Saint-Pierre Cathedral Geneva
Overview
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Hint
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Intro
Climb the north tower of the Cathedral of St. Pierre in Geneva and look out over the old town, Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) and the Alps. Under the church floor, an excavation site takes you back to the 4th century.
The Cathedral of St. Pierre at a glance
The Cathedral of St. Pierre is enthroned on the highest point of Geneva's old town. Construction began around 1160 in the Romanesque style and was given Gothic elements in the 13th century. From 1535, Jean Calvin preached here for 23 years and made the church the centre of the Reformation. Admission to the nave is free.
What to experience
Ascent to the North Tower (30 minutes)
Via 157 steps of a narrow spiral staircase you climb to the north tower of the cathedral. At the top, enjoy views of Geneva's Old Town, the lake, the Jet d'Eau and the Alps. On the way, you will pass the impressive bells and the roof truss of the cathedral.
- Good to know: Access to the tower closes 30 minutes before the cathedral closes.
- Tip: With the combo ticket, you can visit the tower and the excavation site.
Archaeological site (30-45 minutes)
Under the cathedral, you will visit one of the largest archaeological sites in Switzerland. On a walking tour, you will see Roman mosaics from the 5th century, remains of early Christian churches and a tomb from Celtic times. Information boards explain the finds.
- Good to know: A separate entrance leads to the excavation site next to the cathedral.
- Tip: Audio guides are available at the entrance in several languages.
General information
| Season |
All year
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|---|---|
| Accessibility |
Partially accessible
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Discover the surroundings
Address
Cathédrale St Pierre
Place Bourg-Saint-Pierre
1204
Genève
Switzerland