lake geneva switzerland fountain. fountains of geneva

The giant jet of water has been Geneva's most significant landmark since 1981. This narrow column of water shoots up to a stunning height of 140 meters and is one of the most recognizable places in the city.

The fountain has quite impressive characteristics: every second a stream of water with a diameter of 4 inches (10.16 cm) breaks out to the surface at a speed of 200 km / h. At any given moment, there are about 7,000 liters of water in the air.

Named "Jet d" Eau ", which means "jet of water" in French, the fountain is located on Lake Geneva at the point where it flows into the river Rhone (Rhône).The lake has a stone pier, installed in the same year, as well as the famous fountain, through which visitors can get from the shore directly to the point where the water spouts.

The iconic Swiss landmark was originally intended as a relief valve to relieve excess pressure on the city's hydraulic power supply. The hydraulic power grid uses pressurized water to transfer mechanical power from a large central pumping station to workshops and factories throughout the city through a network of pipes, just as in a power system power is transferred from a generator station to end users.

The idea of ​​a hydraulic power supply network was first proposed by the English inventor Joseph Bramah in the early 1800s, and the first such low pressure systems began to appear in England in the 1840s, but the real breakthrough came in 1850 with the introduction of a hydraulic accumulator, which allowed much higher pressures to be used. By the end of the 19th century, many cities around the world had hydraulic power networks. Among them were London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Antwerp, Melbourne, Sydney, Buenos Aires and Geneva.

The Geneva hydraulic power supply network was created in 1879 by installing a 300 HP steam engine that pumped water from Lake Geneva both for drinking and for supplying pressurized water. The increased demand prompted the city to install a new pumping station in 1886, which used water from the Rhone River. Water pressure was used to power machines in more than a hundred workshops and factories. At the end of each working day, as the machines were shut down at the same time in the factories, excess pressure built up in the system, so a safety valve was needed to relieve it. This safety valve was the first fountain in Geneva, which created a water column 30 meters high.

Soon the tall fountain became a city landmark. Seeing how popular it had become, in 1891 the city authorities decided to move it to its current location for the sole purpose of attracting more tourists. When the jet began to beat with more power, the height of the fountain rose by 90 meters. In 1951, the power of the stream once increased so much that the jet rose to its current height - 140 meters - becoming the sixth tallest fountain in the world.

Today, the fountain operates around the clock throughout the year, and in the evenings it is illuminated with colorful lights.

The first Jet d'Eau fountain in Geneva, circa 1886.

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The largest fountain in Geneva was built at the end of the 18th century. His task was to discharge excess water into the lake, which accumulates on weekends and in the evening in the hydraulic system. The hydraulic installation served various plants and factories, of which there were quite a lot in this city - these were famous watch brands, textile factories, mills, as well as the local population - more than 100 thousand inhabitants lived in Geneva during this period.

Initially, the height of the Geneva Fountain was only 30 meters, but even in this form, the residents really liked it. In the evenings, couples in love began to meet here, mothers with children, and elderly people went for walks. In 1891, a real birth of a miracle took place - the municipal council allocated funds for lighting equipment. Such attractions already existed in Europe - in France and England, and everyone knew how beautiful the structure could be.

A small fountain was moved closer to the shore, to the square of the Haut-Vive quarter, the jet power was increased to 90 meters, and decorated with colored garlands. As a result, the renovated large fountain was put into operation on the occasion of the 600th anniversary of the Confederation; it has been pleasing residents and guests for 120 years.

Design features

For ten years now, the Geneva Fountain has been working seven days a week, although sometimes it is turned off in bad weather - during strong winds and negative air temperatures. This is done for safety reasons so that frozen water drops do not injure anyone. At the same time, it is the wind that is the main factor in the attractiveness and unusualness of the structure. Fountain Features:

• Under the influence of the wind, in combination with the sun's rays, the water column changes its shape and colors.
• The shape of a water sculpture can be so bizarre and unpredictable that you can watch the action for days - it does not repeat itself.
• As for the colors, they range from pink to silvery blue.
• The type of jet can take the form of a column, or it can crumble into spray like a fan, reaching almost to the middle of the lake.
• The design is equipped with a special spray that saturates the water with air. Thanks to this, the jet has a beautiful white color, and not brown, like water in a lake.

Currently, the Geneva Fountain is compared in importance with eiffel tower. The owners of the tourist business designate it as the most important tourist capital.

Fountain Specifications

• The average height of the fountain is 140 meters.
• Water is thrown upward at a speed of 200 km per hour.
• The volume of water is 500 liters per second.
• The mass of water flying into the air is 7 tons, one drop of water spends 16 seconds in the air from the moment it is released until it falls into the lake.
• This is provided by two monopumps with a total capacity of 1000 kilowatts.
• The fountain is illuminated by 12 spotlights, the lighting power is 9000 watts.
• At the same time, an air atomizer works in the fountain, which saturates the water with small bubbles, giving it a white color. Without this system, the water in the fountain would always have the color of a lake and in cloudy days would look brown

Symbol of Geneva

Currently, Jet d'Eau is part of the image not only of the city, but of the whole country. The most important political and cultural events are accompanied by symbols depicting big fountain. That is why the state carefully protects this monument from various advertising actions of a mercenary nature, while at the same time willingly providing it as a backdrop for charitable purposes.

So in 2010, when a charity campaign against breast cancer was carried out, the water column was given a bright pink color.

In September, on the days of the founding of the monument, various events are held here, for example, tasting water from the lake. Those who wish can independently conduct chemical analyzes of samples. A stand is also installed here, where the history of the structure is indicated, and the technology for purifying water for drinking is shown. There is a fair with souvenirs on the square - the profits from the sale are sent to Kenya, for the needs of the water supply of the inhabitants of this country.

On holidays, excursions are organized here where you can get acquainted with internal device fountain.

The Geneva Fountain, or Jet d'Eau, is located in and today is not only the main symbol of the city, but of the whole. Few tourists, and locals know that initially the fountain performed an important function of providing the city with electricity. Much later, the city authorities decided to reconstruct the building. This is how the Geneva Fountain appeared - one of the most magnificent cities that attracts vacationers.

Jet d'Eau is the largest fountain in Geneva. Its history begins at the end of the 18th century, when the fountain was built and put into operation in addition to the hydraulic factory. In those days, the fountain was small, its height barely reached 30 meters, but despite this, it quickly became a favorite place for lovers, newly-made mothers and their children, elderly residents of the city. In 1891, the municipal council of Geneva seeks funds to illuminate the fountain, which makes it more beautiful than it was before. After quite a bit of time, the attraction was moved to another part of the city to the square of the O-Viv quarter, on the coast. The transformations did not end there, the power of the fountain jet increased to 90 meters, and the design of the adjacent territory also changed. Since then, the Geneva Fountain has been running smoothly and delights everyone who lives or visits Geneva.

For the last decade, the fountain has been operating daily, except for rainy days with negative temperatures or strong gusts of wind, when it can be dangerous to others.

1. Wind and sunlight help the fountain jet to change shape and color.
2. You can watch the movement of water endlessly, because its sculptures are unique.
3. Depending on the refraction of the sun's rays, the water in the fountain can be painted in all sorts of colors and shades, from pink to silver-blue.
4. Water takes on different forms, depending on weather conditions it can be a pillar or a spray fan.
5. Thanks to technical equipment the water in the fountain is saturated with air, which gives it a pleasant white color. The water in the lake is brown.

The Jet d'Eau fountain in Geneva is the main center of political and cultural life cities and countries. For example, in 2010, a charity campaign against breast cancer was organized here. Every year, the Geneva Fountain becomes the venue for tasting water from the lake. All proceeds from this celebration are donated to Kenya, whose residents are experiencing an acute shortage of drinking water. Each celebration is accompanied by excursions introducing the internal structure of the fountain.

Today Jet d'Eau has become even more majestic. The height of the water column of the Geneva Fountain is 147 meters, and the speed with which the water moves can reach 200 kilometers per hour. Every second, two powerful pumps pump up to 500 liters of water. The mass of water soaring into the air reaches 7000 kg, a small drop returns to the lake after 16 seconds of flight. The jet height of the Geneva Fountain could have been further increased, but these changes would have had a negative impact on the flora and fauna of the lake, so the municipality decided not to risk it.

The Geneva Fountain is visible from every corner of the city, so it is quite possible to use it as a landmark if you have lost your way. The fountain is located on the promenade near and if you are located in one of the Old Town, then you can walk to your destination. Tourists living on the opposite shore of the lake can use the services of local transport - plying boats. The ticket will cost 2 euros.

The Je Do fountain is open around the clock, but you can fully enjoy the beauty of its illumination and illumination only at night, so plan your day correctly so that you can do everything and admire one of the the greatest structures modernity.

This attraction of Geneva began to operate in 1886 - next to the current location of the fountain.

Once upon a time, it was just a side effect of technological progress: under high pressure, water turned mills and machine engines in factories, and on weekends, when the machines stopped, it was necessary to relieve pressure with a fountain, releasing water back into the lake. Although at that time the jet rose only 30 meters into the air, the inhabitants of Geneva really liked this spectacle, and many citizens and guests of the city walked near the fountain in the evenings.

In 1896, it was moved to the city, and in 1951 - to the lake, in order to directly use the water from the reservoir.

Now the fountain functions daily, turning off only in frost and strong winds. Perhaps it can be called a symbol of the city.

Jet D'o fountain

One of the many attractions of Geneva is the beautiful Jet d'Eau fountain, which is 140 meters high. It was first installed in June 1886, slightly below its current location. In early 1891, in honor of the 600th anniversary of the Swiss Confederation, the Jet d'Eau fountain was moved to the city center for public viewing. At that time maximum height attractions was 90 meters. In 1951, a pumping station was installed under the fountain in order to use water directly from the lake itself, and not from the water supply, as was the case before. Since 2003, the Jet d'Eau fountain has been operating daily, it is turned off only in frost and strong winds.

The Geneva fountain is one of the largest in the world, its flow rate is 500 liters per second. At night, the Jet d'Eau is illuminated by an LED installation, which creates a real enchanting show. You can often meet local youth and couples at the fountain, often it acts as a city landmark.

Each city has its own attraction. The symbol of Paris is the Eiffel Tower, London is Big Ben... Geneva is first of all the Jette d'Eau fountain. Such a romantic name translated into Russian sounds like just a jet of water. The architecture of this beautiful fountain makes the architecture of Geneva unique.
Jette d'Eau is located on Lake Geneva, near the source of the Rhone River. The view of it opens from the buildings of Geneva, located on the waterfront.
However, the Jet d'Eau can rightly be considered one of the tallest fountains in the world. The Jet d'Eau fountain in Geneva can be seen from a distance of 10 km.

The Jette d'Eau fountain in Geneva was installed for the first time in 1886. True, at that time it was somewhat downstream than it is now. In 1891, in connection with the celebration of the 600th anniversary of the Swiss Conference in Geneva, the Jette d'Eau fountain itself was moved to the city and put on public display. Since then, the architecture of Geneva has become even more perfect.
The current location of the Jette d'Eau fountain was finally determined in 1951. Below it on the lake is a pumping station that uses water from the lake (previously the water was tap water). The most high point, reached by the jet of the fountain, today is about 140 meters. The flow rate is actually half a ton of liters of water per second, while the pump consumption is 500 kW. Jette d'Eau fountain jet speed reaches 200 km/h.
At the same time, the Jette d'Eau fountain in Geneva is equipped with a special nozzle that sprays water, which makes the water flow appear white. In sunny weather, you can watch a beautiful rainbow playing in the sun's rays on the billions of water droplets sprayed by the Jette d'Eau fountain.
If you are lucky enough to be near the working Jette d'Eau fountain, you will be able to feel all the unbridled power of the water, shooting with great force to quite a decent height.
At night, the Jette d'Eau fountain looks like the white spire of a watchtower, standing on watch day and night, not missing a single detail and leaving no one indifferent to the beauty of the city's architecture.

Romance of the evening near the fountain

And in the evenings, when Jett d'Eau is illuminated by spotlights, its view becomes indescribably beautiful and awakens all the most romantic in people. Be sure to visit this famous fountain together with your soulmate. After all, looking at the Jette d'Eau fountain, together you can get twice as much sensations from contemplating this man-made miracle light and experiencing similar emotions to become closer to each other.
Most of the buildings of architecture in Geneva, located on the Gustave Ador embankment, use this. Located near the main attraction, even rather the symbol of Geneva, they are very popular with tourists.
When visiting Geneva, be sure to visit the symbol of Geneva - a beautiful piece of architecture. Unforgettable experience combined with a truly European attentiveness will not leave you indifferent to this city.