Geneva City Hall — Local services in Geneva

The town hall is the seat of the political authorities of the Republic and Canton of Geneva. In 1405, the town bought several private residences to build the first town house. Overlooking the current rue de l'hôtel de ville, it was therefore called "anterior", and raised in 1455 by the mason and bricklayer Pierre Mascrot. Until the 18th century, the town hall continued to develop and reached its maximum extension, occupying all the available space. It was necessary to buy the neighbouring house belonging to the widow Turrettini, whose plot of land was essential for building the eastern wing of the town hall. From 1700, under the supervision of the architect Jean Vennes , assisted by the mason-architect Moïse Ducommun, very important works were undertaken, including the construction of the southern wing intended to house the Council of Two...

Town Hall is the political heart of the city and the seat of government for the Canton of Geneva. This building houses the famous Alabama Room in which the first Geneva Convention was adopted in 1864, from which was to emerge the International Red Cross. The large paved ramp surrounding the building its most unique feature. It was built between 1555 and 1578 by Peter Desfosses, the design of the ramp enabled direct access to the upper floors on horseback or on foot.

📷: ©️Chris...

L’Hôtel de Ville de Genève n’est pas une mairie comme dans les communes. On ne vient pas ici pour des démarches administratives, mais c’est le lieu où se prennent les grandes décisions politiques du canton. Le Conseil d’État (gouvernement) et le Grand Conseil (parlement) s’y réunissent régulièrement. Le bâtiment a aussi une grande valeur historique : c’est ici qu’a été signée la première Convention de Genève en 1864. L’architecture est remarquable, avec sa rampe hélicoïdale et ses salles anciennes comme la salle de l’Alabama. Même si on ne peut pas toujours entrer librement, l’extérieur vaut la peine d’être vu lors d’une balade dans la vieille ville. C’est un lieu symbolique qui rappelle le rôle politique et diplomatique de Genève...