Grossratsgebäude: Seat of Graubünden's Parliament

The Grossratsgebäude, located in Chur, is the meeting place for the parliament of Graubünden, the largest canton in Switzerland. The building stands just north of the Old Town, neighboring the Chur Theatre. Constructed between 1861 and 1863 by architect Johannes Ludwig, the building initially served as an armory. It was designed in the Neo-Renaissance style, a popular architectural movement at the time. In 1959, architect Martin Risch oversaw the building's division into separate spaces for the parliament and the theater. In the Grossratsaal (Grand Council Chamber), visitors can see 40 coats of arms representing the 39 districts of Graubünden and the cantonal coat of arms, created in 1960 by Giuseppe Scartezzini. A redesign of the entrance area, costing 670,000 Swiss francs, was completed between 2008 and 2009 based on plans by Valerio Olgiati, though it was met with public debate and construction delays. The Grossratsgebäude is more than just a functional government building; it's a symbol of Chur and Graubünden's history and civic pride.