Dear Friends of the Polish Museum,
The time has come for us to temporarily close the Museum in its present form. This is not a farewell, however, but the beginning of a new chapter in its 156-year history.
First and foremost, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your longstanding support, trust, and friendship. It is thanks to you that we are able to continue our mission of preserving and promoting Polish history and culture in Switzerland.
A major undertaking now lies ahead of us. Beginning in October 2026, we will start the renovation and preparations for the opening of the new Polish Museum in Rapperswil. Its new home will be the historic Burghof building on the town square, in the former premises of the Museum’s library. Although the new Museum will be considerably smaller than its former home in the Castle, it will preserve what matters most: its mission, its independence, and its unique character.
This will allow us to continue the uninterrupted 156-year tradition of the Polish Museum in Rapperswil. Our collections will remain in our care. As far as our circumstances allow—particularly in terms of available exhibition space—we will continue to make them accessible to the public, in accordance with the wishes of our founders, benefactors, and donors.
We are carrying out this project independently, without support from Polish state institutions, even though safeguarding Poland’s cultural heritage abroad should be one of their fundamental responsibilities. This makes the solidarity and support of those who have stood by our Museum over the years all the more meaningful.
We are staying in Rapperswil—the city that has been home to the Polish Museum for 156 years. Even at this particularly difficult moment for us, Rapperswil has opened its doors to us and made it possible for us to continue our work. The city remains a symbol of the longstanding friendship and close ties between Poland and Switzerland.
Although the new Museum will occupy a much smaller space, our goal is to create an open, modern, and vibrant institution—a place where visitors can encounter Polish history, culture, and art.
Our motto, “Magna Res Libertas” – “Liberty is a Great Thing,” will continue to define our identity and guide our work.
From September onwards, we will remain in close contact with you primarily through our online channels. We will keep you informed about the progress of the renovation and preparations for the opening of the new Museum, while continuing to share the stories of our collections and our ongoing activities.
The Museum is changing, but its mission remains the same.
Please stay with us. As we begin this new chapter in our history, we continue to need your support. With their consent, we will publish the names of all those who choose to support us on our website as an expression of our gratitude.
We look forward to welcoming you to the new Polish Museum in Rapperswil!
Your support is especially meaningful at this important moment in the Museum’s history – below you will find a QR code and our bank account details, which you can use to make a donation.
Account number
Contributions should be directed to:
Kontoinhaber: Freunde des Polenmuseums
Bank: Bank Linth LLB AG, 8640 Rapperswil
Konto: 1256722018
IBAN: CH92 0873 1001 2567 2201 8
Swift: LINSCH23