- Address: 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
- Phone: +41 22 917 12 34
- Official website: www.unog.ch
- Opening: 1938
- Owner: United Nations
- Architects: Henri-Paul Neno, Julien Flegenheimer, Camille Lefèvre
- Cost of visiting: adult - 12 CHF (Swiss francs); students, pensioners and invalids - 10 CHF, children - 7 CHF.
The Palais des Nations or Palais des Nations in Geneva occupies a huge complex of buildings, each of which could accommodate not one public organization. The construction of the buildings lasted ten years, from 1936 to 1946, although at first they had another organization - the League of Nations.
Construction of a palace complex
The very first palace of the complex was erected in 1938 in one of the picturesque places of Geneva - Ariana Park. The place for building bequeathed a family of aristocrats named Raviyot de Rive. In the will, an interesting condition was put forward, according to which the city authorities undertook to keep the peacocks, who appeared in the park in those days when he was a private possession, at will. Officials honorably fulfill the obligation, in addition, on their initiative in the park Ariana retained chalets, once owned by eminent gentlemen, his age is three and a half centuries.
Five well-known architects - winners of the competition - worked simultaneously on the construction project. Under the first Palais des Nations, a temporary capsule containing the most important documents, among which:
- List of names of countries belonging to the League of Nations.
- A copy of the main document of the League of Nations - the Convention.
- Samples of coins of those states that attended the tenth anniversary Assembly of the League of Nations.
It is interesting
It is known that the outstanding Swiss architect Le Corbusier did not become part of the legendary five only because the project he created was inked, the color of which was forbidden to use under the terms of the competition. A few years later the work of Le Corbusier was still appreciated, the late buildings of the complex are prototypes of palaces from his project.
After the transfer of the palace complex to the UN, new buildings were built that included not less significant organizations: UNESCO, the IAEA, and so on.
The Palace of Nations these days
Today the length of the palace complex is 600 meters, and the area it occupies is comparable to that of Versailles. Before the Palais des Nations, there is a square of the same name, the main decoration of which is a dummy cannon, the muzzle of which would be directed to the Palace building, if it were not tied to a knot. About what the authors of this monument wanted to say, it is not difficult to guess.
Each year, the Palace of the League of Nations in Geneva becomes the venue for major international congresses, meetings, conferences at least 8,000 times. In the absence of official receptions, the halls of the Palace are accessible to the eyes of tourists, concerts, exhibitions and other major cultural events are held here.
Important is the fact that the Palace of Nations in Switzerland is constantly being built and updated, which makes its state ideal. Recently, a tradition has appeared to pay for repair or construction of buildings by member countries and present them as a gift to the UN. In addition, they are given all kinds of art objects that supplement the collection of the museum of the organization.
Useful information for tourists
The time of the Palace of Nations for tourist excursions is not constant. Between September and March, the Palace is open every weekday from 10 to 16 hours. From 12 to 14 hours - lunch break. From April to June, the Palais des Nations works seven days a week. The working hours and lunch break are maintained. During the summer months, excursions are conducted daily from 10 to 16 hours, without interruptions, but by appointment. Excursion time is 1 hour. Ticket price for adult visitors - 12 CHF (Swiss francs); students, pensioners and invalids pay 10 CHF, children - 7 CHF.
Getting to the Palais des Nations in Geneva is quite simple. You can use the services of public transport. Buses following the routes: No. 28, 8 F, z, V, 18 will take you to the stop "Appia", then a five-minute walk. Buses No. 5, 11 stop at the Palais des Nations, and tram numbers 13 and 15 go to the Nations stop, which is two minutes walk from the destination. In addition, taxi services are always available that will take you to the entrance to the Palais des Nations.
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