Switzerland ... It is unlikely that there will be those among tourists who, after exploring this amazing country, will be able to remain indifferent to its sights, beautiful landscapes, dotted with hundreds of mountain chateau and will not kindly envy the happy and well-fed Swiss!
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Today we are going to make a fascinating excursion to the most interesting and significant sights of Geneva. Get your cameras ready, because you don't have to close their lenses for a minute!
Chocolatier du Rhone confectionery
Oddly enough, but we have to start our journey around Geneva with an acquaintance with the Chocolatier du Rhone confectionery, whose products have won the hearts of millions of bittersweet connoisseurs around the world. Rumor has it that among the admirers of the confectionery were even the first people of states, for example, Kennedy, Charles de Gaulle and Churchill.
The first batch of chocolate was released back in 1875, and since then the demand for this type of product in Switzerland has never decreased. According to statistics, every local inhabitant eats on average over 700 kg of chocolate during his life! And to try out the entire assortment presented at the factory today, a person will need at least 70 years!
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Fustery Cathedral
This temple complex was built in 1715 especially for the Protestant believers. It was in Switzerland that they found refuge from the Catholics who persecuted them. The author of the project was Jean Venn, a Frenchman.
The main difference between the temple and all other similar buildings in the city was its excellent acoustics, which allowed all participants in the service to clearly hear every word of the preacher. Nowadays, the complex has lost its former significance and is used for concerts and city celebrations.
The old tower and the Molar square
The old tower on the Molar Square can also tell about the special significance of Geneva. If today there are countless boutiques and restaurants, from the windows of which a beautiful view of the bay opens, then several centuries ago the square played the role of a port. Massive walls were erected along the perimeter, which played a protective role against the attacks of numerous enemies.
The only mention of that distant time is the preserved Molar tower, on the wall of which there is a historical coat of arms depicting a woman bending over a traveler, and an inscription revealing the entire historical essence of Geneva, calling this place a city for exiles.
As for the square itself, it can be confidently called one of the most romantic places in the city. But it appears in all its glory only with the onset of dusk. It is in the evening that the square is illuminated by thousands of lanterns decorated with greetings in different languages of the world. After reconstruction in 2002, the boulevard has become a favorite place for meetings, walks and romantic dates.
Reformation Museum
The collection gathered in the galleries of the museum allows you to learn about the Protestant history of Geneva. A huge collection of unique letters and documents revealing the secret sides of the long-standing confrontation between the Catholic world and Protestants, methods of struggle and even revelations of the leaders of European states - these are just a small fraction of what is collected in the halls of the Reformation Museum.
For the convenience of visitors, the creators of the museum have provided the possibility of using an audio guide, which will reveal many interesting and until recently unknown facts. Well, the gallery owes its name to the house of Malle, which is part of the exhibition. It was built on the site of St. Peter's Cathedral (where in 1536 the inhabitants accepted the Reformation).
Church of St. Peter
One of the main attractions of the city is St. Peter's Cathedral, the first stone of which was laid back in 1160. The construction lasted for a century and a half, which left its mark on the appearance of the complex - in its architectural image, a combination of the Romanic and Gothic styles is clearly visible. And the buildings that supplemented the complex several centuries later are distinguished by classical and neoclassical European styles.
Boulevard Bourg-de-Four
It is here, like many centuries ago, that the Swiss conduct business negotiations, sign contracts and arrange gatherings. The place was not chosen by chance, because there was an intersection of ancient roads, numerous markets (organized by the Romans), and Protestants who fled from persecution gathered here.
Tourists will be able to enjoy several ancient buildings of the 16-18 centuries, an unusual fountain and a cobbled pavement sparkling in the rays of the sun. There is also a man-made landmark - a 120-meter wooden bench, which can easily claim to be the longest in the world.
Arsenal
A city tour will not be complete without an acquaintance with the old arsenal, which has repeatedly changed its appearance and purpose over the centuries. There was a grain storage hangar and a police station in the building. Until our time, as a colorful mention of wars, several cannons of the 17-18 centuries have survived, which played the role of the main restraining redoubt.
The wall behind the cannons is decorated with three paintings that are dedicated to the main historical events: a visit to the city of Caesar, a meeting of the exiled Huguenots and a city fair of the Middle Ages.
Famous houses
Several famous households should be included in the list of must-see attractions. So, the oldest house in Geneva is the Travel house, which appeared in 1303. In 1963, it received the status of a museum and underwent a large-scale restoration. It is this building that is a real artifact of ancient Geneva.
In order to interest visitors, ancient exhibits, toys, objects and furniture samples were collected and exhibited in the building. All this was done by the hands of ordinary citizens and for several decades it has been intended to tell the fascinating and rich in historical events history of the city.
Do not pass by the home ownership of the Frenchman Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who is the author of the idea of direct democracy. It is this form of government that is used in Switzerland to this day.
University of Geneva
The famous University of Geneva deserves special attention, as many talented political and public figures and successful businessmen have emerged from its doors. It was founded in 1559 and initially played the role of a theological seminary.
Nowadays, up to 15 thousand students are trained at the educational institution, who in the future will take their places in the legal, psychological, medical, economic field.
Theater, museum, conservatory
For cultural entertainment and education, you should go to the Geneva Conservatory, Victoria Hall, the Rath Theater and Museum. Within the walls of the conservatory, various directions of modern and early music are combined, professional musicians are trained.
In the Victoria Hall concert hall, you can enjoy brilliant works performed by the best musicians of our time. Well, the Bolshoi Theater opens its doors wide to all lovers of stage acting. It was created in 1879, but for a long time it had a dubious reputation and was attacked by Protestants.
After a global reconstruction in 1951, the hall can accommodate up to one and a half thousand spectators at a time.As soon as you get inside, the main decorations of the interior - a huge chandelier under the dome, as well as a mirrored hall - immediately rush into your eyes.
You can end the day excursion in the halls of the Rat Art Gallery, in the halls of which interesting works of famous and just beginning artists are collected, as well as exhibition evenings.
There are many other historical sites in Geneva that should be given special attention. It is very difficult to get to know the city and its history on a one-day excursion!
