Torculum Weinbaumuseum

About the museum

The Neubruchtorkel (torkel, a wine press house) in Chur was built in 1582 as a new building in the middle of the vineyards. Tree-ring dating has shown that the building and parts of the press are older than long assumed; parts of the first press from the 16th century have survived. The present press beam, almost 15 meters long, was made from a spruce felled in 1609. It is the largest grape press in eastern Switzerland.

The city of Chur bought the torkel in 1971. After renovation, the building was set up as a viticulture museum in the 1980s and showed its own exhibits for the first time. It documents the roughly 2,000-year-old vine-growing culture of the city. In December 2019 the "Torculum" reopened after a gentle renovation with a newly designed exhibition; the main attraction remains the massive press.

The museum is also an event venue of the city of Chur. Visitors can book an information session of about one hour, in which a film shows the path from the vine to the glass and provides further information about wine.

Highlights

• Largest grape press in eastern Switzerland, with a press beam of about 15 meters from 1609
• Building from 1582 in the middle of Chur's vineyards
• Film "Von der Rebe bis ins Glas" about the wine year
• Event venue for celebrations, lectures and company events

Permanent exhibitions

• Traubenpresse im Neubruchtorkel – The massive press, with its almost 15-meter press beam from 1609, is the central exhibit and stands in the 1582 building.
• Weinjahr und Churer Rebbaukultur – The exhibition, newly designed in 2019, shows roughly 2,000 years of vine-growing culture in Chur; an audiovisual presentation accompanies visitors through the wine year.

Founded

1987

Operated by

Stadt Chur

Admission & discounts

The city of Chur does not publish admission prices; information sessions and rental prices on request.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

Event venue with its own facilities; details on request.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The Torculum is rented out as an event venue for social occasions of all kinds (company, family and birthday parties, class reunions, courses, readings). Facilities and rental prices on request from the city of Chur.

Plan your visit