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Geneva City Guide Geneva: Jet d'eau

Sightseeing / Landmarks

Modern Architecture

Rue de Jargonnant

Modern Art

Henri Moore: Reglining Figure Arch Leg (1973)

Antoine Poncet: La flamboyante (1980)

Multicultural Geneva

Eglise Russe (Russian Church) just one example of a community of immigrants

Monument National (Jardin Anglais) symbolizes the four national language regions of Switzerland

Medieval Cathedral

Cathedral St. Pierre

Painted window in side chapel

Concerts

• Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
  (Geneva/Lausanne)

Theatre / Opera

• Grand Théâtre de Genève/Geneva Opera

Museums

Local History

• First written records tell of Genava as the capital of a celtic tribe
• When Cesar conquers Gallia [France]
• Around A.D. 400, Geneva becomes seat of a bishop.
• During the migration of nations, the germanic Burgundians settle in western (today French speaking) Switzerland and in southeastern France (today known as Burgundy). Their first capital is Geneva (A.D. 443 - 461). The Burgundians assimilate to the gallo-roman culture.
• In 534 Geneva is conquered by the germanic Franc who had settled in the region of Paris during the migration of nations and are extending their influence over France, Germany and Switzerland in the 6th century.
• The empire of the Francs reaches its summit under emperor Charlemagne (crowned in A.D. 800). His sons divide the empire in three parts, in 887 a new kingdom of Burgundy is established. Geneva is no longer the center of this kingdom, however.
• For some centuries the counts and the bishops of Geneva are rivaling over predominance in the city.
• From the 13th century on, the dukes of Savoy become increasingly involved in the Lake Geneva region, in 1358 the count of Geneva becomes a vasall of Savoy. For some time, Savoy seems to be the only power able to guarantee safety and stability in the region.
• In 1519 a fraction among the citizens of Geneva wants to become less dependant of Savoy and negotiates a pact with the Swiss cities of Fribourg and Bern. But Savoy occupies the city with troops.
• Only seven years later, a new pact is made, and in 1530 the Swiss help to lift a siege by Savoyan troops. A city council gains many political rights in Geneva. The city becomes an associated member of the Swiss confederacy.
• The reformation of Geneva is first the work of Guillaume Farel. Like Calvin, Farel is a French preacher exiled by the French authorities. Farel works with explicit support by Bern, but he is not too convincing. When Jean Calvin comes to Geneva in 1536, he is already famous for his book "Christianae religionis institutio". Calvin consolidates the church reform. The majority of citizens is not really convinced of Calvin's strict principles of morality and church order, but under political pressure from Bern the church reform becomes a political confession against the bishop and the duke of Savoy.
• In 1602 the duke of Savoy makes a last effort to reestablish his control over the city, but fails.
• Jean Jacques Rousseau, born 1712 in Geneva, is one of the most influential philosophers of the age of enlightment. He grows up and is educated in Geneva, but spends most of the rest of his life in France, where he dies in 1778.
• During the Napoleonian wars, Geneva and some other strategic parts of western Switzerland are annexed to France.
• In 1815 Geneva becomes a full member of the Swiss confederation.
• Geneva born Guillaume Henri Dufour advocates that the white cross on red background is not only used as a seal, but also as a national Swiss flag replacing cantonal banners in the army (1840). When conservative partisans try to block political progress by military force in 1847, Henri Dufour is elected general and terminates a civil war within a few days and very few losses on both sides thanks to his decided but sober strategy. Switzerland's 1848 federal constitution is based on this event. Dufour is also a pioneer in producing precise maps, Switzerland's highest mountain peak (Dufourspitze, ) is named after him.
• In 1859, Henri Dunant, a merchant from Geneva, is shocked when he learnes about the fate of wounded soldiers in the battle of Solferino (Austrian-French war). In 1862 he writes a book in 1864 the Swiss government organizes an international conference on humanitarian aspects during war. 12 nations sign the Geneva conventions and establish the International Committee of the Red Cross as a permanent, neutral institution to take care of military and civil persons wounded or imprisoned in war. General Dufour is one of the early supporters and proposes the red cross symbol.
• University founded in 1873
• For a broader context see also: History of the Lake Geneva region

Famous People

John Calvin church reformer

Jean-Jacques Rousseau philosopher, writer monument: Ile Rousseau

Guillaume Henri Dufour general, pioneer cartographer co-founder of the Red Cross

Henri Dunant merchant, founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross

Local Traditions

• Escalade: Annual commemoration of the triumph over the dukes of Savoy in 1602. Two watchful and courageous ladies, Mère Royaume [Mother Kingdom] and Dame Piaget [Lady Piaget] are remembered as the heroines, having discovered and pushed back the attackers. The Compagnie de 1602 is organising the event since 1926.

Events

• monthly guide

Geneva Tourist Office

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