The international city
The canton of Geneva has the town of the same name as its capital. It is called political municipality and is the second largest city in Switzerland after Zurich. However, Geneva is the seat of many international organizations such as UN, CERN, ICRC, WHO, ILO, ISO, UNHCR and WMO.
Geneva’s history
Geneva has always been a capital or a hub. In the Celtic times, for example, the capital of the Allobrogians was here. In the Roman Empire, Geneva was used as a bridgehead.
The Burgundian kings had their seat in Geneva in the fifth and ninth centuries. Later, in 1026, Geneva was part of the Burgundian part of the Holy Roman Empire. With the proclamation of the independent Geneva Republic and the Reformation in 1536, Geneva became more independent. Johannes founded Calvin as early as 1559 the Geneva Academy, which is now the University of Geneva.
A representative democratic constitution was adopted in Geneva in 1781. From April 15, 1798, Geneva was annexed to France by 1813 and then liberated from Austria. Just one year after the liberation by Austria in 1814, Geneva finally became Swiss and at the same time the capital of the single-eyed canton of Geneva. Soon afterwards, international interest in Geneva also increased. In 1864 Geneva was appointed as the seat of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Sad and at the same time dramatic scenes occurred on November 9, 1932. In Geneva there was a real massacre that day, known as the The Blood Night of Geneva went down in history. 13 anti-fascist demonstrators were shot dead by soldiers and 60 were seriously injured.
It is more solemn on December 12th. Every year Geneva celebrates a failed conquest by Savoy with the so-called Escalade de Genève. They wanted to take over Geneva in 1602, but they did not succeed. Since then, this day has been celebrated every year.
As a city republic, Geneva was in a position to mint its own coins as a means of payment. This also happened here until 1850. The currency was called sols and was divided into centimes. Francs were later coined because of the French influence.
Colorful Geneva
Geneva is recognized internationally and nationally as a convention center. A wide variety of congresses and trade fairs take place here. Geneva has also made a name for itself as a financial and trade center. The residents and visitors of the city of Geneva affectionately call it “The smallest metropolis in the world”. This is an accurate description. Because Geneva really has it all. From museums, culture, art and the unusual to numbers and data in banking.
The landmark of Geneva, the 140 meter high fountain, is particularly worth seeing. His name: Jet d’Eau. It is located in Lake Geneva. In addition, Lake Geneva is also the largest lake in Switzerland. in the The birthplace of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, visitors discover the life and work of the person Rousseau. The League of Nations Palace and the beautiful Grand Theater, along with the Orchester de la Suisse, are also absolutely worth seeing.
Those who love museums will get their money’s worth in Geneva. In addition to the international Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Telephone Museum show their impressive exhibitions.
For nature lovers, the botanical garden is the right place to relax, unwind and enjoy.
