Place du Molard is known for its expensive boutiques, restaurants, and beautiful view of the bay. Once it was the city's main port. Now only the old tower, which can be seen from any point on the square, reminds us of this.
It is all that remains of the fortified wall that once protected the city from enemies. Geneva has always opened its doors to exiles, especially those who suffered in the struggle against tyranny and religious oppression in their homeland. Huguenots, Garibaldians, and participants in the Polish uprising once found refuge here. This is exactly what the bas-relief on the Molard Tower testifies to, depicting a young woman with the Geneva coat of arms bending over a wanderer. The caption on the image reads: “Geneva is the city of exiles.”
This bas-relief was added to the Molard Tower as one of the last, in 1921, after a whole series of restorations. Russian tourists will easily recognize in the appearance of the exile the famous leader and revolutionary who spent a long time in exile in Geneva.
