The history of 20 Rue Verdaine

All of you who have ever visited Bourg-de-Four square in Geneva’s old town will surely remember the fountain in the middle of the square. It is a fantastic place to play, and from the edge of the fountain you have a unique view over the entire square, which slopes steeply down towards the lake to Rue Verdaine and Rue de la Fontaine. The two streets fork at the foot of the square, and in the middle stands a beautiful old house surrounded by a stone wall and a wrought-iron gate. Most of you will not even know that it is a church! You may not believe it, but this house is 250 years old and has seen a great deal of adventure. And the story I want to tell you goes even further back in time. The Bourg-de-Four square existed long before the house at 20 Rue Verdaine was built.