Pulvermühle Chur
Listed Pulvermühle in Chur, where black powder for firearms and blasting was produced until 1976; visits with a guided tour from April to October.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Pulvermühle in Chur was founded in 1842 by Peter Theodor Marin (1818–1864) from Zizers. In 1858 the Swiss Confederation took over the plant and had black powder produced here until 1976: shooting powder, blasting powder and artillery powder. A workforce of seven to ten men produced up to 90 tons a year. For safety reasons, the individual parts of the operation were spread across many small buildings.
The site covers 3.5 hectares between the Obertorer Mühlbach, Pulvermühlestrasse and the A13 motorway. Twenty-one historical small buildings from the time of powder production survive. The early industrial installations are driven by a mill race from the Obertorer Mühlbach, one of the two artificial mill channels that have supplied Chur with water and energy for centuries.
The site and its machinery are protected as a historic monument. Since 2006 the facilities have housed a museum and an animal and leisure park. The Pulvermühle can be visited between April and October on registered guided tours.
Highlights
- Gunpowder factory from 1842, in operation until 1976
- 21 historical small buildings on a site of 3.5 hectares
- Early industrial machines driven by water from the Obertorer Mühlbach
- Heritage-listed industrial complex
- Guided tours from April to October
Permanent exhibition
- Historische Pulvermühle – The preserved works buildings and water-driven machines show, on the guided tour, how black powder was made in Chur for more than 130 years.
- Founded
- 2006
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 10 |
|---|---|
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 10 per personGuided tours for groups of 10 or more people |
Admission is CHF 10 per person as part of a guided tour.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The museum is wheelchair accessible.
Kids & families
The site also includes an animal and leisure park.
Getting there & parking
The site is in the west of Chur, between the Obertorer Mühlbach, Pulvermühlestrasse and the A13 motorway.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours from April to October by registration with Gaudenz Schmid-Lys, Rheinstrasse 186, 7000 Chur, phone +41 81 285 15 34 (before 9:00); at least 10 people. |
