Reformation Wall

The Reformation Wall in Geneva, Switzerland, is situated in an exceptionally beautiful park, close to the elegant Place de Neuve. The most prominent Protestant reformers in Europe are honoured with four giant statues, a constant reminder of Geneva’s important role in religious history.

The giant wall (325 feet long, 30 feet high) dominates the large Parc des Bastions and centers on four Geneva luminaries, 15-foot-tall statues.

Quick facts

• Name: Reformation Wall
• Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Built From 1909
• Type of attraction: Monument
• Ticket price: Free

The Reformation Wall is located in the grounds of the University of Geneva, founded by John Calvin, and built to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Calvin’s birth and the 350th anniversary of the establishment of the university.

It is built into Geneva’s old city walls, and the location of the monument there is designed to represent the fortifications and hence the integral importance to the Reformation of the city of Geneva.

The four reformers in Geneva (Guillaume Farel, Jean Calvin, Théodore de Bèze and John Knox) are flanked by smaller sculptures of prominent Protestant figures, bas-reliefs and inscriptions.

The words “Post Tenebras Lux,” at the top of the statues, are Latin for “After the darkness, light.”

It is located in the great area for walks and taking photos.

Interesting facts about Reformation Wall

Here are some interesting facts about this unique attraction:

• One of the sculptors of the wall, Landowski, later designed the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.
• The cost of wall was over CHF 720,000.
• Discretely engraved into the wall is the only name of a female Reformer – Marie Dentière.

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