Rapperswil-Jona Municipal Museum

The Stadtmuseum Rapperswil-Jona, the town's historical museum, occupies a group of old buildings in the upper part of Rapperswil's old town, on Herrenberg, a short walk from the castle. The setting is worth a look in itself. The museum combines a late medieval residential tower with a house dating from the late fifteenth century, and the two are joined by a modern foyer clad in bronze, so that old stone and contemporary design meet in a single route. It is a good example of how a small Swiss town can reuse historic buildings for a modern purpose without hiding their age.

The museum tells the story of Rapperswil and of Jona, which merged with Rapperswil in 2007 to form the present municipality. The permanent exhibition follows the history of the area from the foundation of the town by the counts of Rapperswil in the thirteenth century, through the centuries of trade and conflict, to the growth of industry in the nineteenth century and the development of tourism. Topics include the goldsmiths and craftspeople who worked in the old town, the role of the castle on the hill and its later use as a Polish national museum, and stories of war and changing alliances. Local families and their homes are also treated, with rooms that show how townspeople lived at different times.

One highlight for many visitors is the section on the Knie family, whose circus, the Swiss National Circus Knie, has its home base in Rapperswil. The Knies have been travelling performers for more than two centuries, and their winter quarters and a children's zoo are in the town, so the family is a part of local identity. Posters, costumes and photographs in the museum show how the circus grew from a small family act into a national institution that tours Switzerland each summer.

The museum uses films, audio stations and everyday objects to bring its themes to life, so it works for families and school groups as well as adults with a taste for local history. Large windows in some rooms look out over the roofs of the old town and across the lake, and these views give a sense of the setting that shaped the town. The galleries are not large, and a visit takes about an hour, which makes it easy to fit into a day in Rapperswil alongside the castle, the rose gardens and the lakeside promenade.

The museum has had free admission in recent years and short opening hours, usually in the afternoon on weekdays and for longer on weekends, but arrangements can change, so check the town's website before you go. Groups can sometimes arrange visits outside normal hours. It suits history readers, families and anyone curious about the town behind the pretty view. Bring a camera for the windows, and combine the visit with a walk through the lanes, ending with a coffee on the lakefront.