Description of the attraction
The construction of the cathedral, begun in 1160, was completed only in 1232. The building is a mixture of styles with a predominance of Romanesque and Gothic. A pediment with Greco-Roman columns and a dome, inspired by the building of the Pantheon in Rome, were added in the 18th century.
The interior of the temple has almost no decorations. Stained-glass windows, carved choirs, pulpit and carved column capitals depicting mermaids and various monsters remained from the Catholic "heritage". There is also a low ascetic "Calvin's chair". In the Maccabean chapel, where the warehouse was located, you can see copies of 15th century frescoes depicting angels playing music.
There is an observation deck on the north tower of the cathedral, from where a beautiful view of the city, lake and surroundings opens up.
Near the entrance to the cathedral is the Archaeological Museum, which displays mosaics, stones from the foundations of the church and the crypt of the 11th century.
A small chapel (Calvin's temple), built in the Gothic style in the 15th century, became a meeting place and sermons for representatives of the reformist movement in the Church. It was in this building that Miles Coverdale prepared the first edition of the Bible in English, which went down in history as the "Geneva Bible". Now the services of the Scottish Church are held here.
