Geneva parks
Description:
It so happened for centuries that the main attractions of Geneva are concentrated in luxurious gardens and parks covering an area of more than 300 hectares. One of the most famous English gardens was laid out on the shores of Lake Geneva in the XIX century. Its main highlight – a huge flower clock – is also one of the most recognizable symbols of Geneva, which embodied the aesthetics and centuries-old traditions of Swiss watchmakers.
With a diameter of 5 meters, the dial is lined with 6500 live flowers that bloom throughout the summer, changing the color palette of the clock every month and leading to the complete delight of numerous guests of the city. Not far from the famous dial is a fountain, which was built in the XIX century in honor of the anniversary of the accession of Geneva to the Swiss Confederation. Stretching along the shores of the lake boulevards decorate almost 40 thousand rose bushes.
On the left bank is La Grange Park with the famous rose garden, laid on the occasion of the International Rose Exhibition, regularly held in Geneva from 1948 to the present day. On the right bank of the lake are parks Monrepo, Pearl du Lac, Arianne, Barton and located a few hundred meters from the building of the European office of the UN Geneva Botanical Garden, tropical greenhouses which have become one of the main attractions of Geneva. The Botanical Garden is a real open-air museum, where vegetation from all over the world is presented - mountain, tropical and Mediterranean flora, collections of coniferous and broadleaf trees, many flowers. Among all this splendor and riot of colors, a unique greenhouse in the form of the Capitol, a park with deer and pink flamingos, enclosures, ponds, as well as outdoor cafeterias and small shops with interesting souvenirs stand out.
Barton Park is also located on the site of former medieval fortifications, and its main pride is the impressive Reformation Wall, along which are statues of the four founders of the international reform movement - Jean Calvin, Theodore de Beze, John Knox and Guillaume Farel. The wall is generously decorated with reliefs from the history of the Reformation. The Clock Museum exhibits a completely unique exposition dedicated to the development of watchmaking in Switzerland, and opened in 1984 the Museum of the Old Town, located in one of the oldest buildings in Geneva, built in 1303 - in the "House of Tavel".
Among the exposition of the Geneva Museum of the Old Town stands out the model of Geneva of 1850 made with amazing accuracy. If desired, you can also look at the Geneva Bolshoi Theatre, which is very reminiscent of the Paris Opera. The panorama of the Old Town is dominated by the majestic Romanesque Cathedral of Saint-Pierre, from the north tower of which an amazing panorama opens - the whole city is visible as in the palm of your hand. And especially one of the most significant attractions of Geneva is a huge 140-meter fountain that beats from the bottom of Lake Geneva. This highest fountain in Europe can be seen from any less elevated point in the city. One of the islets of Lake Geneva bears the name of the famous philosopher and native of this city - Jean Jacques Rousseau, who had a significant influence on public thinking and literature in many countries of the world. Locals and guests of the city are big fans of various festivals and entertainment, which in themselves are one of the most impressive sights of Geneva.
In March, for example, the International Geneva Motor Show opens, which attracts car lovers from all over the world. On June 1, the city celebrates the anniversary of joining the Swiss Confederation, and a few days later on the water surface of Lake Geneva there are bright competitions of more than 500 yachts. For a week, the city celebrates the Rose Festival. In August, the lake hosts a colorful parade of ships decorated with flowers and the famous Geneva Festival - the largest festive event for both the city and the entire canton. The festival attracts at least one million guests every year. Whatever you prefer - techno, popular dance music, rock or classical music concerts (as well as comedies, variety shows from around the world, fashion shows, street entertainment, children's events) - all this you will find in the vicinity of the beautiful harbor of Lake Geneva.