SWITZERLAND : GENEVA
Geneva (French: Genève is the second most populous city in Switzerland,
situated where Lake Geneva (French Lac Léman) flows into the Rhône
River, at the foot of the Jura mountains and at the beginning of the
Alps. The city’s beauty and charm, as well as the perfect location in
Europe make it a very popular tourist and business center.
It is the capital of the Canton of Geneva. The population within the
city limits is 185,526 (2004) and that of the city and its suburbs —
which extend into France — is 645,000 (2000). Geneva's international
profile as a global city is mainly due to the presence in the city of
numerous international organisations, including the European
headquarters of the United Nations.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Genève was a safe heaven for protestants
who were being persecuted in their own countries. In 1863 The Red Cross
Organisation was founded here. Since then, the city has become home to
numerous humanitarian organisations, which gave it the nick-name “City
of
Peace”.
Because
of reformers such as John Calvin, Geneva was sometimes called “ the
Protestant Rome”. In the 16th century Geneva was the center of
Calvinism; the St Peter's Cathedral in what is now called the Old Town
was John Calvin's own church. During the time when England was ruled by
Queen Mary I, who persecuted Protestants, a number of Protestant
scholars fled to Geneva. Among these scholars was William Whittingham
who supervised the translation of the Geneva Bible in collaboration with
Miles Coverdale, Christopher Goodman, Anthony Gilby, Thomas Sampson, and
William Cole.
One of the most important events in Geneva's history is l'Escalade
(literally: "the scaling of the wall"). For the people of Geneva,
l'Escalade is the symbol of their independence. It marked the final
attempt in a series of assaults mounted throughout the 16th century by
Savoy, which wanted to annex Geneva as its capital north of the Alps.
This last assault happened on the night of 11-12 December 1602 and is
celebrated yearly in the Old Town with numerous demonstrations and a
parade of horses, cannons and armed men in period costumes.
The Jet d'eau, the world's tallest water fountain, is
Geneva’s most famous monument. It provides a constant landmark for
exploring the city. Geneva's Old Town offers a living glimpse of the
past while more than 30 museums and art galleries show the rich and
vibrant history of the city. Some highlights : the International Red
Cross and Red Crescent Museum and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary
Art (MAMCO). For a change of pace take a cruise on the lake or relax in
one of
Geneva's
man waterfront parks.
Visitor’s should not leave without having visited
Geneva’s famed Market Street
to buy a Swiss watch or just window shop. Being an international
organisations city,
Geneva has a wide range of hotel options to accommodate the visitor’s
stay offering renowned service and easy access to the city’s major
sites.
