Chur - Kathedrale St. Mariae Himmelfahrt

A cathedral may have existed here already within the 5th century. The Kathedrale St. Mariae Himmelfahrt (= "Saint Mary of the Assumption") of today was erected 1150 - 1272, from east to west.

The crypt, under the risen choir, is probably the oldest part of the cathedral. The architectural concept is very similar to that of neighbouring St. Luzius, built the same time.

In 1524, during the Swiss Reformation, the Catholic population of the city were confined to a ghetto enclosed around the bishop's court beside this cathedral. This "territory" existed over centuries. Only since 1854 Catholic citizens could settle in Chur again, where ever they wanted.

I cannot read or interpret this graffito, but it is clearly dated - 1549. 25 years after the Catholics had been confined in and around the cathedral.