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P e a c e m o n u m e n t s o f G e n e v a

At risk of being lost forever –

the Temple of Peace

If the Peace Column was lost, and the black marble obelisk is The Temple was built by de Sellon, had a round form of 3,60
“almost forgotten” as a peace monument, the destiny of the m diameter, with a cupola and six columns. In the middle of
peace monument called The Temple of Peace and Friendship, the Temple was a circular marble table. On the roof Temple
is even more tragic – it was destroyed, and it is at risk of de la Paix et de l’Amitié was inscribed. Around each
being forgotten. It is listed among peace monuments which column there were inscriptions, possibly depicting de Sellon’s
have disappeared. This article aims to to raise awareness aspirations for that era. The phrase “Friendship Enhances
and encourage serious reflection explore possibilities for Happiness and is a support in times of Grief” is written
the restoration of the Temple of Peace in, and perhaps by, in six languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Geneva. and Latin, one language on the inside of each Temple column
(inscription details in the article of JC Pallas). The Temple
The exact date of the erection of the Temple of Peace is not therefore represents an important symbol of peace and non-
known and in dispute. Different sources provide different violence, and passes on an important message.
dates, from 1838 to as early as the 1820 construction of the
Villa La Fenetre itself. The date 1838 was engraved on the The Temple was generally recognized as a significant
Temple, but this could have been done later, corresponding monument, especially in the years following its destruction.
to some other event or milestone. Having studied private Unfortunately, no-one has stories of seeing it, and very few
archives, I came across descriptions of the Temple from the people now know about it, except a few architects, researchers
early 1830s, soon after the establishment of the Société de or people keeping de Sellon’s heritage.
la Paix. These were once again provided by the renowned
American reformer Henry Barnard , who visited the In the years after its destruction, there were several schemes
1
property in early 1830, and according to whom the Temple to restore the Temple. Proposals were made by the Geneva
of Peace and Friendship was already an integral part of the United Nations Office, and the City of Geneva, private
grounds. He gives the year of erection as 1820, as do some foundations, and by workers from many international
other sources (Geneva Peace Itinerary “Geneva for Peace” organizations. The most significant proposals were:
and Peace Monuments of Geneva).
In 1956, by the “Club de Dix Ans” in New York, submitted to
Recently, a group of students from the Haut Ecole d’Art et the then Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld.
Design, who discovered the remains of the Temple, saw all In early 1964 – a proposal to have the Temple restored
engravings and analyzed its architectural value, after thorough in commemoration for the second Secretary-General.
research, concluded that the Temple was erected in 1820 . The
2
Temple may have been built during the construction of the Villa In 1967, a petition to restore the Temple as a centre for
La Fenêtre itself, and so can be considered a real part of the meditation, open to all faiths, delegates, official representatives,
origin of the Geneva peace movement, dating back 200 years. and citizens of Geneva was signed by people from many
This would make it the earliest peace monument in Geneva. organisations, addressed to the UNOG Director-General.
In early 1970s – a joint proposal was made by the Director-
This monument is not well known, although it is listed as General of the WMO, President of the Societe d’Art Public
historical heritage and is the earliest tangible sign of peace Sections Genevoise de la Ligue Suisse du Patrimoine
action in Geneva. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in a Nationale, to restore the Temple to preserve its architectural
thunderstorm in 1946 and never rebuilt. There are practically heritage, on the anniversary of European Architectural
no photos of this monument, only rare drawings and Heritage in 1975.
illustrations in archives.
Over the same period the destroyed peace monument also
became a matter of serious concern to the City of Geneva. In
1 Notes “A visit to the Count de Sellon, Founder and President 1985 the City was willing to restore the Temple, admitting its
of the Geneva Peace Society”, in September 1835 (published importance as a historic peace monument (article by Serge
by American Advocate of Peace, 1843-1836, Vol2, No. 10, Bimpage, Le Temps, 1985, photo of the article is given in this
pp.81-86.) article, and can be reviewed in the archives of the Le Temps
2 Maria Adelaida Samper et Kate McHugh Stevenson « Temple magazine).
de l’Amitié et de la Paix ., les ruines d’une métaphore », La
Cité, Fevrier 2013, page 30.

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