The archaeological site is something very different
Disadvantages:
None
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
My hubby and I recently visited Geneva for the weekend. We decided to look at the old town and came across the Cathedral. The hidden gem for us was the archaeological site underneath this lovely old church.
This Cathedral is located in the old town of Geneva. Churches have stood on this site since the 4th century AD. Construction of the Cathedral itself started in 1160 and took over 150 years to complete. It is well-known as one of the churches which supported the reformation during the 1500's and Calvin preached here for many years.
What does it look like from the outside? From the outside, the church has a lovely entrance with marble pillars. Unlike many European Cathedrals, it does not have a Gothic facade. It has two tall steeples, one of which is open to the public.
What does it look like on the inside? The lovely stained glass windows survived the reformation period, however, most of the other ornamentation did not survive.
What is there to see? Inside the church, there is a lovely chapel - the chapel of the Maccabees. We were lucky enough to witness an impromptu a capella performance - the acoustics are superb.
For a small fee it is possible to climb to the top of the tower (157 stairs). The staircase is narrow and winding, however, the view over Lake Geneva and the city is well worth the climb.
The archaeological site Underneath the church is a fantastic archaeological site, with ruins dating back to 100 BC. The site is quite extensive, and contains the remains of several churches. Also to be found is the skeleton of a tribal chief dating back to 100 BC, as well as the skeleton of a horse.
Lovely Roman mosaics from the late Roman Empire are also visible.
The audio guide is excellent, giving a great level of detail about the remains, and is supplemented by audio displays. The audio guide is included in the price of admission.
For a small fee you can buy a combined ticket which allows entry to the Museum of the Reformation, entry to the Tower and to the archaeological site.
If you are claustrophobic, you probably will find the site a little uncomfortable.
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