Logo of the new museum

Geneva: New International Museum Of The Reformation Opened

Geneva/Switzerland | 18.04.2005 | APD | International

The new International Museum of the Reformation has opened its door in Geneva on April 15, 2005. Located in the beautiful Maison Mallet, built on the site where the citizens of Geneva voted to adopt the Reformation in 1536, the museum retraces the major events that contributed to the foundation, and the divisions, of a movement whose influence is still felt all over the globe.

The inauguration of the Museum of the Reformation marks the completion of a much-awaited project in the history of Protestant Geneva. Until this day, the city had no museum commemorating a period that changed the course of history for the so-called "Protestant Rome". First launched by Pastor Max Dominicé in the early 1960s, the idea of creating an International Museum of the Reformation was revived and carried to completion by Prof. Olivier Fatio, the project leader and chairman of the International Museum of the Reformation Foundation.

Maison Mallet

The new museum offers a permanent exhibition on two levels, starting with the eleven rooms on the ground floor, dedicated to "the Reformation from 1536 to the present day" through 12 thematic exhibition spaces, including the cafeteria, and continuing in the basement, where a number of displays complement a room devoted to the 20th century.

The budget of 4.1 million Swiss Francs for the building and launch of the Museum were sourced entirely from private funds, in particular thanks to a large donation from Banque Pictet & Cie, one of the largest private banks in Switzerland today, which is celebrating its bicentennial in 2005.

The museum receives no public subsidies. According to the Director, Isabelle Graesslé, the museum expects about 35,000 visitors each year from all over the world.

Further information on the new museum are available on the Web: www.musee-reforme.ch

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