    Marvel at the beautiful Churs square.

  • Obere Gasse - Salsiz, pear bread, nut cake, Röteli ….. In this historic alley you will find some Grisons and Chur specialties.

  • Obertor - Together with the Maltese and the Sennhofturm, the Obertor is one of the still preserved tower structures of the medieval city fortifications. Thanks to its neat appearance, the Obertor soon became a landmark of the old Churs.
    We stay outside and find an enjoyable end to the tour.

What's Included
  • Guided city tour
What's Not Included
  • Museums
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Navigate through Switzerland’s most ancient city where inhabitants existed 11,000 years prior. Commence your journey from the contemporary railway station, pass through the bustling heart of the city, delve into the twisting lanes of Chur’s historic town, and ascend to the eight-century-old cathedral. Familiarize yourself with historical Chur, explore key landmarks, and hear gripping tales and anecdotes from our well-informed city guides.

Location
Bahnhofplatz
escalator
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(1 Rating)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Select Date and Tickets
up to 6 guests
1 Adult
June 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today