I'm a bit behind (as usual) on my vacation posting. At the end of May we spent the holiday weekend in Geneva, Switzerland. A very nice city - modern, international, home of the United Nations and some amazing food. It was also one of the most expensive cities we've visited. Here are a few highlights of the city itself.
I think the structure below was a mosque. And have a look at the trees - it's a special kind of pruning they do to ensure the trees don't get too wide and leafy. I've seen a few like this in Bristol as well.
This is the iconic Jet D'Eau (water jet) that is one of the tourist symbols for Geneva. It was originally installed as a safety value for a hydraulic system, but is now just a tourist attraction. It runs during the day all year round, except in really strong wind or frost and operates at night in the summer months.
This is a memorial to someone, but I can't remember who (I know, how's that for an attentive tourist?)
Yep, that's a segway. Scheduled another segway tour - if you follow the blog, you know how much we love those segways!
This is an ancient arsenal built in the 17th century originally as a granary and then used as a military storehouse. There are 5 cannons on display that were used throughout the 17th and 18th century. The murals on the walls depict some of the highlights of Geneva's history.
The tree above is used to announce the first day of spring in Geneva. (kind of like our Groundhog day, I guess). Each year, the city declares the start of spring when they see the first leaf on this tree.
Random park with life-sized checkers and chess.
A nod to the Calvinist and Methodist history of Geneva. We visited one church (couldn't take photos) that had been built by the Roman Catholics (gilt, pomp, ornate) and then taken over by Calvin. What an interesting contrast - huge, cathedral but no decorations at all - just a very simple alter with a bible on it.
A cut little fountain in the middle of 'old town'. Where the town used to gather to get fresh water, gossip, etc.
I think the structure below was a mosque. And have a look at the trees - it's a special kind of pruning they do to ensure the trees don't get too wide and leafy. I've seen a few like this in Bristol as well.
This is a memorial to someone, but I can't remember who (I know, how's that for an attentive tourist?)
Yep, that's a segway. Scheduled another segway tour - if you follow the blog, you know how much we love those segways!
This is an ancient arsenal built in the 17th century originally as a granary and then used as a military storehouse. There are 5 cannons on display that were used throughout the 17th and 18th century. The murals on the walls depict some of the highlights of Geneva's history.
Random park with life-sized checkers and chess.
A nod to the Calvinist and Methodist history of Geneva. We visited one church (couldn't take photos) that had been built by the Roman Catholics (gilt, pomp, ornate) and then taken over by Calvin. What an interesting contrast - huge, cathedral but no decorations at all - just a very simple alter with a bible on it.
A cut little fountain in the middle of 'old town'. Where the town used to gather to get fresh water, gossip, etc.
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