Grand Council Building

Grossratsgebäude in Chur is the seat of the Graubünden cantonal parliament, housed in a former mid-nineteenth-century armoury. It stands at Masanserstrasse 3 next to the city theatre, and it combines a working political venue with an interesting architectural story.

What is the Grossratsgebäude?

The building is where the Grand Council (Grosser Rat) of Graubünden meets. It was not built for politics, though. It began life as an arsenal, the Zeughaus, replacing an older military depot "im Steinbruch" that burned down in 1859. Chur architect Johannes Ludwig designed it, and construction ran from 1861 to 1863. It had two storeys, three in the projecting wings, with soldiers' quarters under the roof.

What does it look like?

The facade follows the Rundbogenstil, the round-arch style fashionable in Switzerland around 1860. Architectural historians compare it with the roughly contemporary main building of ETH Zurich. The outer shell has barely changed, while the interior has been reworked several times:

• 1957–1959: architect Martin Risch redesigned the interior from scratch for its new role as parliament and theatre;
• 1992–1993: Monika Brügger adapted it to the needs of the time;
• 2009: Valerio Olgiati added a step-free entrance, a ramp with a roof carried by a slab-like element in white exposed concrete;
• 2012: the chamber received a voting and conference system and new lighting, at a cost of about CHF 2.6 million;
• 2015: a media room was set up in the attic.

Can you go inside?

Grand Council sessions are open to the public. The visitors' gallery has 34 seats, so during a session you can follow the debate live. Outside session days, visits depend on arrangements with the organisers; the canton publishes details at gr.ch. Keep in mind that this is a working institution, not a museum.

How do you get there?

The building sits in central Chur at the edge of the old town, a walk from the railway station. Step-free access is from Theaterplatz. The city theatre shares the same historic building.

What else is nearby?

Chur is one of the oldest towns in Switzerland, so after the parliament it is worth continuing into the old town lanes, the cathedral and the churches. A short walk lets you compare nineteenth-century public architecture with the medieval streets.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Chur parliament building constructed?

The original armoury was built between 1861 and 1863 to a design by Johannes Ludwig. It has served as parliament and theatre since the 1957–1959 conversion.

Is it free to watch a session?

Grand Council sessions are public and the gallery has 34 seats. Check session dates on the Graubünden canton website.

Is the building wheelchair accessible?

Yes. Since 2009 there has been a step-free entrance designed by Valerio Olgiati, reached from Theaterplatz.

Who designed the new entrance?

Swiss architect Valerio Olgiati. His white concrete ramp is a contemporary accent against the nineteenth-century facade.