Join some of the many thousands of visitors each year who come to admire the majesty of the United Nations European Headquarters. Set aside a few hours to explore this important institution and to enjoy the elegant monuments set in surrounding Ariana Park.
Take a tour of this historic building that has hosted gatherings of world leaders since its construction shortly after World War II. Learn about the history of global cooperation, which began with the League of Nations and exists today as the United Nations.
Visit the various chambers and the enormous Assembly Hall, the Palais des Nations. See where heated debates and globally significant agreements are made. Guides are happy to inform you about the history of the institution and current issues being dealt with by the United Nations.
The headquarters also houses a large collection of artworks that illustrate the goals of global equality and diversity. Look for notable artworks in the Human Rights and Alliance of Civilizations Room by famed artist Miqel Barceló, or the murals in the Council Chamber, painted by José Maria Sert.
After exploring the buildings, talk a walk around the surrounding Ariana Park. This lush 46-hectare (1140-acre) landscape is home to 800 species of trees and a population of peacocks. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and see monuments such as the Celestial Sphere, built in 1939 to commemorate the foundation of the League of Nations. Visit the Ariana Museum, a charming neoclassical building which houses an impressive collection of ceramics.
The United Nations European Headquarters is open weekdays year-round and on Saturdays in summer. Tours are available for a small fee and are available in 15 different languages. Centrally located, the headquarters is easily accessed by bus, tram or train. Be sure to bring valid personal identification for entry.
