Chur, the Oldest City in Switzerland... and a walk to Trimmis

Sunday February 18, 2024 -- Right now we are taking advantage of any half-way nice weather to walk, even if it's not mountain hiking.

This Sunday promised nice weather in Chur, so we headed that way for an easy 10-kilometer walk in the Rhine Valley to the town of Trimmis. Chur is the oldest city in Switzerland (evidence of "hunters and gatherers" here dating 13,000 years has been found, as well as solid settlements from the Bronze and Iron Ages 2200 to 15 BC. In 15 BC, the Roman Emperor Augustus conquered the region and added it to his Empire).

Chur was also a long time home of powerful Catholic Bishops since at least the 5th Century, but possibly before that as well. The current Cathedral of the Diocese of Chur was built between 1154 and 1270. As we had never been to look at the Cathedral and the Bishop's Court (which includes the residences), we started our excursion here in the old town. From there we walked along easy forest and pasture trails northwards along the valley. Unfortunately the sky did get overcast with fine wispy clouds, so we didn't have as much sunshine as we'd hoped. (We also started quite late, as we had a hard time deciding if we even wanted to go).

We ended the hike in Trimmis at about 3:30 p.m. and the trip home was only about 2½ hours. The loveliest part of the walk were the many dry-stone walls just before reaching Trimmis. 

Arriving by train into the city of Chur at about 11:45 a.m. It actually only takes two hours to get here, but we weren't sure whether we were actually going to do an excursion this day, and this was a last-minute decision. We usually leave home earlier than 9:45!

A neat passage between two buildings

Heading up one of the main roads in the old town of Chur. The city is fairly deserted as it is Sunday and all the shops are closed. 

The date on this building reads 1576

We walked through some very narrow passages beneath the houses. These buildings were adjacent to the old city wall. 

And this one has a date of 1538

This is St. Martin's church in the main plaza in Chur. The original church (from at least the year 800) was damaged along with most of the buildings in this part of the city in a large fire of 1464. This church was built in 1535 and is the largest late-gothic building and the largest evangelical church in Canton Graubünden. 

Interior of St.Martin's Church in Chur.

Heading up the stairs through a tower in the old city wall, toward the Bishop's Cathedral

The "Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary" is a heritage site of national importance. This current building was built between 1154 and 1270, although the original church on this site was probably from the middle of the 5th Century. 

This church wasn't locked!

Some old frescoes

The organ looks too modern for this old building! According to Wikipedia, this arched window is the largest medieval window in Canton Graubünden. 

Behind the main altar was a raised dais, separated by a wooden fence. This notice warns that there is an alarm here because of the valuable piece of art: A late Gothic winged altar from 1492!!!

At the very back of the church is this late-Gothic winged altar dating from 1492.

Cathedral of Chur: Built between 1154 and 1270.

After looking at some of the buildings in the old town of the old city of Chur, we started on our walk to Trimmis at 12:30. We got to Trimmis at about 3:15 p.m. 

Looking behind us now at the Cathedral and the Bishop's palace. 

A look across the rooftops of the city of Chur

That is the coolest roof I have ever seen! According to our map, right about at that location would be a former Dominican Abbey. 

Another look behind us at the old town of Chur with the Cathedral and the Bishop's Palace, and the tower of St.Martin's Evangelical church. The local mountain is called Brambrüesch and is a popular skiing mountain. We were up there at the end of October 2022 (those beautiful photos are HERE)

Heading North along a forest road

The first blossoms are a real pleasure to see. 

This building has a label: "Guesthouse Klein Waldeck", but I don't think there have been guests here for a long time!

I guess they're leaving the Christmas decorations up!

On the opposite side of the valley we can make out the ruins of the Haldenstein Fortress. We visited that site in January 2023 (Photos HERE), and walked around the base of that rock where the fortress is perched on!

Heading north. There are many people out walking on this mild Sunday afternoon, even though there isn't much sunshine anymore. 

Looking back at the very large city of Chur

It's warm enough for short sleeves!

The first of a long series of very nice dry-stone walls before reaching the next town: Trimmis, where we ended out walk. 

A kind of moor landscape. 

More dry-stone walls and pleasant paths

We got a real kick out of this as we entered the village of Trimmis! We have bears here too!

The main attraction for us in Trimmis, obviously, was this old church at the base of the vertical cliffs to the east. St.Leonhard was first mentioned in the 12th Century, although there was probably an older church here. The original building was destroyed in a fire, and rebuilt in 1764. 

The interior of the St.Leonard church. Lots of very nice wood details. 

Old gravestones behind the church. The second to the right has dates: 1833-1890

Unbelievable: There is a building (probably a barn) perched right on the edge of that vertical cliff! We caught the 15:51 bus to the Trimmis train station for our trip home. 

What this day's walk looks like on Google Satellite Maps (pink trail, approx. 10 km) 

Location of Chur within Switzerland. 

This photo (one of my favourite subjects to photograph) is of the Sargans Castle which we passed on the way to Chur at 11:20