Geneva, Switzerland December 12, Year 1602:

Another portrait in this series.

The celebrations take place in the picturesque old part of the city of Geneva, a delightful maze of narrow climbing streets and august buildings culminating in the towers and spires of the Cathédrale de St-Pierre.

The festival of l'Escalade (the climb) is Geneva's favourite annual celebration, commemorating the defeat of the surprise attack by troops of the Duke of Savoy in the early morning hours of 12 December 1602.

Tradition gives credit for the foiled attack to the dropping of a large cauldron #marmite) of hot soup by a townswoman on the head of an unlucky assailant, killing him and creating a commotion that raised the alarm. On the night of the celebration the old city is filled with citizens in period dress, with fifes and drums parades, firing of muskets, singing, and historical re-enactments. A great weekend of activities.