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 Here, you are invited to go back in time by plunging underground! In fact, it's in the depths of the St-Pierre cathedral, proudly perched since the 12th century on the hill that dominates the city, that the origins of Geneva are revealed.
Having taken the somewhat steep stairway that leads directly under the cathedral, we discover, not without a certain astonishment, that the cathedral was not the first occupant of the hill. It was preceded, in fact, by numerous churches, of which the oldest dates back to the 4th century. Burrowing underground, it's not less than 2000 years that we are covering. We discover some vestiges from the 2nd and the 1st centuries B.C.: a place, a temple, an aristocratic home, a potter's workshop, a spectacular mosaic.
The tomb and remains of an Allobrogian chieftain dating from 120 B.C. were first brought to the light of day in 2000. For this place, open to the public in 1986, has since 1976 been first and foremost an archaeological dig. If today the excavation is complete, the information gathered all through these years has not finished revealing all its secrets. In particular, there remains, open to the public, a site that has been highlighted by means that are not at all old: models or maquettes, back-lit shelves, 3D drawings, films with 3D images and image synthesis. Discovering the life of our ancestors, the Celts, becomes a real treat!
Contact and information: www.site-archeologique.ch
Photo: Alain Germond
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Switzerland, french part 
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