GENEVA
Geneva is a city that is very well situated between mountains and
hills on both sides of the Rhone river and in the southeast end
of Lake Geneva, the largest in Switzerland. It is a cosmopolitan
city, a major financial center and it houses the headquarters of
most international organizations. In Geneva the important Geneva
Convention (1864) was signed and the Red Cross and the League of
Nations (forerunner of the UN) were founded.
In the Rive Gauche (left bank) of the river is the old town,
which extends around the lively Bourg-de-Four square, the oldest
of Geneva. Nearby there is the Hotel de Ville (City Hall), a building
of XV century and next to it, the old arsenal and the Maison Tavel,
XII century, the oldest house in Geneva, nowadays a museum. The
Cathédrale St-Pierre, in the Gothic style, was built during
the XII and XIII centuries, but in XVIII century a neoclassical
facade was added. It is possible to go up to the top of the tower
and enjoy a very good view of the city. Geneva also has a large
number of museums.
To the south of the old town, near the lake, there is the Jardin
Anglais, famous for its floral clock and the Jet d'Eau an impressive
fountain (in the lake) whose jet reaches 140 meters.
On the Rive Droite (right bank) there is the international district,
centered on the Place des Nations, which are close to most international
locations. Worth the Musée International de la Croix-Rouge.
There also is in this area the Palais des Nations (UN headquarters)
and a large botanical garden.