History

1192

According to the inscription in the mural painting of the benefactors in the chapel, Count Diethelm V. of Toggenburg bequeaths the commandery of Bubikon to the Knights Hospitaller in Jerusalem.

1215

The dispute over the land donated to the commandery between the noble families of Rapperswil and Toggenburg comes to an end with the joint re-foundation of the commandery by both families, captured by the painting of the benefactors.

1287

The commandery of Bubikon acquires the barony of Wädenswil.

1291

The crusades come to an end after the fall of Acre in Palestine.

1303

The Knights Hospitaller transfer their headquarters to the Island of Rhodes.

1408

The city state of Zurich acquires the barony of Grüningen and thereby jurisdiction over the territory of the commandery of Bubikon that included Hinwil, Ringwil, Grüt and further rights and territory all over the present-day Canton of Zurich.

1428

The revenues of Bubikon are transferred to the court of the Grand Prior of the German province of the order, residing in Heitersheim. He is represented in Bubikon by a governor.

1430

Grand Prior Count Hugo of Montfort-Bregenz extends the buildings of the commandery by a great hall for the provincial chapter, now the «Hall of Knights».

1522

The Knights Hospitaller lose Rhodes to the Turks.

1525

The peasants and serfs of Bubikon and the surrounding area rebel against the authorities. They are motivated by the religious reform movement. The commandery is pillaged and the chapel desecrated.

1528

Johannes Stumpf, prior of the convent of the commandery, introduces the reformation to Bubikon. The city of Zurich puts all the orders’ possessions within its territory under state control. The convent of the commandery is dissolved.

1530

The Knights Hospitaller transfer their headquarters to the island of Malta; hence the new name «Knights of Malta».

1532

The city state of Zurich has to return Bubikon to the Grand Prior in Heitersheim. As a compromise a citizen of Zurich is installed as governor, the subjects of the commandery are allowed to remain protestant and the order even finances protestant pastors in its churches.

1570

Grand Prior Adam of Schwalbach has the last extensions to the commandery of Bubikon built in the Renaissance style.

1739

Governor Johann Kaspar Escher has the main hall of the commander decorated with paintings that show Bubikon, the surrounding areas and seats of government in the city state of Zurich.

1789

The commandery owns about 0.7 km² of agricultural land as property or fief, the rights of low justice over Bubikon, Ringwil, Hinwil and Grüt, the right of collation for the parishes of Bubikon, Hinwil and Wald as well as more rights, tithes and income from 268 serfs living in 46 hamlets and 24 smallholdings.

1789

The Knights of Malta sell the commandery with all its lands and feudal rights to Hans Georg Escher. The buildings and the manorial farm change owners frequently during the 19^th century. The ownership is split up between different farmers so that eventually the former commandery and its buildings are shared between several owners and their tenants.

1936

The male choir of Bubikon collect money to renovate the dilapidated buildings by performing plays about the crusades in an open air theatre in the commandery’s courtyard. As a result the «Ritterhausgesellschaft Bubikon (RHG)» is founded, a society to restore and protect the former commandery of Bubikon.

1938

The society manages to buy most of the buildings of the former commandery and begins renovation works.

1941

The museum opens within the first renovated parts of the house.

1960

The renovation is completed. The former commandery of Bubikon is put under federal protection.

1991

A new renovation cycle starts with the renewal of the former chapel until 1995.

1999

The renovated museum opens to the public.

2009

The complete renovation of the buildings’ façade begins.

2011

The herb garden is opened to the public.