Collection of photographs and postcards of the Polish Museum in Rapperswil - part 4
History of the Polish Museum in Rapperswil 1868-1948
By The Polish Museum in Rapperswil
The Polish Museum in Rapperswil
History of the castle in Rapperswil
With its form, the castle in Rapperswil resembles a lot of similar medieval buildings. Erected from huge stones, it was established following an irregular plan similar to a triangle, with a courtyard in the middle and corner towers, connected by a porch suspended high up.
Postcard "Rapperswil in the Middle Ages"The Polish Museum in Rapperswil
The oldest archival mentions of the castle date back to 1229.
In spite of many different reconstructions, the structure of the castle has not undergone major alterations since the late Middle Ages.
Rapperswil Castle seen from the side of the clock tower was often presented in photographs and postcards.
Sketch "Hauptplatz in the 19th century"The Polish Museum in Rapperswil
In the late 19th century, the castle hill was ordered. The tenement house adjacent to the hill was demolished and imposing two-flight stairs with a decorative cavern in the middle were constructed in its place. Date: 1894 – present on stair crowning – informs about the moment when the works came to their end.
Postcard "Rapperswil Castle"The Polish Museum in Rapperswil
Postcard "Rapperswil Castle"The Polish Museum in Rapperswil
Fragments of stonework dating back to the late 14th century can still be found in its numerous sections, together with wooden supporting structures and ceilings from the same period.
Postcard "Rapperswil Castle"The Polish Museum in Rapperswil
Postcard "Rapperswil Castle"The Polish Museum in Rapperswil
Postcard "Rapperswil Castle"The Polish Museum in Rapperswil
In turn, the immediate vicinity of the castle was modified. Originally, it was only possible to get here using gangplanks which were drawn up in case of danger.
Postcard "Rapperswil Castle"The Polish Museum in Rapperswil
Curator of the exhibition:
Radosław Pawłowski
Text correction:
Anna Buchmann
Anna Tomczak
Digitalization of postcards and photographs:
Radosław Pawłowski
Ewa Wąsik
Digitalization of postcards and old photographs, together with the current online exhibition, were financed from the funds of the Senate of the Republic of Poland within the framework of the programme strengthening the position of Polish and Polonia communities in the countries of their residence.
Developments of texts:
A. Badach, A. Piotrowska, "Muzeum Polskie w Rapperswilu", Warszawa-Rapperswil 2008,
H. Zielińska, "Die Polnische Freiheitssäule in Rapperswil, Rapperswil 1979,
Copyright: Archiwum Muzeum Polskiego w Rapperswilu.
www.polenmuseum.ch
Translation: Translation agency JUNIQUE
