The origin of the name of this four-storey edifice, the Malteserturm (Maltese Tower), is not documented, nor is there any record of a link with the so-called Order of the Knights of Malta. Its previous name, however, is rather more revealing – Pulverturm (Gunpowder Tower), which derives from its earlier function as a gunpowder magazine. The tower also once formed the southwesterly corner pillar of the city walls, which were erected during the first half of the 13th century. To this day, the Malteserturm marks the transition from the Old Town to the more recent settlement outside the former city walls.

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With a settlement history of over 5000 years, Chur is the oldest city in Switzerland and the picturesque old town is considered one of the most fully preserved in the country. Visitors from all over the world discover its sights during a leisurely stroll or on a guided city tour through the winding alleyways. Especially worth seeing are the episcopal palace, the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, and the superbly preserved buildings in the old town. Numerous boutiques, restaurants, bars, museums, and galleries, as well as regular markets and events, ensure the traffic-free old town has an almost Mediterranean charm.

Attractive, traffic-free, lively

Chur has one of the best preserved old towns in Switzerland. In recent decades it has been continuously restored, and today it is almost entirely free of traffic. Red signs lead you through the city and to the most beautiful sights, squares and alleyways. The old town also provides a backdrop for many colourful markets like the farmer's market every Saturday morning between May and October, the monthly flea market on Arcas square and the traditional Christmas market at the end of the year. The many boutiques, restaurants, cafes, bars, museums and galleries create an almost Mediterranean flair in the traffic-free old town.

Cathedral and Episcopal Court

Above the old town lies the episcopal court and the 800-year-old cathedral with its magnificent golden high altar from the late Gothic period. The cathedral is dedicated to the assumption of the Virgin Mary and is one of the most important cultural monuments in Switzerland. The court area was settled already during Roman times, when it served as a barracks. 451 Episcopal seat with simple basilica. The second cathedral in this place was built in the 8th century. Marble sculptures from that building are now standing in the newer cathedral (ornaments on the St. Lawrence altar and overlay on the St. Fidelis altar).  The current cathedral was built between 1150 and 1272 and, due to the position of our city along pass roads, it shows influences from all major Occidental cultures. Romanesque stone carvings on the capitals and the apostles' pillars. A Gothic sacrament house (1484) and a high altar by Jacob Russ (1486 -1492).

St.Martin's Church

The church that dominates the face of Chur was built after a fire in the city of the remains of a Carolingian church with three apses. It was completed in 1492 and has served as reformed town church since 1526. The south wall is adorned by three impressive stained-glass windows by Augusto Giacometti from the year 1919. The bell tower was constructed in 1509 and got its pointed tip after a series of modifications in 1917 and 1918. The St.Martin's fountain in front of the church was built in 1716, the column and the sculptures were made in 1910 after originals from 1716. A complete restoration was performed in 1990.

St.Lucius' Church

Of the Carolingian church with three apses from the first half of the 8th century, only the ring crypt with its confession remain today. 1140 Foundation of the Premonstratensian monastery, Romanesque Expansion (choir and crypt). After 1500 several fires, 1807 foundation of the priest seminary and elevation. 1951/52 restoration in the original style. Late Gothic carved altar (around 1520). Mosaic pictures by Hans Baumhauser(1952).

City tours

On guided and themed tours you can learn more about the old town of Chur. Whether individually or in a group, there is a lot to discover on the tours offered by Chur Tourism.

www.churtourismus.ch/en/guidedtours

The city palace of Colonel Andreas von Salis-Soglio, built between 1751 and 1752, is characterised by its restrained elegance. The grey façades are sparsely decorated and the windows are arranged in an unobtrusively rhythmical fashion. However, the interior of the building, which is also known as the Graues Haus (Grey House), is rather more flamboyant: both the rooms, which are partly panelled, partly decorated with stucco, and the magnificent hall, with its Venetian chandelier, are particularly impressive. Nowadays, this commanding building houses the Cantonal Parliament, which purchased it in 1807. 

Freestanding houses are an extremely rare sight in Chur’s Old Town. The Obere Spaniöl is the oldest example of a manor house that departs from Chur’s usual style of terraced houses and, in its solitary position, has an imposing appearance. It was built for Captain Carl von Salis and his wife, Hortensia Gugelberg von Moos. Unfortunately the name of the architect of this twowinged building is unknown. Besides the interior, which displays a coffered ceiling dating from 1645 and a tower furnace from 1750, a particularly impressive feature is the arcade, leading to a beautiful terraced garden on the southern side of the building.

In close collaboration with designers, craftsmen and architects, the young Swiss label, OKRO, develops objects and furniture. OKRO explores the limits of what is possible and impossible, of usefulness and beauty, of being an end in itself and a space in between of history and duration. In the gallery OKRO, new objects are shown in regular exhibitions.

The gallery's programme reflects the many possibilities for contemporary art as well as the different possible media such as photography, painting, drawing, sculpture and object art, installation, video and new media. Its focus lies on presenting Swiss contemporary  art.