8 . T H E
R A T H
M U S E U M
PLACE DE NEUVE 1
The Rath Museum is a symbol of
Geneva ' s interest in the arts . The
prestigious cultural site , it hosts the
major temporary exhibitions of the
Museum of Art and History .
Alongside the Grand Théâtre and the
Conservatoire de musique on the
Place de Neuve , the Rath is a listed
building since 1921 . Opened to the
public in 1826 thanks to the
generosity of the Rath sisters , it was
the first museum of fine arts in
Switzerland , designed from the
outset as " a temple of the muses " to
welcome and exhibit works .
Between 1916 and 1919 , the museum
ceased its activity because of the
First World War . It was occupied by
the International Prisoners of War
Agency set up by the ICRC : it
mediated between the prisoners and
their families . An exhibition traced
this piece of local history .