CATHÉDRALE SAINT-PIERRE (SAINT PETER'S CATHEDRAL)

The cathedral of the city of Geneva is dedicated to Saint Peter, whose relics it was supposed to house in the ^11th century. The construction of the building began in 1160 and continued until 1250 in a Romanesque-Gothic style. It was modified many times over the centuries. In the ^16th century, the building underwent major changes: the interior lost most of its furniture, statues, paintings, altar and numerous decorations. Mass was abolished in August 1585. It is the period of the Reformation when the cathedral became a Protestant place of worship. Iconoclasm was practiced and all religious images were destroyed. Only the stained glass windows were spared. You can discover Calvin's chair, the polychrome sculpted choir stalls (mid ^15th century), more than 300 sculpted capitals from different periods (the largest concentration of capitals in Switzerland), a mausoleum where the Duke of Rohan, leader of the French Protestants under Henry IV, is buried. The most courageous can climb the 157 steps leading to the top of the north tower to admire the panorama and the bell. The archaeological site shows the richness of the place. At the corner of the rue de l'Évêché, the hotel of the banker Gédéon Mallet, built in 1721 and today an international museum of the Reformation, is worth a visit. The cathedral is registered on the list of the European Heritage Label.

The gothic tower offers a uniqueview of Geneva, the lake and the Salève. It is well worth the climb up the steps leading to the viewpoint. Price 5 CHF.

Archaeological site: under the cathedral, you will discover the early Christian Geneva with the remains of Allobroge tombs and the stones of a first place of worship dating from the ^4th century.

The Maccabees Chapel, on the south side of the cathedral, contrasts with the rest of the cathedral in its decoration. Built in 1405 in pure flamboyant gothic style, it shines with gilding! It underwent many architectural changes during the Reformation. It recovered its ornaments in the ^19th century.

The cathedral has three majestic organs , including the Great Metzler Organ built in 1907. It was a pneumatically driven organ. Organ concerts are organized by the Cathedral Concert Foundation. Some concerts can also take place in the Maccabees Chapel. Organ concerts are held weekly on Friday evenings, Saturdays and/or Sundays. See https://concerts-cathedrale.ch/prochains-concerts. Ticket office: Service culturel Migros Balexert.