Theater Chur: A Cultural Gem in Switzerland's Oldest City

Theater Chur, formerly known as Stadttheater Chur, stands as the largest theater in the Canton of Graubünden. Established in 1876, the theater has a rich history of continuous seasonal operation, with regular guest performances in Davos, Glarus, Rheinfelden and Aarau. The theater is located in the city of Chur, which is known as the oldest city in Switzerland. Archaeological evidence suggests settlement in the area dates back as far as 11,000 BC. Over its long history, Chur has been ruled by the Romans, seen devastating fires, and been occupied by foreign troops. The current Theater Chur building, situated on Zeughausstrasse 6, has been in use since 1959. It is located in close proximity to the Grossratsgebäude (Cantonal Parliament Building). The building that now houses both the Theater Chur and the Cantonal Parliament was originally built between 1861 and 1863 by architect Johannes Ludwig as an armory. In 1959, architect Martin Risch converted the former armory to accommodate both the theater and the parliament. In 2008/2009, architect Valerio Olgiati redesigned the entrance. Today, Theater Chur fosters new and interesting experiments and cultural dialogues. From September to June, the theater presents international productions by established directors and choreographers, as well as national and regional co-productions by a wide variety of contemporary artists, including actors, musicians, and puppet theater groups. The theater also hosts concert series, local and regional amateur dramatics, dance productions, and other events. The Café Bar on the first floor is open one hour before, during, and at least one hour after performances and can be hired for events.