On December 12, 1602, the Duke of Savoy launched a surprise attack on the city of Geneva in the dead of night. The defense of the city by its citizens, surprised by this "Escalade" from their walls, marked a crucial turning point in Geneva's history.

Since then, the people of Geneva have celebrated their victory every year, creating a rich heritage of objects and souvenirs. These include the famous Marmite, used to pour scalding soup over the attackers, which remains the symbol of the population's unwavering resistance to the Duke's soldiers.

Every year, artists draw inspiration from this event to create new works. Today, a wide variety of Escalade-related objects are available, including period coins, medals bearing images of Mère Royaume, the brave soup-pourer, and depictions of the fighting.

Collectively, these objects preserve the memory of the Escalade, reminding us of Geneva's resilience and bravery at the time.

Like every year since more than 400 years, Geneva is going back to the 17th century for a weekend. Come celebrate with us, at Geneva Collections, on Saturday December 9, just in front of the cathedral, in one of the few remaining buildings that witnessed the events of 1602.