Chur is a town in Switzerland. (German Chur (khoor) [ku:r], Romansh Cuera (KWAY-rah) ['kwera] or Cuoira (KWOI-rah) ['kwojra], Italian Coira (KOI-rah) ['kojra])

Chur is the capital of the Swiss canton of Graubünden and lies in the northern part of the canton.

There are 33,500 inhabitants in Chur. Languages spoken include Swiss German, Italian and Romansh.

It has a variable altitude in the city area from just 600 metres above sea level to 1,800 metres above sea level, while the Churer Hausberg Brambrüesch (accessible from the old city) is situated at 2,174 metres above sea level.

History

With a history of over 5,000 years, Chur rightfully claims to be the oldest Swiss city. Chur derives its name from Celtic: kora, koria, which means "clan, tribe."

It was once the capital of the Roman province of Rhaetia Prima in 15 BC.

A Bishop of Chur is first mentioned in 451.

When Graubünden became a canton in 1803 Chur was chosen to become its capital.

Sights

The highlights of Chur are the Romano-Gothic cathedral where lie the remains of the Swiss patriot Jürg Jenatsch , the Bishop's château (Bischöflicher Hof) and the church of St. Luzius. In this town you may also visit the Giger Bar designed by the Swiss artist H. R. Giger.

The old city is also worth a visit. Also worthy of a visit are the Rhaetian Museum, the art gallery, as well as the natural museum.

Chur is almost entirely surrounded by mountains.

Transportation

Chur Station has the SBB-CFF-FFS lines link with the RhB (Rhaetian railways) lines. While the SBB lines serve most of Switzerland, much of Graubünden's rail traffic is still served by Rhaetian railways.

There is also a bus station on top of the railway station.

Chur is linked via a solitary motorway -- the A13 motorway.

Dr Bus Vo Chur is the urban bus company. (The name is in Swiss German: it literally means "the bus of Chur".)

External links

• Chur homepage
• Chur tourism homepage

Chur is also a town in Russia.