Chur

In the series 'Historical City Atlas of Switzerland', following various small towns, the volume 'Chur' presents another type of city: at the foot of the Grisons mountain passes, one of the first bishopric seats in Switzerland emerged on the site of a Roman settlement. The medieval city developed below the residence of its episcopal lord, from which it eventually emancipated itself. From the 19th century onwards, Chur was the capital of the canton of Graubünden and, due to urban development in modern times, is classified as a medium-sized city in Switzerland. The folder includes a map section and an integrated commentary and illustration section. The maps visualize the settlement development from prehistoric times to the present. Supplementary information is provided by thematic maps, historical plans, and aerial images. The commentary presents the architectural growth and structural changes in the context of the general city history and documents the settlement development in around 100 illustrations. Archaeological finds, findings, and construction investigations are considered in the atlas, as well as archival sources and statistical data. Illustrations such as woodcuts, drawings, or photographs depict the urban development in various ways. The 'Historical City Atlas of Switzerland' is part of an international project. It is based on the principles of representation developed by the International Commission for Urban History, thus allowing for comparison with developments in other urban settlements. The Historical City Atlas of Chur was created in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Hans Rudolf Egli (Geographical Institute of the University of Bern), Bosch & Heim Architects (Chur), the Archaeological Service of Graubünden, the Heritage Conservation Office of Graubünden, the City Archive of Chur, the Department of Civil Engineering and Surveying of the City of Chur, and the Planning Department of the Building Office of the City of Chur.