Monument en hommage à l’action des Brigadistes suisses

The Monument to the Swiss Brigadists in Geneva is a four-metre stainless steel sculpture honouring Swiss volunteers who fought for the Republic in the Spanish Civil War. It stands in the Plainpalais district, at the end of avenue Dancet near the Arve river, and is one of the city's quieter but more meaningful memorials.

Who does it commemorate?

The International Brigades were made up of volunteers from many countries who went to defend the Spanish Republic between 1936 and 1939. Sources put the Swiss contingent at anywhere from just over 700 to roughly 800 people, while a plaque in Zurich cites 880. Returning home was far from easy, since many were prosecuted by Swiss military courts for serving in a foreign army. The Geneva monument is a public acknowledgement of that chapter of history.

What does the sculpture look like?

The piece rises about four metres and consists of three female figures, a nod to the Swiss women who served with the Brigades. It sits on a square metal base bearing an extract from the speech Dolores Ibárruri, known as La Pasionaria, gave at the Brigades' farewell parade in Barcelona in October 1938. The text appears in French and Spanish. The raw, shining steel contrasts nicely with the greenery along the riverbank.

Who made it, and when?

The sculptor is Manuel Torres, born in Málaga, who arrived in Geneva in the 1960s as a metalworker and later became an artist. He worked in the canton of Geneva throughout his career and died there in January 2018. The monument was unveiled on 17 June 2000 and paid for by the City of Geneva, following a parliamentary motion from 1996.

How do you get there, and when should you go?

The monument stands in a public space, so there are no tickets or opening hours. From the city centre it is a walk of roughly fifteen minutes through Plainpalais towards the Arve. The steel looks best in low, angled light, in the morning or late afternoon. A visit takes only a few minutes, so it pairs well with a stroll around the area, for instance across the wide Plainpalais esplanade and its flea market.

Frequently asked questions

Who were the Swiss Brigadists? Volunteers from Switzerland who fought or served on the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War, within the International Brigades, between 1936 and 1939.

Who created the monument? Manuel Torres, a Geneva-based sculptor originally from Málaga.

When was it unveiled? On 17 June 2000, funded by the City of Geneva.

Is there an admission fee? No. The monument is in a public space and can be seen at any time.