Completely renovated in 2012, the town's biggest museum now sports a cool facade that's half modernist perforated bronze and half 14th-century stone tower. Inside, the wide-ranging historical and cultural artefacts span eight centuries, from the late Middle Ages to the present. Highlights include its gold collection, a late-Gothic banquet room with vibrant murals and a beautifully wood-panelled Renaissance room. For a view out across the town and lake, head up to the top floor of the tower.
Stadtmuseum Rapperswil-Jona
Canton of Zürich
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
![SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 01: Library of the monastery St. Gallen, Switzerland. 2000 hand writings, 1635 incunable and almost 100.000 books. The library was built between 1758 and 1767 und richly decorated. (Photo by Imagno/Getty Images) [St. Gallen, Schweiz: Ehemaliges Benediktiner-Kloster. Stiftsbibliothek mit 2000 Handschriften, 1635 Wiegen- und Fruehdrucken (Inkunabeln) und schliesslich 100.000 Buechern, 1758-1767 erbaut und kunstvoll ausgestattet. Stift St. Gallen: 612 Zelle des hl. Gallus, eines Gefaehrten Columbans, 719 wird durch den hl. Otmar das Kloster errichtet, das 747 die Regel Benedikts annimmt, 1805 saekularisiert.]
56463766
Abbeys, Architecture, Books, Interiors, Libraries, Photo tgg06/01](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2023-06/StiftsbibliothekStGallen.jpeg?auto=format&fit=crop&ar=1:1&q=75&w=1200)
29.5 MILES
If the greatest masterpieces on earth are wrought for the glory of God, St Gallen’s Stiftsbibliothek (Abbey Library), is like a living prayer. Religious…
26.96 MILES
You haven’t really been to Lucerne until you have strolled the creaky 14th-century Kapellbrücke, spanning the Reuss River in the Old Town. The octagonal…
16.26 MILES
This 13th-century church is renowned for its stunning stained-glass windows, designed by the Russian-Jewish master Marc Chagall (1887–1985), who executed…
7.65 MILES
Follow the crowds flowing towards this baroque edifice, the 18th-century handiwork of Caspar Moosbrugger. The interior dances with colourful frescoes,…
16.03 MILES
Zürich’s impressive fine-arts gallery boasts a rich collection of largely European art. It stretches from the Middle Ages through a mix of Old Masters to…
27.02 MILES
Lucerne’s blockbuster cultural attraction is the Sammlung Rosengart, occupying a graceful neoclassical pile in the heart of town. It showcases the…
29.67 MILES
This gorgeous little museum is an ensemble of art, architecture and botany, housing a cornucopia of French impressionist art in a stately home surrounded…
26.61 MILES
By far the most touching of the 19th-century sights that lured so many British to Lucerne is the Lion Monument. Lukas Ahorn carved this 10m-long sculpture…
Nearby Canton of Zürich attractions
0.1 MILES
Rapperswil's Old Town is dominated by the sturdy turrets of its much-photographed 13th-century castle. Climb up to its terrace for views over a jigsaw of…
0.1 MILES
Spread across the 2nd floor of medieval castle Schloss Rapperswil, this moderately interesting museum was founded in 1870 by a Polish emigrant, Count…
0.42 MILES
This enormous art space, a converted weapons arsenal with a very 21st-century wavy roof bearing the hallmark of Züricher architects Isa Stürm und Urs Wolf…
4.8 MILES
A two-hour walk north of Einsiedeln and back will bring you to the narrow, wood-covered Devil’s Bridge, built by abbey master Caspar Moosbrugger in 1699.
5. Panorama Painting of Calvary
7.47 MILES
This enormous panoramic painting depicts Christ on the cross, with explanations in 13 languages.
7.5 MILES
For a fine view over the abbey complex to the surrounding hills, wander through the monastery stables and continue uphill for 15 minutes to this statue.
7.65 MILES
Follow the crowds flowing towards this baroque edifice, the 18th-century handiwork of Caspar Moosbrugger. The interior dances with colourful frescoes,…