The fountain is up to. Geneva Fountain - the main symbol of the Swiss capital


The Geneva Fountain, or Jet d'Eau, is located in and today is not only the main symbol of the city, but of the whole. Few tourists, and even local residents, know that initially the fountain performed an important function in providing the city with electricity. Much later, the city authorities decided to reconstruct the structure. This is how the Geneva Fountain appeared - one of the most magnificent cities which attracts tourists.

History of the largest fountain in Geneva

Jet d'Eau is the largest fountain in Geneva. Its history begins at the end of the 18th century, when the fountain was built and put into operation in addition to the hydraulic factory. In those days, the fountain was small, its height barely reached 30 meters, but despite this, it quickly became a favorite place for lovers, newly-made mothers and their children, and elderly residents of the city. In 1891, the municipal council of Geneva seeks funds to illuminate the fountain, which makes it more beautiful than it was before. After quite a bit of time, the attraction was moved to another part of the city to the square of the O-Viv quarter, on the coast. The transformations did not end there, the power of the fountain jet increased to 90 meters, and the design of the adjacent territory also changed. Since then, the Geneva Fountain has been running smoothly and delights everyone who lives or visits Geneva.

For the last decade, the fountain has been operating daily, except for rainy days with negative temperatures or strong gusts of wind, when it can be dangerous to others.

Fountain features
  1. Wind and sunlight help the fountain jet change shape and color.
  2. You can watch the movement of water endlessly, because its sculptures are unique.
  3. Depending on the refraction of the sun's rays, the water in the fountain can be painted in all sorts of colors and shades, from pink to silver-blue.
  4. Water takes on different forms, depending on weather conditions it can be a pillar or a spray fan.
  5. Thanks to the technical equipment, the water in the fountain is saturated with air, which gives it a pleasant white color. The water in the lake is brown.
Fountain today

The Jet d'Eau fountain in Geneva is the main center of the political and cultural life of the city and the country. For example, in 2010 a charity campaign against breast cancer was organized here. Every year, the Geneva Fountain becomes the venue for events for tasting water from the lake. All proceeds from this celebration are transferred to Kenya, whose inhabitants are experiencing an acute shortage of drinking water. Each celebration is accompanied by excursions introducing the internal structure of the fountain.

Today Jet d'Eau has become even more majestic. The height of the water column of the Geneva Fountain is 147 meters, and the speed with which the water moves can reach 200 kilometers per hour. Every second, two powerful pumps pump up to 500 liters of water. The mass of water soaring into the air reaches 7000 kg, a small drop returns to the lake after 16 seconds of flight. The jet height of the Geneva Fountain could have been further increased, but these changes would have had a negative impact on the flora and fauna of the lake, so the municipality decided not to risk it.

Note to the tourist

The Geneva Fountain is visible from every corner of the city, so it is quite possible to use it as a landmark if you have lost your way. The fountain is located on the promenade near and if you are located in one of the Old Town, then you can walk to your destination. Tourists living on the opposite shore of the lake can use the services of local transport - plying boats. The ticket will cost 2 euros.

The Je Do fountain is open around the clock, but you can fully enjoy the beauty of its illumination and illumination only at night, so plan your day correctly so that you can do everything and admire one of the greatest buildings of our time.

One of the largest fountains in the world; " business card» not only , but the whole . in dialect local residents, this is Jet d'Eau, i.e. "Water jet". The height of the fountain is 140 m and the flow rate is 500 l/s. This tourist facility located in the very center of Geneva and therefore it is always crowded around it. It is included in the version of our site.

The fountain is open daily from morning to evening. Its height is comparable to the size of a 46-storey building. In addition to the fact that he beats up with one powerful string, he can take on a variety of forms and be highlighted with all the colors of the rainbow. Visiting the Geneva Fountain is completely free. It is best to observe him from the nearest viewing platforms. You can get to it by bus to the Rive stop, or by ferry to Genève-Jardin-Anglais.

The history of this fountain began more than 125 years ago. It was installed as an additional structure to the hydraulic system and reached only 30 m. Then it was not yet considered a city landmark. In the middle of the 20th century, it was replaced by Jet d'Eau with a powerful stream that takes resources from, and not from the city's water supply. With the onset of darkness, the fountain is illuminated by multi-colored spotlights, which makes it look incredibly beautiful.

Attraction photo: Geneva Fountain

The largest fountain in Geneva was built at the end of the 18th century. His task was to discharge excess water into the lake, which accumulates on weekends and in the evening in the hydraulic system. The hydraulic installation served various plants and factories, of which there were quite a lot in this city - these were famous watch brands, textile factories, mills, as well as the local population - more than 100 thousand inhabitants lived in Geneva during this period.

Initially, the height of the Geneva Fountain was only 30 meters, but even in this form, the residents really liked it. In the evenings, couples in love began to meet here, mothers with children, and elderly people went for walks. In 1891, a real birth of a miracle took place - the municipal council allocated funds for lighting equipment. Such attractions already existed in Europe - in France and England, and everyone knew how beautiful the structure could be.

A small fountain was moved closer to the shore, to the square of the Haut-Viv quarter, the jet power was increased to 90 meters, and decorated with colored garlands. As a result, the renovated large fountain was put into operation on the occasion of the 600th anniversary of the Confederation; it has been pleasing residents and guests for 120 years.

Design features

For ten years, the Geneva Fountain has been working seven days a week, although sometimes it is turned off in bad weather - during strong winds and negative air temperatures. This is done for safety reasons so that frozen water drops do not injure anyone. At the same time, it is the wind that is the main factor in the attractiveness and unusualness of the structure. Fountain Features:

  • Under the influence of the wind, in combination with the sun's rays, the water column changes its shape and colors.
  • The shape of a water sculpture can be so bizarre and unpredictable that you can watch the action for days - it does not repeat itself.
  • As for the colors, they range from pink to silvery blue.
  • The type of jet can take the form of a column, or it can crumble into spray like a fan, reaching almost to the middle of the lake.
  • The design is equipped with a special spray that saturates the water with air. Thanks to this, the jet has a beautiful white color, and not brown, like water in a lake.

Currently, the Geneva Fountain is compared in importance with the Eiffel Tower. The owners of the tourist business designate it as the most important tourist capital.

Fountain Specifications

  • The average height of the fountain is 140 meters.
  • Water is thrown upward at a speed of 200 km per hour.
  • The volume of water is 500 liters per second.
  • The mass of water flying into the air is 7 tons, one drop of water spends 16 seconds in the air from the moment it is released until it falls into the lake.
  • This is provided by two monopumps with a total capacity of 1000 kilowatts.
  • The fountain is illuminated by 12 spotlights, the lighting power is 9000 watts.
  • At the same time, an air atomizer works in the fountain, which saturates the water with small bubbles, giving it a white color. Without this system, the water in the fountain would always have the color of a lake and would look brown on cloudy days.
  • Symbol of Geneva

    Currently, Jet d'Eau is part of the image not only of the city, but of the whole country. The most important political and cultural events are accompanied by symbols depicting a large fountain. That is why the state carefully protects this monument from various advertising actions of a mercenary nature, while at the same time willingly providing it as a backdrop for charitable purposes.

    So in 2010, when a charity campaign against breast cancer was carried out, the water column was given a bright pink color.

    In September, on the days of the founding of the monument, various events are held here, for example, tasting water from the lake. Those who wish can independently conduct chemical analyzes of samples. A stand is also installed here, where the history of the structure is indicated, and the technology for purifying water for drinking is shown. There is a fair with souvenirs on the square - the profits from the sale are sent to Kenya, for the needs of the water supply of the inhabitants of this country.

    On holidays, excursions are organized here where you can get acquainted with the internal structure of the fountain.

This attraction of Geneva began to operate in 1886 - next to the current location of the fountain.

Once upon a time, it was just a side effect of technological progress: under high pressure, water turned mills and machine engines in factories, and on weekends, when the machines stopped, it was necessary to relieve pressure with a fountain, releasing water back into the lake. Although at that time the jet rose only 30 meters into the air, the inhabitants of Geneva really liked this spectacle, and many citizens and guests of the city walked near the fountain in the evenings.

In 1896, it was moved to the city, and in 1951 - to the lake, in order to directly use the water from the reservoir.

Now the fountain functions daily, turning off only in frost and strong winds. Perhaps it can be called a symbol of the city.

Jet D'o fountain

One of the many attractions of Geneva is the beautiful Jet d'Eau fountain, which is 140 meters high. It was first installed in June 1886, slightly below its current location. In early 1891, in honor of the 600th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation, the Jet d'Eau fountain was moved to the city center for public viewing. At that time, the maximum height of the attraction was 90 meters. In 1951, a pumping station was installed under the fountain in order to use water directly from the lake itself, and not from the water supply, as was the case before. Since 2003, the Jet d'Eau fountain has been operating daily, it is turned off only in frost and strong winds.

The Geneva fountain is one of the largest in the world, its flow rate is 500 liters per second. At night, the Jet d'Eau is illuminated by an LED installation, which creates a real enchanting show. You can often meet local youth and couples at the fountain, often it acts as a city landmark.

Geneva Fountain (Geneva, Switzerland) - description, history, location, reviews, photo and video.

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There are many interesting sights in Geneva, but one of them - the Jet d'Eau fountain - attracts all tourists without exception. The Geneva Fountain is located in the center of the city, but not somewhere in the square or in the park, but in the middle of the lake. This place was not chosen by chance. History says that the fountain was launched in 1886, but then it was not just a beautiful sight, but worked for the benefit of all of Geneva, ensuring the smooth operation of the city's hydraulic system.

You should not worry about the schedule of the Geneva Fountain, because it is turned on every day - from morning to evening.

Today, the Geneva Fountain is considered one of the most powerful in the world. Just imagine: the jets of the water complex rise to a height of... 140 meters! This is comparable to the size of a 46-storey skyscraper! In addition to a powerful jet, which, by the way, can take on different forms, the Geneva Fountain, in addition, boasts beautiful multi-colored illumination.

Geneva fountain

The floodlights are turned on at dusk, and the lake with a fountain beating on its surface turns into an incredible show. You should not worry about the schedule of the Geneva Fountain, because it is turned on every day - from morning to evening. Only bad weather can prevent you from enjoying the main attraction of Geneva: on windy days and in sub-zero temperatures, the water complex is not launched for safety reasons. And finally.