Escalade Fountain, Geneva

The Escalade Fountain in Geneva (Fontaine de l'Escalade) is an 1857 monument marking the failed Savoyard assault on the city during the night of 11 to 12 December 1602. It stands in the heart of town at Rue de la Cité 2, right below the Old Town.

What does the fountain commemorate?

The monument recalls the Escalade, when Savoyard troops tried to take Geneva by scaling its walls with ladders. The defenders held the city, and the episode became a lasting emblem of Genevan independence. The fountain rises in three tiers. The lowest carries the names of those killed in the Escalade, the middle level shows bronze figures from the episode, and a bronze woman personifying Geneva crowns the top. The basin is cut from Mont Blanc granite, while the monument itself uses white limestone and yellow Morley stone.

Who made it, and when?

The sculptor was Johannes Leeb. In 1854 he offered to build a fountain at the foot of the Cité, reportedly adorned with bas-reliefs of the 1602 events. He carved the sculpture in Munich and finished it in May 1857, while the basin was still unfinished. Water first ran on 15 September 1857. There was no formal inauguration: the conservative city magistrates feared protests from radicals, who thought it inappropriate to revive memories of Geneva's old conflicts with Savoy.

A fountain had occupied the spot since the early 19th century, and in 1841 architect Adrien Krieg built a new one there before Leeb's monument took its place.

How do you get there?

The address is Rue de la Cité 2, in the city centre, so walking is easiest. It lies a few minutes on foot from the Old Town streets. The monument stands beside a busy road, so walk around it to take in every tier and inscription.

What else is nearby?

The fountain makes a natural starting point for a stroll through Geneva's Old Town. It is a short stop rather than a half-day attraction, but it fits well into a walk through the city's history. If the Escalade story interests you, time your visit for mid-December, when the festival fills the streets with a procession that the Compagnie de 1602 has organised since 1926.

When should you visit?

The monument is on the street and can be seen at any time of year. The most atmospheric moment is the Fête de l'Escalade in mid-December, with costumed parades and reenactments around the city.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Escalade Fountain?

At Rue de la Cité 2 in central Geneva, at the foot of the Old Town.

Is there an entrance fee?

No. It is an open-air street monument, accessible at any hour without a ticket.

Who sculpted it?

Johannes Leeb. He completed the sculpture in Munich in 1857, and the fountain began running on 15 September that year.

Who is the woman at the top?

A bronze figure personifying Geneva, standing above the lower tiers.

Is the fountain linked to the legend of Mère Royaume?

Legend says Catherine Cheynel, known as Mère Royaume, tipped hot soup on the attackers. No account written at the time mentions the act, and her name appears only in the 18th century. The monument itself honours the victims and defenders of the Escalade.