Stadtmuseum Rapperswil-Jona

About the museum

The museum was founded in 1943 as a local history museum on the first and second floors of the Breny House, run by the Rapperswil tourist board. It was preceded by a broad collecting campaign that brought together many historical objects. The last owner, Heinrika Breny, bequeathed the property with its tower and connecting building to the Ortsgemeinde in 1958 on condition that it continue to be used for cultural purposes. In 1960/61 the complex was converted, and the exhibition on the city's history occupied all three parts of the building.

Because of structural and safety defects and an outdated exhibition, the Ortsgemeinde and the political municipality decided at the beginning of the 21st century to renovate the building and give it a new direction. From 2010 to 2012, following an architectural competition, the new building “Janus” with a perforated bronze façade was built; as an entrance foyer it connects the Breny House of 1492 with the medieval tower and contains rooms for temporary exhibitions and sanitary facilities. In March 2012 the renewed museum opened as the Stadtmuseum Rapperswil-Jona.

On roughly 900 square metres in eighteen rooms, the permanent exhibition tells the history of Rapperswil and Jona from the Middle Ages to the present. The collection comprises around 5,000 objects with a focus on cultural and economic history from the late Middle Ages onwards. The museum is run by the Ortsgemeinde Rapperswil-Jona.

Highlights

• Permanent exhibition on 800 years of urban and cultural history
• Ensemble of the Breny House of 1492, the medieval tower and the new building “Janus”
• Detailed model of the town of Rapperswil around 1780
• Temporary exhibitions and family programmes such as “Tiersafari” (Animal Safari)
• Lift and largely wheelchair-accessible rooms

Permanent exhibition

• 800 Jahre Stadt- und Kulturgeschichte – On roughly 900 square metres, the exhibition leads chronologically through the history of Rapperswil-Jona, from a town model of around 1780 through goldsmithing, crafts, tourism and Circus Knie to the present day.

Founded

1943

Operated by

Ortsgemeinde Rapperswil-Jona

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Saturday of the month free

Free admission with Swiss Museum Pass, Raiffeisen card and VMS/ICOM card. The museum is a TiM museum and welcomes TiM tandems (www.tim-tam.ch).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• 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 museum has a lift, is accessible for people with disabilities and is largely wheelchair accessible; further information in the Procap ZugangsMonitor. As a TiM museum, it welcomes tandems of visually impaired and sighted people.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations

Family programmes without registration: “Tiersafari” (Animal Safari) with a map and animal cards, “Abenteuer im Museum” (Adventure in the Museum) as a detective and puzzle game with an accompanying booklet, and “Der Hund und die Taube” (The Dog and the Dove) about Roman Kempraten with costumes and weapons. The exhibition offers interactive elements for children and adults.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop at the ticket desk sells the museum's publications (no mail order).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

A historic hall or the terrace can be hired for receptions; tables and chairs are provided, and hirers arrange catering themselves.

Plan your visit