Geneva is the capital of Switzerland. Geneva is a city in Switzerland. Communications and Wi-Fi

The capital of the canton is Geneva. The history of Geneva goes back many centuries: already in 120 BC there was a fairly developed city on this site, founded by the Celts - then it was called “Genava”. The place where Geneva is located is somewhat separated from the rest of the country: it is connected to the “rest” of Switzerland by a lake and a narrow strip of land, and on other sides there are territories belonging to France.

Geneva became part of Switzerland in 1814 - after the Congress of Vienna; In honor of this unification, today there is a monument in the city depicting Helvetia (the symbol of Switzerland) and Geneva in the form of two female figures holding weapons. The city is included in the TOP 100 most beautiful cities in the world; In addition, in 2014 it was voted “best city to live.” Almost half of Geneva's population (44%) consists of foreign citizens. Today, Geneva is home to many international organizations: the headquarters of the European branch of the UN, the Red Cross, CERN, the World Health Organization, and the World Trade Organization are located here.

Weather

The climate here is temperate maritime. In winter, the weather in Geneva is mild - most often there are slight frosts at night, and during the day temperatures rise above 0°. Sometimes snow falls during the coldest months. Summer is warm, but not hot. Relative humidity is almost always high - above 80%, but there is little rain; the rainiest time of the year is autumn.

Geneva is located on the coast (another name is Leman), which, due to its amazing beauty, is considered one of the main local beaches. Leman is the second largest freshwater lake in Europe and the largest in. In the waters of the lake there is another famous attraction - which throws out a stream of water with a volume of 500 liters per second. The height of the jet is 140 meters. On the shore of the lake is located, sung by Byron in the poem “The Prisoner of Chillon”.

Geneva has many religious attractions. The main one is (Saint-Pierre), the construction of which began in the 13th century. The main “exhibit” of the cathedral is a chair that belonged to Calvin. Also noteworthy near the Cornavin station are the Russian Church, the Temple of Saint-Gervais and the Temple de la Fusterie.

No less popular, among which the most interesting are, and, as well as, with the famous flower clock, which is a symbol of the city, the concert hall, Calvin College, the Plainpalais cemetery, where many outstanding personalities of the past are buried, including Calvin, the Mont Blanc embankment and the bridge of the same name, Bastion Park, Place de la Madeleine and much more.

The largest number of shops are on the left bank of the Rhone. Grand Rue is home to many art galleries, jewelry and antique shops. Next to it is a shopping district. Boutiques and bookstores are found on Rue de Rhone, Rue de Rive and Rue de Confederation are home to fashionable boutiques and bookstores. On Place Plainpalais there is a flea market on Wednesdays and Saturdays where you can buy antique furniture, books and many other interesting things.

How to get to Geneva?

Geneva airport is called Cointrin; it is located 4 km from the city center. One of its runways is 3900 m long - the longest in the country. The airport serves more than 12 million passengers annually.

How to get to Geneva from the airport? You can take the train - they depart from the railway station at intervals of 10 to 15 minutes and travel from 5 am until almost midnight. The journey takes 5-8 minutes. Trains go only to Geneva Central Station; it will take some time to get to the historical center by tram, bus or on foot. There is also a bus stop near the airport station. The interval in their movement is also 10-15 minutes. You can also take a taxi; The cost of the trip will be about 30 Swiss francs.

Geneva has well-developed public transport, including trams, trolleybuses and buses. All these modes of transport are managed by Transport Publics Genevois. On Friday and Saturday nights, special night buses Noctambus, whose numbers begin with N, travel around the city.

Useful information for tourists about Geneva in Switzerland - geographical location, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Geneva is the most popular cultural center of Switzerland, the administrative center of the canton of the same name, located on the western shore of Lake Geneva - the largest in the country. Lake Geneva fills the depression between two mountain ranges with its waters.

This city, surrounded by picturesque mountains, has its own symbol - a fountain, the rainbow jets of which personify the desire upward, into the sky, into the kingdom of the spirit. Geneva is a true crossroads of human thought and life - a place visited by many great people, starting with Julius Caesar, who founded the border post of the empire on the site of the modern city in 58 BC.

Geneva was part of the Kingdom of Burgundy until 534, then it was conquered by the Franks, and at the end of the 9th century it became the capital of the new Kingdom of Burgundy. From 1290 to 1536, Geneva was ruled by the Dukes of Savoy. It was at this time that the city flourished and trade expanded. Protestantism finds a warm response in the hearts of the Genevans and John Calvin preaches here. Here French Protestants escaped the persecution of King Louis XIV. In the 17th century, Geneva developed rapidly economically and became the world capital of jewelers and watchmakers. In the 18th century, Geneva was associated with the names of Rousseau and Voltaire.

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, Geneva became the seat of the International Red Cross and the League of Nations, and after the Second World War - the UN.

Geneva is one of the largest university centers in Switzerland. The city's reputation as a center for international conventions and conferences is widely known. More than 120 banks and other financial institutions make Geneva the largest center of business and finance.

History and architecture lovers will see many wonderful ancient monuments in Geneva, and magnificent parks are located along Lake Geneva.

The Rhone River cuts Geneva into two parts. On its left bank rises the old city center with the cathedral, town hall, narrow streets with many shops and cafeterias, as well as interesting museums. On the right bank is international Geneva with the UN Palace and buildings of various world-famous organizations.

About thirty museums in Geneva house valuable collections reflecting the cultural development of the city over the centuries, and a visit to the old city with its narrow streets and historic cathedrals will bring a piece of Genevan flavor into your life.

"The smallest of the great capitals", Geneva has a vibrant artistic and cultural life. A lot of concerts, performances and exhibitions follow each other throughout the year. The city is proud of its three conservatories and opera, on the stage of which recognized stars from all over the world perform. The main musical event of the year, the International Music Competition for Performers, brings together many famous musicians from all over the world.

Geneva is incredibly elegant. On the Rue de Rhone and in the surrounding alleys you can find wonderful shops selling products from leading French fashion designers, Italian shoe companies and New York jewelers.

Today, the city of Geneva is the largest center of financial, business and diplomatic activity throughout the world. The headquarters of the most influential international organizations are located here - the UN branch, the Red Cross, the WTO, etc. It is because of this that the city is often called the “Capital of the World”. Also, many public and private banks, financial enterprises and corporations operate on its territory, which causes high interest from foreign investors.

Geneva is considered the most important transport hub in Switzerland. Next to it is one of the country's largest international airports, the city's railway station serves direct flights to Milan and Paris, and the lake port provides connections with other settlements on the coast.

The city has well-developed industries that require special precision and professionalism. These include jewelry, machine tools, precision mechanics, electrical engineering and the watch industry. You can obtain the knowledge necessary for these areas at numerous local universities, colleges and specialized courses.

A little about the history of Geneva

The first settlers on the territory of modern Geneva were representatives of Celtic tribes. Mention of it is found in the treatise where Julius Caesar describes the victory of the legionnaires in 58 BC. During the Roman era, the city was a transshipment point for goods. Since 443, it passed into the possession of the German Burgundian tribe, in 534 - the Franks, and then - the Carolingian Empire. Since the 11th century it has been under the rule of bishops.

Thanks to John Calvin, who promoted his own teaching, Geneva is often called the Protestant Rome. He opposed the Catholic bishop, agitating the local population and provoking a long political struggle for independence. The final chord in the confrontation was Escalade - the battle in 1602. On the night of December 10-11, the Savoyards made their last attempt to capture the city, but they failed. This event is considered a symbol of Geneva's independence and is celebrated annually with costumed parades and demonstrations.

Since the 18th century, the city has undergone rapid development of the social sphere. Jean-Jacques Rousseau begins to spread the idea of ​​human rights from here, Henri Dunant organizes the Red Cross and makes the Swiss coat of arms a symbol of humanity.

Today Geneva is one of the most prosperous cities in the world. It is often said that more rich people live here than unemployed people. Many actors, singers, politicians and successful businessmen gradually choose this city to buy their own house or apartment.

Architectural ensemble and atmosphere of the city

Geneva is divided into two parts by the Rhone River. The left bank is its historical center, of great interest to lovers of history and architecture. The most famous building is St. Peter's Cathedral, which took almost 150 years to build. Initially, the project was created in the Romanesque style, but over time it acquired elements of the Gothic style and a neoclassical facade. Next to it is the Burg de Four square, where you can see traces of ancient cobbled roads.

The right bank of the Rhone is replete with business buildings such as banks, offices and headquarters. There is also a railway station, a city swimming pool, the Palais des Nations and residential skyscrapers built in the 60s.

It is impossible not to note one of the main symbols of Geneva - a unique fountain installed in the waters of Lake Geneva. Its height can reach 140 meters; it is one of the largest and most powerful fountains on the entire planet.

Geneva is considered one of the healthiest cities in the world. This is due to the presence of many parks and the predominance of northern winds. The latter cleanse the atmosphere of various pollutants and bring air to the city filled with the aroma of alpine flowers and greenery. The waterfront of Lake Geneva is dotted with a string of first-class resorts and picturesque parks. Confirmation that the local population tries to live in harmony with nature and loves it is one of the unique attractions - a clock made of flowers. They are located on the Promenade du Lac and have a record-breaking second hand (2.5 m). To create this man-made “miracle of nature”, more than 6,500 bushes of fresh flowers are required annually.

There are many epithets you can come up with for the city - elegant, international, chic and fashionable. However, each of them separately will not be able to fully describe the real Geneva. To understand this, you must definitely visit here, immerse yourself in its atmosphere, go on an excursion through the narrow streets of the historical part, drink a cup of coffee in a cozy restaurant in the business center, try the famous Swiss cheese and chocolate.

Geneva is a city in Switzerland, located in the southwest of the country, is the capital of the canton of the same name. Contrary to popular belief, Geneva is not the capital of Switzerland; the constitution of this country does not contain the concept of a capital. The seat of the Federal authorities is Bern, which is considered the unofficial capital of the Swiss Confederation.

The first mention of Geneva, which was originally called Genava, dates back to the time of Julius Caesar (1st century BC).Like most developed European cities, Geneva periodically changed hands during the Middle Ages. In the 11th century, it became part of the Holy Roman Empire, 200 years later it gained self-government, and in 1526 it entered into a defensive alliance with Zurich and Bern. But at the end of the 18th century, Napoleon Bonaparte made Geneva part of France. And only in 1815, according to the results of the Congress of Vienna, it was finally annexed to Switzerland. In honor of this important historical event, a monument was erected in the city center, where two bronze female figures, Helvetia (the Latin name for Switzerland) and the Republic of Geneva, armed with swords and shields, vigilantly guard the peace of the Confederation.

Lake Geneva - mirror with fountain

Geographically Geneva is “surrounded” by France, and is connected to Switzerland only by a narrow strip of the coast of the lake of the same name. Due to the intricate retreat of glaciers, Lake Geneva has a crescent shape and is the second largest in Central Europe (the first place is occupied by Lake Balaton, located in Hungary). The mighty Alps protect it from cold winds, so the climate here is quite mild; in summer the water warms up to +23 degrees. The maximum depth reaches 310 meters. In the last century, the lake experienced a real environmental disaster, its ecosystem was on the verge of death, and swimming was prohibited in the polluted waters. Thanks to emergency measures taken by the governments of France and Switzerland, these problems were overcome, and now the water of Lake Geneva is crystal clear, which is why it is sometimes called the “huge mirror”. Along the northern coast is the Swiss Riviera - a cluster of fashionable resorts. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful places in Europe.

Leman (another name for Lake Geneva) is located in the floodplain of the Rhone River. Located at the place where the Rhone exits the lake Geneva city. Its hallmark is the famous Jet Deau fountain. Unlike all his brothers, he was born not for decoration, but for the purpose of “production necessity”.

In the second half of the 19th century, the city developed rapidly, the population needed drinking water, and mills and factories needed energy. In 1886, the Coulouvrinier hydraulic factory was built, which successfully solved these problems. But in the evenings and on weekends, when the enterprises were not working, excess water formed in the system, which had to be discharged. This is how the Je-Deau fountain appeared, which was immediately loved by local residents.

It received its name in honor of the highest mountain in Western Europe, the peak of which is clearly visible from it. The bridge itself is a symbol of Swiss unity; flags of all cantons are hung on its sides as a sign of respect for each region of the Confederation.

Geneva - city of refuge

On the left bank of the Rhone in the historical center of Geneva is the Bourg des Fours, where most sightseeing tours begin. The square is built in the shape of a triangle with a fountain in the central part. Archaeologists claim that in the ancient Roman era there was a market where livestock was traded.

During the Reformation, the Bourg de Four served as a refuge for fugitive French Protestants. Now this is a nice corner of a cozy city, where locals and tourists stroll leisurely.

Another architectural monument that reflects history of Geneva, as the savior of exiles - the Molar Tower. Since the 14th century, it was part of the fortress wall that protected the city from enemies, but its doors were always open to those who fled tyranny and religious persecution. Huguenots, comrades of the legendary Garibaldi, and participants in the uprising in Poland found refuge here. That is why a memorial plaque was installed on the Molar Tower, on which a woman is depicted, carefully bending over a tired wanderer, and the inscription is placed: “Geneva is a city of exiles.”

Another outcast, Charles II, Duke of Brunswick, also found shelter here. This gentleman, as soon as he ascended the throne of his estate, managed to quarrel with all his German neighbors and arouse strong antipathy among his subjects. As a result, Brunswick passed to Karl's younger brother, and he himself spent the rest of his life wandering around European capitals.

True, he wandered “richly,” since having lost the throne, he did not lose his huge fortune. At the end of his wanderings, Charles bequeathed 24 million Swiss francs (now almost 1 billion euros) to Geneva, demanding in return the construction of his mausoleum in its center. The townspeople did not really like this idea, but the size of the inheritance was too good.

This is how the Brunswick monument appeared in the city center, where the failed Duke of Brunswick rested.

Geneva - “reformist Rome”

In the 16th-17th centuries, a wave of Reformation swept across Europe. Geneva and Switzerland also did not escape this fate. The Catholic Church, due to the excesses and ignorance of the priests, was losing its influence, and Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” became widespread.

In Geneva, the main ideologist of Protestantism was the Frenchman John Calvin, who believed that a person cannot change his own destiny, but must believe that he belongs to the “elect”. This means that he should be hardworking and energetic in order to achieve success in earthly life.

John Calvin founded the University of Geneva, where at first only theology was taught. It was on its territory that the Reformation Wall was erected in 1909, as a tribute to the memory of that difficult era.

The main figures of the composition are Calvin, Farel, Knox and Bez, who turned Geneva into “reformed Rome”.

Geneva is Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox

St. Peter's Cathedral was founded in 1160, construction lasted more than 150 years, and the architectural concept was changed several times. Therefore, its appearance contains a mixture of Romanesque style with elements of Gothic, classicism and baroque. Until 1535, Saint-Pierre was a Catholic church, but after the victory of the reformers it became Protestant, which it is to this day.

The Basilica of Notre Dame, the cathedral of the Geneva diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, was built in the mid-19th century in a fairly short time - only 5 years. This construction took place only because the city decided to donate part of its land to representatives of religious “minorities.” This is how a Catholic church, built in the neo-Gothic style, appeared in Geneva. The building material for Notre Dame was sandstone, so the cathedral building stands out from others built of brick and stone. Its interior is decorated with bas-reliefs and stained glass windows, and the main shrine is a sculpture of the Virgin Mary, donated to the temple by Pope Pius X.

To the list of what to see in Geneva tourists who visited it advise, the famous flower clock, which is located in the English Park, is also included.

Their main feature is that the time on the 5-meter dial, along with the hands, is shown by plants that bloom in turn during the day, according to their biorhythms. The flower beds are renewed every night by florists, and the work of the underground mechanism is vigilantly monitored by Swiss watchmakers.

The flower clock, the Jet Deau fountain, cozy streets - everything in Geneva breathes a special, peaceful calm, and this harmony is not disturbed even by the Large Hadron Collider, located very close by.

(Genève, Genf) - the main city of the Swiss canton of the same name; 408 m above sea level, at the southwestern end of Lake Geneva, at the source of the Rhone. Together with Basel, it is the richest, most populous and beautiful city in Switzerland. 52,638 inhabitants (1888), and together with the suburbs of Eauxvives and Plainpalais - 72,779 inhabitants, of whom about 31,000 Catholics, 40,000 Protestants; 14% speak German, 81% speak French; almost half of the residents are foreigners. On the left bank is the Old City, the old part is at the top, the newer shopping quarter is at the bottom; there is an island on the river, with several streets, on the right bank - the St. Gervais quarter, an industrial center and the residence of foreigners. New neighborhoods are growing on the site of fortifications demolished in 1851. There are many boulevards, public gardens and squares. St. Peter's Cathedral of the 11th century, the town hall of the 16th century, the Gothic church of St. Gervais of the 15th century, a university with a natural history museum and a public library (120,000 volumes and 1,500 manuscripts), an observatory, Athenaeum with a permanent art exhibition and an industrial museum , the Foll Museum with antiques and the Roth Museum with art collections, a theater, a botanical garden, a monument to General Dufour. The main production is watches (there is a school), worth 20 million francs, and precious things, worth 14 million. Switzerland trades with the Mediterranean coast through J. J. is also an important market for extractive industry products. The harbor is quite lively. The wonderful location near the lake and the mild climate (average annual temperature 9.7°C) attract a lot of foreigners. The university (until 1875 - an academy founded in the 16th century by Calvin) is proud of the names of Decandolle, Saussure, Cherbullier, K. Vogt, Pictet, etc. In 1891-1892. it had 536 students (89 women) and 200 listeners (59 women). Of the first - 347 foreigners (87 women). The largest number of students at the Faculty of Medicine is 223; in philosophical - 188, in legal - 86, in theological - 39. Luthar, landscape painters Dide, Kalam, Castan are famous in the Geneva school of painting. J.'s mental life is very lively; numerous scientific and artistic societies. The city is the oldest in Switzerland; in 58 BC it already existed and was strengthened by Caesar.

See Rey, "G. et les rives du lac Leman."

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"Geneva is a city in Switzerland" in books

XII. Geneva

XII. Geneva In a strategic sense, the trip to Neuchâtel was a reconnaissance mission. Balzac probed the area and became convinced that it was extremely favorable for a decisive attack. To prepare for the assault and force the fortress to capitulate, a perspicacious strategist is forced

Geneva