The eastern Swiss metropolis St.Gallen lies in a gentle valley close to Lake Constance. Its name and origin route back to the early foundation of the abbey by the itinerant monk Gallus back in 612. About 719 priest Otmar, an Alemannian, became the head of St.Gallen’s community. He expanded the clerical settlement of St.Gallus into an actual abbey and introduced the Rule of St.Benedict in 747. In the Middle Ages (9th – 11th century) St.Gallen’s abbey evolved into the most important center of knowledge north of the Alps.
In St.Gallen one comes across the past at every turn: the world-renowned bays, the cozy little alleys, the lively places with their friendly street cafes. The monumental cathedral – the heart of the seminary district – guards the modern city. Both the cathedral and the cathedral chapter were accredited as world cultural heritage in 1983 and are since then protected by the UNESCO. The abbey library ranks among the oldest and most beautiful libraries of the world. As early as in the 8th century Abbey of St. Gallen owned a notable collection of books, which rapidly increased. The library as it can be seen today has been built between 1758 and 1767.
The great past is contrasted by the city’s cosmopolitan presence. Numerous museums and a considerable cultural program with music and theater enrich today’s life in St.Gallen. The exclusive location with the close proximity to Lake Constance and the Alpstein massif provide a perfect scenic frame.
For general tourist information on St.Gallen and the Bodensee region, see:
For guides to what's on in St.Gallen and the Bodensee region, see:
Abbey Library Museum of Art, St.Gallen Museum of Nature, St.Gallen Textile Museum, St.Gallen
Beer Bottle Museum, St.Gallen Art Hall, St.Gallen Lagerhaus Museum, St.Gallen
Chocolaterie at the abbey Bamgartner Coffee Caratello Wines Regli Wines
Gambrinus Jazz Plus Grabenhalle Kugl Seeger Felix
Zurich Appenzellerland Säntis Hoher Kasten
Bregenzer See-Festspiele Market Hall Altenrhein
