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Church · Chur, Grisões
Kathedrale St. Mariä Himmelfahrt
The cathedral of Chur, consecrated in 1272, stands on a rocky terrace above the old town, with a large carved Gothic high altar and the bishop’s palace opposite.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Kathedrale St. Mariä Himmelfahrt
The cathedral of Nossa Senhora da Assunção is located in the Hof, the bishop’s quarter, on a rocky terrace above Chur’s old town. The site was occupied by a late Roman fortification in the 4th century, and the diocese of Chur, one of the oldest north of the Alps, has a recorded bishop since the 5th century. For centuries the bishop’s quarter functioned as a separate territory, independent from the city.
The present building was constructed between 1150 and 1272, when it was consecrated. It is a basilica transitional between Romanesque and Gothic styles, with a rather closed exterior. The tower, with its curved dome, dates from 1828–1829, rebuilt after a fire in the quarter in 1811.
Inside, the highlight is the high altar, a large late-15th-century gilded and carved wooden Gothic retable with scenes and figures of saints. The crypt, the carved capitals and the cathedral treasure, with reliquaries and medieval liturgical objects, complete the visit. The cathedral underwent a major restoration in the early 21st century.
Opposite is the bishop’s palace and, around it, the canons’ houses, forming an enclosed ensemble. The Museu Rético sits just below, on the slope down to the town center.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 30 to 45 minutes; longer if you visit the treasure, when open.
Best time
In the morning, before descending to the old town. Visits are limited during masses.
How to get there
It is located in the Hof, above the old town, about a 15-minute walk from the train station. From Martinsplatz a stairway and a ramp climb up to the bishop’s quarter in a few minutes.
Tip
Look at the high altar up close, from the side: the details of the carved figures only show when you get near. Combine it with the Museu Rético on the way down.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Kathedrale St. Mariä Himmelfahrt
When was the cathedral of Chur built?
Between 1150 and 1272, when it was consecrated. The current tower dates from 1828 and 1829.
What is there to see inside the cathedral of Chur?
The Gothic high altar of gilded and carved wood from the late 15th century, the crypt, the carved capitals and the treasury.
Where is the cathedral of Chur located?
In the Hof, the bishop’s quarter, on a rocky terrace above the old town, about a 15-minute walk from the station.