Geneva

The centrepiece of the Vieille Ville, the historic old town on the left bank of the Rhône, is the Place... du Bourg-de-Four, where the Roman forum once stood. Old houses on whose façades the old pub signs have sometimes been left flank the picturesque square on which markets were held in the Middle Ages. The Cathédrale St-Pierre, the oldest parts of which date back to the 12th century, flanks the northern side; inside you can still see the stall used by the great church reformer Calvin. Antique shops, art dealers and original small shops around the fountain, decorated with flowers, attract visitors to stroll around and browse. The cosy cafés and bars around the square are popular meeting points and the terraces are the best place to watch the lively goings-on in the alleyways. more

Spread over 2,000 m2 (21,500 sq ft), the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum tells the history... of the humanitarian organisation founded in 1863. It is located right next to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The foundation stone was laid in 1985 by Nancy Reagan and Raisa Gorbachev and the museum was inaugurated in 1988. Over 80,000 people a year visit the museum, the overwhelming majority of them under 26. The main area of the house is occupied by the permanent exhibition with photos, documentaries and other exhibits spread over eleven rooms. One room is dedicated to the Battle of Solferino in 1859 after which Henry Dunant founded the Red Cross. Another area covers the commitment of Henry Dunant and others under the title "Preserving life through personal dedication". World War One is also covered in great detail in two rooms. The area added most recently deals with the function the Red Cross has today. Special exhibitions look into current events and operations such as in Afghanistan or Iraq. more

This magnificent monument on the Quai de Mont-Blanc was donated by the City of Geneva in 1873 to Duke... Karl II of Brunswick who bequeathed his entire fortune to the city. In return for his mainly diamond-based fortune, a replica of the Scaligeri Tomb in Verona from the 14th century was to be dedicated to him at a worthy location regardless of the cost. His monument was erected directly on Lake Geneva in front of the Hotel de la Paix. Karl II came to the throne of the Dukedom of Brunswick in 1823 at 19 years old and was a stubborn ruler with a passion for splendour. As early as 1832 the eccentric had to be exiled due to corruption and his unfitness to govern. After periods in London and Paris, Karl II, who already suffered from paranoia, lived in Geneva until his death in 1873. He was able to invest and increase the family's assets but remained childless. more