Musée de l'Ordre de Malte

About the museum

The museum is located in the commandery of Compesières in the municipality of Bardonnex, about ten kilometres from Geneva. Until 1792 it was the main seat of the Geneva branch of the Knights Hospitaller, or Order of Malta. The Foundation of the Museum of the Compesières Commandery was established in 1973 to preserve, organise, expand and promote the collection on the Order of Malta at this site; since December 1993 it has been supported by a circle of friends.

The collection tells of the hospitaller and military history of the Sovereign Order of Malta and its present-day activities. Uniforms, paintings, manuscripts, orders and decorations, and a significant coin collection bring to life the era of the knights, who were regarded as the “shield of Christendom” in the Mediterranean while also caring for the sick. There are also testimonies to the region and the commanderies, such as a Baroque monstrance and a painted 15th-century cross from a former outlying branch of the commandery.

On display are, among other things, coins from Rhodes, views of Rhodes and Valletta, a 17th-century statuette of a commander and a letter from King Francis I to the Geneva syndics. The museum can only be visited as part of guided visits.

Highlights

• Collection on the hospitaller and military history of the Order of Malta
• Uniforms, manuscripts, orders and coins from Rhodes
• Baroque monstrance and painted 15th-century cross
• Historic Compesières commandery near Geneva

Permanent exhibition

• Sammlung zum Malteserorden – Uniforms, paintings, manuscripts, orders and decorations, and a large coin collection tell of the hospitaller and military history of the Order and of the Compesières commandery.

Founded

1973

Operated by

Fondation du Musée de la Commanderie de Compesières

Admission & discounts

CHF 20 per person for the guided visit. Members of the circle of friends visit the museum free of charge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The commandery and museum are not accessible to people with reduced mobility (stone staircase with 34 steps).

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit