(Note, this was transcribed from the notes I took while visiting Geneva on my 1997 trip. Therefore it is not completely coherent.) Geneva is located on the south western tip of lake Geneva (Lake Leman in French). It has a very pleasant location on the western edge of the Alps. On a clear day, it offers exceptional views of the French Alps across the lake as well as the lake itself. Geneva is one of the oldest cities in the Swiss Confederation. Before joining the Swiss Confederation, Geneva was a very powerful and rich city state, that boasted many fine jewelers and artisans.
The old town is located on a hill above the Rhone River. Elegant mansions are crammed into the narrow streets of this section of town. All of them are of stone and were built after 1334. (In 1334, a fire destroyed much of the old city). The photos in this section of the gallery are of the old town.
The site of the cathedral (St. Peters) Dates back to the fourth century A.D. although the current cathedral was constructed from the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries. This Cathedral was "commandeered" when John Calvin decided that the Catholic church was corrupt and formed his own church, the Calivns.
Surrounding the cathedral is "Old Geneva". This is the oldest part of the city. At one time old Geneva was was protected by a great city wall, that can still be seen in some parts of the city. A "ring road" can be found surrounding the parts of where the wall was torn town.
No doubt, Geneva was at one time a Roman settlement on the road through the alps into what is now France. Over time the settlement grew and expanded. Being in a prime location, on Lake Geneva high in the alps protected from Barbarians, the city grew and survived the fall of the Roman empire.
This city has housed or has been the birthplace of many important political, and literary figures. The Red Cross was founded in the city, in the Alabama room. The Alabama got its name for a famous trial that marked Geneva as the city where international arbitration could be held. The greater city houses parts of the. United Nation and was home to the ill fated League of Nations
As for the greater Canton of Geneva the CERN nuclear laboratories are located with in this canton. It was at these labs that the World Wide Web was developed.
I hope you enjoy the photos. Any comments, please E-mail me, .
| St. Peters Photos | ||
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All photos by John L. Polos
Copyright September 13, 2005. Also Copyright October 27, 1997
 Fountain Near Waterfront |
 Russian Orthodox Church |
 Mausolée de Duc de Brunswick |
 Lakefront |
 Near the Museum |
 Artistic Bull |
 The Museum |
 Rue de Rive(shops!!!) |
 Fountain in old quarter |
| Laussanne and Zurich both had their share of trendy shops. However, Geneva too, has a trendy shopping street near the old town on Rue de Rive. The fountain is also in the old quarter. It has 3 cafes next to it in a nice square (Good for people watching!). | ||
 Same Fountain, 7 years earlier |
 Across from Hotel de Ville |
 Sun Dial |
 Hotel de Ville (City Hall) |
 Antique Book Shop |
 Another Fountain |
 Entrance above city wall |
 Rue de Rive |
 Clock Tower near Rue de Rive |
 Lakefront on a clear day |
 The Fountain |
 Old Geneva |
| The fountain (above) is one of the symbols of the city. It runs from April to October, shooting a constant stream of water 50 feet into the air. | This cannon(below) is in a little cloister under the hall of records. It was said to have defended the city at one time. of interest though are the murals in the back which depict important events for the city. | |
 Oldest "House" of Geneva |
 The World |
 City Hall |
| The "house" on the left is said to be the oldest house in Geneva, dating back to the early days of the city. It is more like a small castle if you ask me. It has been converted into an art gallery. The globe (center) in the pond was donated by the United States to the League of Nations. Its cost, thirty thousand dollars (in the 1920's) On the right is part of the city offices. A horse drawn buggy is said to be able to make its way up this ramp. Somehow I don't think so. I've included it because I like the design. To the right of that photo was the Virginia Room. It was in this room the International Red Cross was founded. | ||
 Unknown Building |
 Eagle of Geneva |
 Cannon & Mural |
 League of Nations |
 Part of UN |
 Flag of Canton of Geneva |
After world war I, an organization was set up to regulate peaceful relations in Europe and the world. It was called the league of nations and it had much of the same principals as the U.N. does today. The League of Nations building was completed just prior to the start of world war II. The league of nations had no real power though. The U.S. refused to join (Even though it was Willson's brainchild) and other countries such as Germany made a mockery of it. Though it existed through out the war it had no real power and nothing came of it. After the war it was disbanded, and the U.N. was set up to take its place, though with more power and more of a purpose to accomplish. |