The Rosenhügel looks back on a long and grim history: the hill at the foot of the Pizokel was already in use back in the 14th century - not for recreation, but as an execution site. The gallows were dismantled in 1836. Soon afterwards, new life was breathed into the hill and it was made accessible to the public as a landscape park. In the place where people were once condemned, colourful flowers now bloom and on the site where the executions took place, a fountain now bubbles peacefully to itself. Situated just above the city, the park offers a wonderful panoramic view of Chur and the surrounding area.

Currently: Upgrading the park
In order to make the park more attractive, as part of the development along with Hirschbühl in 2018, the entire complex was being enlarged and improved.

Access
Rosenhügel can be accessed from Malixerstrasse (between Obertor roundabout and restaurant Rosenhügel). One entrance directly opposite the restaurant Rosenhügel and one halfway between restaurant and roundabout.

Dani Schwarz has turned his passion into a profession: After many years in computer science, he is now a sommelier and runs the "gust" shop in Chur's old town. As a wine expert SFS/ASSP, certified sommelier SFS/ASSP and certified cheese sommelier, Daniel Schwarz is happy to pass on his knowledge - be it in the context of themed tastings, Events with wine, cheese and other food or entertaining formats such as wine and cheese games. In addition, "gust" offers employee training and wine list advice for catering businesses. 

The University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons is an innovative and entrepreneurial university of applied sciences with over 2000 students. It trains responsible specialists and managers. As a regionally anchored university of applied sciences, it impresses with its personal atmosphere beyond the cantonal and national borders. The University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons offers bachelor's, master's and continuing education courses in architecture, civil engineering, digital science, management, mobile robotics, multimedia production, photonics, service design and tourism. It also conducts applied research in these disciplines, contributing to innovations, knowledge and solutions for society. The University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons has been part of the FHO University of Applied Sciences Eastern Switzerland since 2000. With the eligibility for contributions granted by the Federal Council, it will be the eighth public university of applied sciences in Switzerland as of 1 January 2020.

Whether wedding, birthday, family celebration, anniversary, retirement, polter event or club trip - we have the right carriage for you and prepare an unforgettable day with a carriage ride according to your wish.

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.

The St. Martin's square lies in the oldest part of Chur, midway between the two towers, the Obertor and the Untertor, thus forming part of the historical north-south route through the inner city. It is dominated by the Kirche St. Martin. The Martinsbrunnen dates from 1716. Its basin is adorned with signs of the zodiac. Apart from the sign-holder and the columns, the fountain is still in its original state.

In the shadow of the Kirche St. Martin is a row of houses of considerable historical significance. Situated on Martinsplatz itself, Haus Reydt, with its three-storey oriel, was built in 1574 in the late Gothic style. Adjoining it is Haus Menhardt, erected the same year and in the same style. Next door is the even older Antistitium, whose neighbouring building contains important paintings from 1580. These depict, in a comical reversal of reality, rabbits catching a hunter. The Zunfthaus der Schneider (guildhall of the tailors’ guild) was rebuilt following the city fire in 1464. Today it houses an armchair theatre.

This square is older than its name; until the 17th century it was still known as Klosterplatz. Then the adjoining monastery was closed and a corn granary set up in the church. With the departure of the monks, the old name for the square also disappeared. The name Kornplatz (Corn Square) has remained to this day – in spite of the fact that the once stringently controlled corn trade was liberalised in 1840 and the corn granary closed down. While the square served as a site for various markets right into the last century, these days it is an important intersection between the sleepy Old Town and the livelier modern district.

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.