Reformation Wall (Mur des RĂ©formateurs) is the international monument to the Reformation the great leaders of the Christian Reformation. The monument is located in Geneva Switzerland. The monument also includes important events and documents that changed the world as we know it today. The monument was built in 1909 for John Calvin’s 400th birthday.
Built into the old city walls of Geneva, the Reformation Wall overlooks the Parc des Bastions. Just a stone’s throw from the magnificent Place de Neuve in an exceptionally beautiful setting, the major figures of the Protestant Reformation are depicted as giant statues and bas-reliefs.
Separate on the left of the wall is a stone with Martin Luther’s name carved in it and separate to the right of the Wall is a stone with Huldrych Zwingli’s name carved in it. These stones are not a part of the wall because both Luther and Zwingli did begin the Reformed the church, only contributed to the reformation.
Behind the statues runs the motto shared by the Reformation and Geneva: Post Tenebras Lux (“After Darkness, Light”)
HuguenotFellowship.org – The Reformers on the Statue
In the middle of the wall are the following main reformation leaders.
The main statues in the middle of the wall
The main statues in the center of the Reformation Monuments are William Farel, John Calvin, Theodore Beza, and John Knox.
William Farel (1489–1565)
Founder of the Reformed Church in Neuchâtel, Berne, Geneva, and Vaud in Switzerland. He worked together with John Calvin to train missionaries across Europe.
John Calvin (1509–1564)
He mainly influenced Presbyterian Church doctrine and Reformed theology. He began “Systematic Theology” with his book Institutes of the Christian Religion. John Calvin wrote one of the largest set of Bible commentaries during his time. He trained and sent missionaries across Europe.
Theodore Beza (1519–1605)
He was a disciple of John Calvin and later became John Calvin’s successor in Geneva. He further spread Reformed theology in France.
John Knox (c.1513–1572)
He studied under John Calvin after being declared an outlaw in England by Queen “Bloody” Mary. He later founded the Presbyterian church in Scotland.
Statues to the left of the main monument
To the left of the middle statues are three smaller statues of William the Silent, Gaspard de Coligny, and Frederick William of Brandenburg.
Gaspard de Coligny (1519 – 1572)
He was a French nobleman and admiral who lead the French Huguenot during the French Wars of Religion. He provided support and refuge for reformed protestants and helped those under religious persecution to escape.
William the Silent (1533 – 1584)
Also known as William the 1st of Orange was the major proponent of the Dutch war against the Spanish which led to the Eighty Years War between 1568–1648. The northern Low Countries declarated independence from the Spanish king on July 26th, 1581.
Frederick William of Brandenburg (1620 – 1688)
“Creator of the Brandenburg Tolerance Edict giving equal rights to Lutherans and Calvinists and the Potsdam Edict giving safety of passage to Brandenburg-Prussia to Huguenots after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1620-1688).” (BiblicalGeographic.com – Reformation Wall, Geneva, SWITZERLAND)
Statues to the right of the main monument
To the right of the middle statues are three smaller statues of Roger Williams, Oliver Cromwell, and Stephen Bocskay.
Roger Williams (1603 – 1684)
He was an English Particular Baptist theologian that helped establish religious freedom and the separation of church and state. He founded the Providence Plantation colony in 1636 which was a baptist and other religious minority safe haven.
Oliver Cromwell (1599 – 1657)
He was a “independent” puritan that became a dictator called the “Protectorate” in the British Isles between 1553 to 1558. He was a major proponent in the English Civil war and was a part of the establishment a commonwealth in England instead of a Royalty.
Stephen Bocskay (1557 – 1607)
He was a Hungarian Noble who was a Calvinist protestant. He went to war against the Habsburg Holy Roman Emperor’s who tried to force Roman Catholicism on Hungary. He promoted the religious freedom for Hungary and Transylvania in the Treaty of Vienna in 1606.
Carved Reliefs in the Wall
The following quotes are from BiblicalGeographic.com. “Along the wall are also reliefs depicting:”
“An inscription commemorating Geneva’s official acceptance of the Reformation, 21 May 1536.”
An inscription 1559Â the year John Knox returned to Scotland
An inscription stating Geneva maintained its independence from Savoy in December 12th 1602
“Preaching of the Reformation to the people of Geneva in the presence of envoys from Bern. To the left is an inscription of the Lord’s Prayer in French.”
“King Henry IV (of Navarre) signing the Edict of Nantes (1598), which ended the Wars of Religion in France.”
“John Knox preaching against Queen Mary Stuart from his pulpit in St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh. Above is an inscription of the Lord’s Prayer in English.”
Bocskay saluted for achieving victory
“Roger Williams and the Pilgrim Fathers praying on the Mayflower as it sails to America. Above is an inscription of the Mayflower Compact (1620).”
“The British Parliament presenting the Bill of Rights, an act declaring the rights and liberties of the subjects, also the settling the succession of the crown, to William and Mary, Prince and Princess of Orange in 1689.”
References
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia – Reformation Wall
tripadvisor.com – Reformation Wall (Mur de la Reformation)
Sacred-Destinatiopns.com – Switzerland – Geneva Reformation Wall
HuguenotFellowship.org – History The Reformers on the Statue
Biblical Geographic – Reformation Wall, Geneva, SWITZERLAND
Witness, Mercy, Life Together wmltblog.org – Reformation in Geneva