Archaeological Site of Saint-Pierre Cathedral

The Archaeological Site of Saint-Pierre Cathedral is an underground excavation beneath the cathedral in Geneva's Old Town, Switzerland, entered from the Cour de Saint-Pierre at number 6. It is one of the largest archaeological sites in Europe open to the public beneath a cathedral and reveals roughly 1,500 years of building history on a single plot. Visitors descend into a network of walkways that pass directly under the present choir and nave, where excavated layers show Roman and Allobrogian remains, an early Christian complex of the 4th century, floor mosaics, baptisteries, burial areas and the foundations of successive churches that preceded the current Romanesque and Gothic structure. Explanatory panels, models and projections help visitors read the layers and understand how the city's religious centre developed. Lighting is atmospheric and the route is well marked. The walk takes 45 minutes to an hour, and audio guides and multilingual signs are available. The site is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00AM to 5:00PM and closed on Mondays. Admission is CHF 8 for adults and free for those under 16. The temperature underground stays cool, so a light layer is useful even in summer. Visitors in a hurry can skip the longer displays and focus on the mosaic floors and the foundations beneath the choir. The site is a good choice on rainy days, since the visit is entirely indoors, and it combines well with the cathedral towers above and the Museum of the Reformation next door. Crowds are light on weekday mornings, while mid-afternoon on weekends is busiest. Photography is generally allowed without flash. Combined tickets with other cathedral attractions may be offered, so visitors should ask at the entrance.