Chur

Chur is the capital of the Swiss canton of Graubünden and is commonly described as the oldest continuously inhabited town in Switzerland, with evidence of urban settlement dating back to antiquity and a development in the Middle Ages. Today it serves as the administrative and economic center of Graubünden and has a population of around 37,000 residents in the early 2020s.

Geographically, Chur lies in the Rhine valley in eastern Switzerland, on the Plessur River at an altitude of about 585 meters. It functions as the gateway to Graubünden’s mountain regions and lies at the northern end of the region’s network of valleys and rail routes.

Historically, archaeological finds show settlement in the area dating back to the Bronze Age. The town is first mentioned in written sources in the early Middle Ages under the name Curia. It developed as a religious and commercial center, with the Diocese of Chur exerting influence over a broad region. In modern times, Chur became the cantonal capital of Graubünden, which is a Swiss canton within the federal state.

Chur’s historic center preserves a mix of medieval and Baroque architecture, including the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption (Chur Cathedral) and the Bishop’s Palace. The old town’s narrow lanes and arcades are characteristic of its urban fabric. The city is also the starting point for the Rhaetian Railway’s Albula and Bernina lines, a UNESCO World Heritage site that links Chur with St. Moritz and Tirano and underscores the area’s scenic and engineering significance.

Economically, Chur functions as a transport hub and administrative center, with tourism, services, and government work playing major roles alongside regional commerce.