If you believe the story that God once gave land to different nations and countries, then Swiss Geneva got one of the most picturesque places in Western Europe. The city stands on the shores of the incredible beauty of Lake Geneva. Its shores are surrounded by mountain peaks of the Alps, and the coastal strip is an exemplary symbiosis of the harmonious life of people and nature.
Geneva is also known as the world capital of watchmaking. Here are the manufactories producing the best chronometers in Switzerland, which have long become a symbol of status and prosperity. From Geneva, precious watches are delivered to the most expensive stores in the world.
The citizens of Geneva were lucky to be born among magnificent nature and clean air, slopes with vineyards, alpine chalets and luxurious yachts. This is probably how exemplary human life should look like.
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What to see and where to go in Geneva?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Lake Geneva
The largest lake in Europe, located in the mountain system of the Alps. The border of Switzerland and France runs along it. Many cultural and artistic figures of the 20th century settled in this picturesque area, now this tradition continues to exist. Around Lake Geneva there are national parks, vineyards, prestigious resorts with Michelin-starred restaurants, archaeological sites of Antiquity and the Middle Ages.
Fountain Same C
Nowadays, the city fountain Je-Deau is considered a landmark and symbol of Geneva, but in the 18th century it was built for a purely practical purpose - as part of a factory hydraulic system. After the need for such systems disappeared, the city authorities decided to turn the fountain into a decoration of Geneva. Now Zhe-Do is a stream of water escaping from Lake Geneva. The system is illuminated thanks to powerful illumination.
Broken chair
Wooden sculpture in the form of a chair with a damaged leg, installed in one of the squares of Geneva. It was created as an expression of protest against the use of anti-personnel mines, which leave people without limbs. The sculpture is 12 meters high. The chair was installed in 1997 at the initiative of the International Organization of Persons with Disabilities. From the very beginning, the idea received a wide public response and support.
Bourg-de-Four Square
The square is located on the left bank of the Rhone river in the historic part of Geneva. In the center there is a small fountain from the 18th century. Since the days of Antiquity, this place has been a market; during the Middle Ages, fugitive French Protestants gathered here. There are several cozy cafes on the square, historical districts and architectural monuments of different eras are located around.
Palace of Nations
Building 1928-1938 buildings that were erected for the League of Nations - the predecessor organization of the modern UN. Until 1966, UNESCO was located on the territory of the Palais des Nations, then the building was transferred to the United Nations, despite the fact that Switzerland was not a member of the organization and joined there only in 2002. The palace was built in the neoclassical style according to the project of a group of architects.
Geneva Museum of Art and History
The museum was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. It is the only collection in Geneva with an extensive encyclopedic collection of art from different eras and countries. Here, paintings by Van Gogh and Monet are exhibited along with ancient Egyptian artifacts. Also in the museum there are many exhibits from the Middle Ages: weapons, armor, church vestments, clothing, household items, ceramics and porcelain.
Patek Philippe Museum
Museum of one of the most elite brands of Swiss watches - “Patek Philippe S.A.”. Even the slogan of this company says that you cannot own their watch, but simply are the temporary custodian of such a "jewel". A professional watch museum guide will lead a tour and tell you about the nuances of watchmaking, which originated in Geneva several hundred years ago, and will also show you unique pieces.
Natural History Museum
One of the largest natural science museums in Europe, whose collection is spread over four floors of an imposing building. Here you can see stuffed animals and birds, fossil skeletons, a collection of minerals, meteorite fragments and precious stones. A separate floor is allocated for an exposition telling about human evolution. The museum regularly hosts thematic events.
Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum
In the second half of the 19th century, a native of Geneva, A. Durand founded the international charitable organization "Red Cross". By the 100th anniversary of this event, it was decided to open a museum dedicated to the activities of the association. As a result, the museum opened only in 1988 due to long negotiations. The exposition consists of documents, films, photographs, posters describing the activities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
Museum of ceramics and glass "Ariana"
The collection grew out of the private collection of the patron G. Revillau. It included sculptures, coins, paintings, pottery and antique stained glass windows. In 1890 the collection became the property of the city. Over time, the exhibits moved to other museums, and only glass and ceramics remained in Ariana. Now in the museum funds are stored more than 12 thousand items, the earliest of which date back to the 8th century.
Ethnographical museum
The museum was founded in 1901 with the participation of Professor E. Pittar. The exposition is divided into seven parts, which are dedicated to the cultures of America, Oceania, Europe, Africa and Asia. In terms of funds, the Ethnographic Museum is considered the second in Switzerland. The collection is housed in a modern building built in 2014, designed by T. Pulver and M. Graber. The distribution of light in the interior of the museum allows you to view all the exhibits from the most advantageous side.
House Tavel
The town house of the noble Tavel family, built in the first half of the 14th century. Representatives of the family lived here until 1963, after which the building was transferred to the city authorities. After reconstruction, a museum was opened on the territory of the house. The exposition is a reconstruction of the old houses of the Geneva aristocracy. The atmosphere was recreated here, which was typical for similar dwellings several centuries ago.
Arsenal
The Arsenal building was built in the 14th century and was first used as a city barn. During the turbulent times of the Reformation, it began to serve as an armory. In the 19th century, the Geneva authorities decided to organize an archive and a historical museum on the territory of the Arsenal, where it was planned to place valuable exhibits. In addition to the museum, the building houses a city fair.
Molar Tower
In the XIV century, the building was part of the system of city fortifications. Earlier in its place there was an old port with access to the sea. In the 16th century, the tower was restored and the coats of arms of famous supporters of the Reformation were put on it. Since then, the building has been a symbol of fighters, revolutionaries and other dissidents who constantly took refuge in Geneva from the persecution of the authorities of their states.
Reformation wall
A monument that immortalized the events of the Reformation, as a result of which national currents began to split off from a single branch of the Western Church. This happened in Germany, the Netherlands, England and other countries. The foundation of the monument was laid 400 years after the birth of one of the founders of the new teaching - J. Calvin. The construction of the wall was completed by 1917. It depicts the figures of prominent figures of the Reformation.
Grand Theater of Geneva
Opera House, built in 1879. For a long time, Geneva did not have a music scene, as the city was influenced by the ideas of the Reformation, which denied luxury and indolence. The theater opened with a production of the opera "William Tell" by G. Rossini. In the XX century, the building was completely destroyed by fire, it was restored by 1962. The last renovation was carried out in 1998.
Saint Paul's Cathedral
Geneva's main cathedral, built on the site of early Christian churches in the 13th century. The building was erected in the Romanesque style, but over time it was "overgrown" with Gothic elements. In the 18th century, as a result of another restructuring, a classic facade appeared at the cathedral. Since 1535, St. Peter's Basilica has been a Calvinist church. He became one of the first churches in Europe to adopt the ideas of the Reformation.
Basilica of Notre Dame
The main Catholic church in the city, built in the 19th century. Until that time, it was not possible to build a Catholic church in "reformist" Geneva. The Basilica is one of the places visited by pilgrims following the Way of St. James. The architecture of the cathedral is an imitation of the Gothic style to make it look like old Christian churches.
Holy Cross Cathedral
Orthodox church, erected in 1866. The history of its appearance is quite interesting - in 1862, the authorities of Geneva presented a plot of land as a gift to the Russian Empire specifically for the construction of an Orthodox church. A large sum of money for the construction of the Cathedral of the Exaltation of the Cross was donated by Alexander II, the rest of the funds were collected in a fairly short time.
Monument to the Duke of Brunswick
Monument-mausoleum dedicated to the exiled German Duke Karl of Braunschweig. He fled from his possessions during the events of the Franco-Prussian War. The aristocrat had no heirs, so he decided to bequeath all his fortune to Geneva, if the authorities erect a worthy monument to him. The authorities agreed, since the duke's wealth was truly impressive. Thanks to the inherited 24 million francs, the city acquired a university building and an opera house.
Mont Blanc bridge
A bridge over the Rhone River, from where you can see a beautiful view of the Jetau fountain, Mont Blanc - the highest point in Western Europe and the island of Rousseau. The structure was completed in 1862. The flags of all Swiss cantons flutter along the edges of the parapets of the bridge. The place is very popular with tourists, as city attractions and famous shops are located nearby.
Botanical Garden of Geneva
The botanical garden is located near the UN office building. It contains a great variety of tropical and Mediterranean plant species. On the territory of the Botanical Garden there are several greenhouses, a small zoo with pink flamingos, a library, ponds, a playground and a cafe. The park covers an area of 12 hectares, and several thousand plants grow in it.
La Grange Park
Country park located on the shores of Lake Geneva in the place where the very first settlements arose. The ruins of an antique villa have been preserved in the park. La Grange is famous for its rose garden, century-old trees and chestnut avenues. The park has many areas for children, as well as special areas for dog owners. Indigenous Geneva people love to spend time in La Grange.
Bastion Park
The park is located on the site of the former city fortifications. After the liberation from the Napoleonic occupation, potatoes were planted in this place, until in 1817 O. de Candol founded the Botanical Garden here. At the beginning of the 20th century, the garden moved to another location, and the Bastion Park acquired its modern look. One of the most significant monuments in the park is the monument to the statesman Ch.P. de Rochemond, at which Switzerland declared eternal neutrality.
Flower clock
The clock is located in the English Park, which is located on the shores of Lake Geneva. The first watches were created in 1903 by the Swiss scientist C. Linnaeus, the second appeared in 1955 in honor of the recognition of Geneva as the world center of chronometer production. The diameter of the dial of the flower clock is 5 meters, the plants are chosen in such a way that the composition blooms throughout the summer.
