Schloss Rapperswil

About the museum

The castle was built between 1220 and 1230 on a rocky spur above Lake Zurich. The builder was Vogt (bailiff) Rudolf von Rapperswil, who soon rose to the rank of count; the town grew at the foot of the castle. After the Zurich Mordnacht (Night of Murder) of 1336, the castle and town were conquered and burned in the winter of 1350 by troops of Rudolf Brun. Duke Albrecht II of Austria had both rebuilt. In 1442, after the Habsburg-Laufenburg line died out, the castle fell to the city, which in 1464 broke away from the Habsburgs and joined the Swiss Confederation. Until 1798 the Confederate governors (Schirmvögte) resided here.

In the 19th century the castle took on a new significance for Poles in exile: in 1870 the Polish emigrant Władysław Plater opened the first Polish national museum here and thus saved the complex from demolition. The Polish Museum (Polenmuseum), which was housed in the castle with interruptions until recently, is preparing a smaller new site in the castle courtyard and is listed here as a separate museum.

Today's exhibition “Schloss Rapperswil – Geschichte(n) erleben” is run by the local municipality of Rapperswil-Jona (according to museums.ch, since 2024). The tour takes about 1 to 1½ hours and leads along the wall walk, through the Pulverturm and the Gügelerturm, and into the rooms of the Palas. It tells stories from seven centuries, with a particular focus on the Habsburgs and the Poles in the castle. The Great Knights' Hall also serves as a concert hall (“Kultursonntag”), and the Small Knights' Hall as a wedding room. In the summer half-year there is a small buvette in front of the castle with a view of the lake.

Highlights

• Exhibition “Geschichte(n) erleben” on more than 700 years of castle history
• Tour of the wall walk, Pulverturm, Gügelerturm and Palas
• History of the Habsburgs and of the Poles in the castle
• Great Knights' Hall with concerts on “Kultursonntag” (Culture Sunday)
• Castle courtyard freely accessible, buvette with a view of Lake Zurich

Permanent exhibition

• Schloss Rapperswil – Geschichte(n) erleben – A journey through more than 700 years of castle history, with stories from the centuries and a particular focus on the Habsburgs and the Poles in the castle. The tour leads through the wall walk, Pulverturm, Gügelerturm and Palas.

Founded

2024

Operated by

Ortsgemeinde Rapperswil-Jona (Betrieb Schloss)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free with the Swiss Museum Pass, the Raiffeisen Card, the Swiss Travel Pass, and for children under 6. Tickets are available in the castle foyer or at the Visitor Center on Fischmarktplatz. Payment can be made in cash, by card or by TWINT.

Accessibility

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

Due to its location and historic structure, the castle is only partly accessible, and the way up is steep. The exhibition is wheelchair-accessible except for the Gügelerturm. A stairlift and a ceiling lift are operated by castle staff. Persons with limited mobility may drive up to the castle gate with permission from Betrieb Schloss (the castle operating company); there are no accessible parking spaces. The exhibition is not suitable for blind and visually impaired visitors (no Braille labels), and there is no induction loop.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

For school classes (3rd and 4th grade) there is the workshop “Hochwächter gesucht!” about the Hochwächter (watchman), who for centuries kept watch over the town from the castle. Children under 6 have free admission, and family rates are available.

Getting there & parking

The Visitor Center on Fischmarktplatz (Fischmarktstrasse 16) is also the postal address of Betrieb Schloss. The walk to the castle is steep.

Amenities & dining

• Café

Buvette in front of the castle with room for 15 guests and a view of Lake Zurich, from April to October in good weather. Eating and drinking are not permitted on the castle grounds, and dogs, including small ones, are not allowed.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 200 guests.

Available for rent: Schlossplatz, the Schlosshof, the Kräutergarten, the Gaststube, the Grafenstube, the Burghalle, the Kleiner Rittersaal and the Grosser Rittersaal (up to 200 people, 199 seats). The Kleiner Rittersaal is the wedding room of the civil registry district (30 guests). Catering is handled exclusively by Schloss Rapperswil Gastro GmbH.

Plan your visit