Geneva Unveils Podcast Tours to Explore City's Mythical Monsters

Geneva is inviting residents and visitors to discover its hidden mythical and historical figures through a new series of audio walking tours. Launched by the municipal libraries, these podcasts aim to bring the city's folklore and art to life, transforming ordinary strolls into journeys of discovery.

The two audio tours, named "Chimères de Genève 1 and 2," are designed to lead participants through the streets, highlighting various hybrid creatures that inhabit the city's landscape. These figures, often overlooked, are woven into Geneva's cultural fabric, from public monuments to architectural details.

One tour focuses on iconic symbols such as the griffin adorning the Brunswick monument and the river god sculpture in the Corraterie. It also explores the intriguing history of the sphinxes at Cornavin station, commissioned in the 1850s by James Fazy and sculpted by François Lempereur. These creatures, often associated with ancient myths, offer a unique lens through which to view the city's artistic and historical narratives.

The initiative draws inspiration from historical accounts, including François Rabelais's "Quart Livre," where he described Geneva's reformer Calvin as a "demonic impostor" and a "monster." While Rabelais's critique was famously sharp, the podcasts take a more whimsical approach, using these "monsters" as gateways to explore Geneva's rich cultural heritage and artistic expressions.