St. Pierre Cathedral, Geneva

St. Pierre Cathedral, Geneva

The Saint Pierre Cathedral in Geneva is the main Protestant church in the city, best known for its association with Reformation leader John Calvin.

The Saint Pierre Cathedral in Geneva is the main Protestant church in the city, best known for its association with Reformation leader John Calvin. Established as far back as the 4th century as a Catholic church initially, the present building is from the 11th-12th century. Originally started in Romanesque style, it was completed later in Gothic style, and has a Neo-Classical main facade by Benedetto Alfieri from the 18th century.

With the advent of Protestantism in the 16th century, the ornamentation of the interiors was destroyed, sparing only the stained-glass windows, pulpit and some other pieces of furniture. Of note are the Romanesque and Gothic capitals of the columns lining the nave. Side aisles contain the tombstones of church dignitaries from 15th - 16th centuries. John Calvin's wooden chair has been preserved from the 16th century. Konrad Witz's altarpiece with the 'Miraculous Draught of Fishes' is now in the Museum of Art and History. The Rohan Chapel contains the tomb of French Protestant leader Duc Henri de Rohan. The Chapel of the Maccabees was transformed into a warehouse during the Reformation and then used as classrooms till its restoration in the 19th century. Now in Neo-Gothic style, it has frescoes of musician angels, stained-glass windows depicting the four evangelists, the Holy Supper and the Samaritan woman, and elements representing the Reformation's political aspect such as escutcheons of the cantons of Combourg and heraldic symbols of Geneva.

Climb up the north tower for beautiful views over Geneva. Beneath the cathedral is an archaeological site with Roman mosaics, an Allobrogian tomb, Early Christian churches, and a medieval crypt. Explore the ancient ruins to learn more about Geneva's past.