Geneva

A great number of International Organizations, among which the U.N. is the most famous, have their head quarters in Geneva, making it to the Capital of Peace.
With its over 40 museums its numerous art galleries as well as its theatres and its opera where famous international artists perform, Geneva is also an important cultural centre.

The Traveller, who discovers Geneva for the first time, will certainly be fascinated by the Jet d'Eau, the water-fountain in the lake. This is a 140 meters high water monument, sort of an exclamation mark dominating the roadstead. A white column, constantly moving, mounting rapidly into the sky and then falling down again in millions of drops as a curtain with thousands of constantly renewed folds.

The Jet d'Eau of Geneva has a rich history. Originally it was the safety valve for a hydraulic plant, at the time when electricity was still a laboratory curiosity. Today it works through motor-driven pumps and its capacity is 500 litres per second. It works from the beginning of March till mid-October.

The Flower Watch

In 1955 the huge Flower Watch was created at the edge of the English Garden. Together with the Jet d'Eau they are the main attractions every year for the tourists visiting the town. The Flower Watch reminds us about that Geneva is the birthplace of the Swiss clock and watch making and that this industry has become internationally famous, as well through the quality of the watches as through their elegance.
The Flower Watch has the peculiarity to have the world's longest arm for seconds. It measures 2 meters 50. Each second it moves about 27 cm. It was important to considerate the slope of the face to assure the preciseness of the watch. Its total circumference is 15,70 m, and its diameter is 5 m. For each flower decoration about 6'500 different plants are necessary.