We made our way downtown after the Red Cross museum. For lunch we had Crapes. Mine was cheese and spinach. Chocolate, coconut crape for dessert (grandma, you would of loved it!!).
Under the Cathedral
The archaeological site is internationally famous as one of the largest of its kind in Europe. The many vestiges excavated here provide an opportunity to discover the birth of Geneva and understand how Christianity became established.
It was discovered that there were churches built upon churches, dating back to the 4th century.
It also contains traces of pre-Christian activity, such as: Skeleton and tomb of an Allobrogian chieftain, 100 BC; wells; a wheat processing area; and a place of worship. Vestiges of ancient Geneva are still easily discernible even though the site has been continuously occupied for well over 2000 years.
My favourites were: 1. the skeleton; 2. Mosaic Pavement - the room in which the bishop received his visitors was comfortable and carefully decorated with underground heating and mosaic pavement; and 3. The wells that might have provided the rooms with water, as well as heat, that people are now throwing money into, as if its a "wishing well" (it's under a church; that's just weird).
Again, not my type of tour but it was interesting seeing what they have discovered and dug up under the cathedral. It is supposed to be one of the top three things to do in Geneva. It was nice because unlike the Maison Tavel, this tour was available in English.
Maison Tavel
Revisited the Maison Tavel
Third floor - miniature recreation of the city of Geneva (from 1896)
Second floor - 18th and 19th century apartment recreation. Interesting fact that the monk that start Taize camp lived in the Maison Tavel with his family before building the camp.
First floor - wooden doors of Geneva thru the years. Busts and carvings of old "things" (not sure what because it was all in French. Have to do more research). Supposedly these are busts and carvings from old buildings in geneva that no longer are around (ca. 1334). Also, supposedly the exhibits on the 1st floor are centred on urban development.
Floor 0 - reception and artifacts from different eras in Geneva; including an old guillotine (from 1799)
Floor -1 - as you walked off the elevator, there was the largest cedar barrel I have ever seen; I swear, if Sarah stood on my shoulders, that's how tall it was. The next room had an old scale for large items, that you put the item on one side and weights hang on levers. The third room was filled with coins and miniature bars of $$ from different eras. The four room had an old wall mounted coat of arms of Geneva (from 1740). Rae-Ann and Bridget went into this little walk way and room; we look their picture
(FREE) Cathedral organ concert -
- Master de concert de la HEM de Geneva. We believe it was a high school student doing a test. He played 5 songs. It was amazing because its this big, beautiful organ. They have free organ concerts every Saturday at 1800.
It's amazing and I didn't realize how many different sounds an organ this big could make. Wonder how long he's been playing?!
After the concert, we went for dinner. Italian pizza place, with good food, good drink, and good company!! It was lots of fun.
Once we were leaving, the waiters got us to sing Brittany spears. It was funny that these French men knew more songs and words than we did.
While waiting for the bus, we made a friend; a random, drunk French man, who tried to talk English. It was hilarious!!
Safe now in the hotel.
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