International Red Cross & Red Crescent Museum

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  • Address
    Jardin Botanique, Ave de la Paix 17, Palais des Nations quarter, 1202
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  • Phone
    022 748 95 25
  • Website
  • Transport
    bus: 8, F (from Place de Cornavin)
walking: From Cornavin railway station (12 min)

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Lonely Planet review

The International Red Cross & Red Crescent Museum is a compelling multimedia trawl through atrocities perpetuated by humanity in recent history. Against the long litany of war and nastiness, documented in films, photos, sculptures and soundtracks, are set the noble aims of the organisation.

During a gruesome battle for independence in northern Italy in 1859, Genevan philanthropist and businessman Henry Dunant was moved to action by the plight of dying and suffering soldiers. He made the proposal that 'some international principle, sanctioned by a convention inviolate in character...might constitute the basis for societies for the relief of the wounded'. So, formed on the back of the Geneva Convention in 1864, the International Red Cross became the world's first humanitarian organisation. Although the museum's message is supposed to be one of hope and a collective responsibility to humanity, it is the images and stories of terror that are more psychologically lasting. Despite the sombre nature of the museum it is well worth a visit.