Temple Saint-Gervais, Geneva

The Saint-Gervais Temple is a Protestant church located in the neighborhood of Geneva that shares its name. Its history dates back to the 4th century when the first temple was constructed on this site. In the 10th century, a Romanesque church replaced the original one. Over the years, this church underwent significant changes, especially after a fire in 1345. A complete reconstruction took place in 1436, and it was dedicated to Saint Gervais, which led to the naming of the surrounding district.

In the 17th century, the church underwent further substantial renovations, adopting a Gothic style. The funding for these renovations came from donations from local watchmakers, jewelers, and goldsmiths who lived in the area.

With the advent of the Protestant Reformation, the church was repurposed for Protestant worship. During this transformation, a pulpit was installed in the nave, and galleries were added along the north side, although most of them were later removed in 1903, with one being transformed into a sacristy. In 1901, a significant restoration project took place, including the addition of several stained glass windows, including one by Henri Demole depicting the theme of Escalade on the eastern side.

Beneath the temple, there is an archaeological site, which is also protected and includes the remains of a Gallo-Roman building and an early Christian church. Excavations were conducted in two phases, from 1987 to 1994, and then from 2000 to 2005, covering an area of nearly 2,000 square meters. This archaeological site is open to the public and can be explored as part of an archaeological tour.

The Saint-Gervais Temple is currently designated as a Swiss cultural heritage site of national significance and is frequently utilized as a venue for concerts.