National Monument

The National Monument is located in the Jardin Anglais, one of Geneva’s tourist hotspots. Inaugurated in 1869, this monument symbolises the entry of Geneva into the Swiss Confederation on 12th September 1814. It was constructed to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of this alliance, which was commemorated with celebrations in September 1864 and 1869.

Sculpted by Robert Dorer, this bronze statue represents two young women standing proudly on a pedestal. They are holding a sword and a shield and have their gaze resolutely turned towards the lake and in the direction of Switzerland. One symbolises the Republic of Geneva (with the crenellated headgear) and the other symbolises Helvetia, Switzerland, and each has their arm around the other’s waist.

Robert Dorer was a Swiss sculptor born in 1830 in Baden (Aargau). His exceptional artistic talent was evident from an early age, leading to his admission to the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich in the workshop of Ludwig Schwanthalers. After, he built on his expertise in Dresden, where he refined his classical style. He rose to fame with his “Guerrier Mourant”, a piece filled with patriotic sentiment. Despite living abroad, in essence, he remained a Swiss artist who drew his inspiration from the history of his country. He participated in many competitions for Swiss monuments, in which he won second prizes. In 1863, he won the prize for the National Monument of Geneva. This was followed by various projects and commissions for ornamental statues for public buildings, mainly in Bern and St. Gallen. Notably, he won the competition for the Tell Monument in Altdorf, one of his last pieces.