Sunday May 25th 2025 : Open 10am - 5pm

Take a virtual tour of the Museum

A history of the Reformation

Discover

Share this page on social networks:

 The Reformation was a religious revolution that began in Geneva, among other places, in the 16th century, between the years 1520 and 1540. It has had a major influence on religion, society, the economy and culture over the past five centuries.

The International Museum of the Reformation is the only secular museum in the world dedicated to the history of the Reformation. Paintings, objects, books, engravings and audiovisual features are available for your perusal in 12 vibrant rooms. Highlights of the newly renovated exhibition space include two paintings of Luther by Lucas Cranach, a letter written by Calvin and one by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

You’re in for a remarkable cultural experience, delivered to you in your choice of ten languages in this charming 18th-century mansion.

In 2007, the Museum won the Council of Europe Museum Prize, a prestigious distinction awarded annually since 1977 to a museum that has made a significant contribution to the understanding of European cultural heritage.

Permanent exhibition spaces

Wars of religion
Room 2

Wars of religion

2023-09-11 05:12:30

Learn more
Icons
Room 3

Icons

2023-09-11 05:12:36

Learn more
Geneva and Calvin
Room 4

Geneva and Calvin

2023-09-11 05:12:39

Learn more
Expansion
Room 6

Expansion

2023-09-11 05:12:44

Learn more
244 Bibles
Room 7

244 Bibles

2023-09-11 05:12:46

Learn more
Products of Protestantism
Room 8

Products of Protestantism

2023-09-11 05:12:49

Learn more
Reformation
Room 1

Reformation

2023-09-11 05:13:13

Learn more
Music room
Room 7

Music room

2023-09-11 05:14:10

Learn more

Take a virtual tour of the Museum

Understanding the Reformation in seven minutes

The animated film below provides you with a seven-minute summary of the Reformation and its main figures. Several works from the permanent collection feature in the film, bringing the story to life. The film can also be viewed in the Museum entrance.




Prepare your visit Ticketing Take a virtual tour of the Museum

Visite guidée de «Voir l’invisible» par Lucienne Peiry

Visite guidée de l’exposition «Voir l’invisible» par sa commissaire Lucienne Peiry Samedi 17 m...

Registration
All events

The Treasures of MIR

trésors du MIR : Collection of founding texts
Treasures

Collection of founding texts

14 prestigious testimonies from the beginnings of the Reformation. T...

Read more
trésors du MIR : The scripture chopping machine
Treasures

The scripture chopping machine

A caricature by Wolfgang-Adam Töpffer In this caricature, Töpff...

Read more
trésors du MIR : Portrait of Martin Luther by Lucas Cranach
Treasures

Portrait of Martin Luther by Lucas Cranach

The effigies of Luther painted by Lucas Cranach le Vieux, who was his ...

Read more
trésors du MIR : Piece signed Henri III of France to Nicolas de Harlay
Treasures

Piece signed Henri III of France to Nicolas de Harlay

The MIR has, in its collection, this exceptional letter signed by King...

Read more
trésors du MIR : Luther's Bible
Treasures

Luther's Bible

This Bible by Martin Luther, printed in Wittenberg in 1550 (the first ...

Read more
trésors du MIR : Adam names the animals
Treasures

Adam names the animals

Here is an illustration taken from a splendid work that the MIR has i...

Read more
trésors du MIR : The St. Bartholomew's Day massacre
Treasures

The St. Bartholomew's Day massacre

A central painting in the history of Protestantism. Founding work fo...

Read more
trésors du MIR : Psalms translated into French by Marot and Bèze
Treasures

Psalms translated into French by Marot and Bèze

This delightful little work contains four texts constituting the compl...

Read more
trésors du MIR : Letter from John Calvin to Guillaume Farel
Treasures

Letter from John Calvin to Guillaume Farel

Among a number of exceptional documents, the MIR presents this importa...

Read more
trésors du MIR : Caricatures of Calvin
Treasures

Caricatures of Calvin

Pen sketches made on the flyleaves of a small work by the theologian R...

Read more