28.08.2005, Chur (Curia)

The oldest settlement traces in Chur are from the year 11'000 BC. Finds from various eras are known from both settlement areas (Karlihof (next to Hof) and Welschdoerfli).

The vicus Curia was in the present Welschdoerfli. This region was inhabited in roman time from the 1st century AD up to the 4th/5th century AD (partly to the 6th century). Here were various dwelling houses and trade buildings, the public thermal springs and maybe also a mansio (inn).

The buildings were original of timber. From the middle of the 1st century these were replaced by stone buildings.

The field "Hof" was in the early roman time obviously not inhabited. Anyway finds are missing. These begin in the 4th century AD. Here was presumably a fort. Known are - next to few sections of the enclosure wall - churches. West from that was a tomb chamber that served obviously as a grave of the bishops. Later was built a church above it. Whether a real resettlement of the Welschdoerfli into this field toke place is not unambiguously sure.

In the field Karlihof - northern bordering at Hof - were found pieces of pottery and coins from the time 276/282 and the late-empire. It is not sure that it was a question of a real settlement area.

Whether Curia was capital of Raetia prima after the new partition of the provinces under Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus (284 - 305 AD) is not sure. It is supposed because the other relevant cities (Bregenz, Kempten) were too close to the capital of Raetia II (Augsburg). Furthermore Chur was more centrally in the province.

Today only still few roman remains are to see in Chur. Two buildings in the Welschdoerfli were preserved in a shelter. The grave building was preserved in the canton school, however, the accessibility is not clear.

Quick Info:

Dwelling houses in the Welschdoerfli:

Grave building in the canton school:

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