Visit the Obertor or Upper Gate, one of the three surviving towers of Chur's medieval fortifications. This four-story structure today marks the southwest entrance and exit of the Old Town.
As you approach the tower, pause to look over the attractive structure, which narrows toward the top and features a clock face. Then walk through the archway and study the paintings etched on its walls. These paintings were created in the last century and include views of the Old Town.
Once you have passed through the tower’s archway you enter a car-free world of cobblestone streets, ancient alleys and historical buildings. Stroll along the Old Town’s pavements to the 800-year-old Cathedral of St. Mary’s Ascension. Visit St. Martin's Church, which stands on the site of an 8th-century church. Most of the current building is a Gothic reconstruction from the 15th century after the earlier church was destroyed by fire. Browse the Old Town's shops and boutiques and then find a chair at a sidewalk café for coffee or a light lunch.
Go to the city's other defensive towers, the Sennhof Tower and the Maltese Tower. The latter stately stone building is also known as the Powder Tower because of its previous use as a gunpowder magazine.
Passing through the Obertor is one of the primary routes into Chur’s Old Town. You’ll find it easy to get here from anywhere in Chur. Cars are not permitted, but metered parking is available just outside the city's historic center. Alternatively, come by bus or tram. In addition to the Old Town's historical sights, the medieval tower is within walking distance of a handful of popular attractions in the newer parts of the city. These include the aerial cableway that leads up Brambrüesch Mountain and the Shelter for Roman Ruins that preserves remains of the city’s 5,000 years of human history.
