St Gallen Switzerland - The City of Architecture
St Gallen Switzerland originated from the hermitage from around 612 of the Irish traveling monk Gallus. The metropolis of east Switzerland is located in the mountainous hinterland of Lake Constance. The pretty Old Town, the world famous Baroque Cathedral with the Abbey Library and a lively cultural scene certainly make St Gallen Switzerland worth a visit.The Baroque Cathedral with the Abbey Library has been listed as an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. The Abbey Library houses more than 140,000 documents, some that are hand-written and are over a thousand years old. You have to see the library which has by far the most beautiful Rococo hall of Switzerland. 
The Benedictine's convent was founded under abbot Othmar in the 8th-century and experienced its highest boom from the 9th up to the 11th-century. The school and the library became together with the island of Reichenau the cultural centre of European meaning. From 1206 up to 1805, the abbots were imperial princes. In the 10th-century, St Gallen Switzerland developed into a city from a craftsmen settlement that resulted from the convent.In 1454, the town formed an alliance with the confederation and freed itself from the convent three years later. From the 16th-century on blossomed the linen- and cotton weaving. Than at the end of the 18th-century the home embroidery developed into a significant export industry. Today, St Gallen Switzerland is the seventh largest Swiss city and the economic centre point in the eastern part of our country with nearly 60,000 workplaces. Internationally respectable is the university which focuses on economy, law and social sciences.
The Voralpen-Express connects Lake Constance with Lucerne via St Gallen Switzerland in 2 and a half hours. This 149 km (92,58 miles) long transversal train trip through the foothills of the Alps impresses with beautiful landscapes such as Lake Zurich, the Toggenburg and the hill moor of Rothenturm. Place of Interest in St Gallen Switzerland Cathedral The marvelous cathedral is the main work of south German baroque and of the Vorarlberger construction master Johann Michael Beer von Bildstein. In the planning involved were also master builder Johann Caspar Bagnato and Peter Tumb. It was built between 1755 and 1767. The inside of the church is decorated with stucco works, opulently painted and richly furnished with carvings. Excellent art works are the historical organ and the choir area with its 84 superbly carved seats. The tableau program is the expression of a magnificent theological thought construction which means that no picture, no stucco work and carving is coincidental. Abbey Library and Lapidarium The current library room was built between 1758 and 1767 under the direction of the Bregenzerwald construction master Peter Thumb. The stucco works were done by the Gigl brothers and the ceiling paintings by Joseph Wannenmacher. The Abbey library is no doubt one of the oldest and most beautiful libraries worldwide. An impressive collection of books could be traced back as early as the 8th-century. Especially very valuable are the 2,000 manuscripts from the boom period of the convent. In addition there is also a collection of rare early prints that totals 1,635 volumes. The most precious book is the "Psalterium Aureum" from around 860, a Carolingian master piece, which is completely written with gold ink and is delightfully illustrated. To the most significant books belong the "Casus Monasterii Sancti Galli" (around 1200) which tells the history of the convent, the "Abrogans manuscripts (around 770) and the oldest German book, which is a Latin-Old High German dictionary of synonyms. The library is open daily. For information call 071 227 34 15. Karlstor (Karl's Gate The Karlstor (Karl's Gate) is located on the east of the Abbey District and was built 1569/70. From the former eleven gates, only the Karlstor has been left over in the southern part of the Old Town of St Gallen Switzerland. It was named after the Archbishop of Milan Carlo Borromeo. The Canton emergency call centre was built in 1996 to 1999 by Santiago Calatrava to the north-east of the Karlstor which is connected to it. Art & Architecture in St Gallen St Gallen Switzerland has become an UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site featuring a stunning synthesis of tradition and progress. It tells of the growth of monastic splendor in the Old Town and is evidence of medieval civic pride. At the end of the 19th-century, the embroidery boom sparked an enthusiasm for building to high artistic standards. This resulted in palatial factories and Art-Nouveau-style villas as well as museums. However, there are also works that accentuate modern architecture, for example buildings such as the "Mussel" by Santiago Calatrava or the imposing Herzog & de Meuron building at Rosenberg. Gallery Paul Hafner The Gallery Paul Hafner shows young, international contemporary art like paintings, drawings, installations and photography. Some of the local artists of the gallery are well known, among others Julia Bornefeld, Marianne Rinderknecht, Karin Schwarzbek, Adalbert Fässler, Tobias Pils, Ronald Kodritsch, Ulrich Langenbach and Michael Kienzer. Opening Hours: Wed. - Fri. 14:00 - 18:00 / Sat. 11:00 - 17:00 Abtwil Säntispark The "Abtwil Säntispark" is a many-facetted leisure and water park with wave pool, water slide, bride baths and a sauna village. If you have children, why not spend an afternoon or an entire day at the Säntispark? The small town of Abtwil is only a few minutes from downtown St Gallen Switzerland. Säntis It takes about a half an hour from St Gallen Switzerland and one hour from Lake Constance to drive up to the Schwägalp. There is lots of parking space available on the Schwägalp where you will see many cows with their bells grazing during the summer time. From the Schwägalp, a cable car takes you up to the Säntis mountain at an altitude of 2,502 m (8,209 ft) in the Alpstein rambling paradise. The look-out point offers stunning views of the Alpenkranz (crown of Alps) and into six countries. The Best Restaurants in St Gallen Switzerland Jägerhof Gourmet Chef Vreni Giger dances since years with unbroken passion and creativity like a virtuoso on the highest rope of the Bio cuisine. At the front, Simone Lanz understands with her team to transmit the joys of gourmet chef Vreni to the guests. Even if you have to reach deeply into the valet, a visit to the Jägerhof is worth it - for the palate, eyes and heart. Am Gallusplatz The "Gallusplatz" maintained its tradition and when sitting at the cultivated dining room, one thinks to have moved back to old times. The family Sistek also maintained the typical classical cuisine. The products are high-class and thus prepared that the own taste of the ingredients is just right. By the way; the specialty of the restaurant is crayfish tartar. Netts Schützengarten First I like to make a compliment for the excellent service provided by Roos Nett, who leads a team whose appearance was simple great. A praise also to the food, we liked the terrine from asparagus and salmon on sauerkraut and radish, crowned with a large grilled shrimp. Our evening was crowned with the desert. We had strawberry parfait with crunchy pistachios, fresh berries and a yoghurt foam with peppermint taste. And to drink, we had a bottle of Cabernet-Sauvignon wine. Thuri's Blumenau Gourmet chef Thuri Maag is and remains a magician. He cooks with fresh products from the region tastefully excellent and always very surprising. And on the plates he always arranges small new art works with beguiling smells. Actually, this restaurant is located in the Canton of Thurgau but close enough to the city of St Gallen Switzerland. The cost for lunch or dinner is about 80 to 120 Swiss Francs. St. Pelagius The restaurant St. Pelagius is situated on top of a hill from where you have a splendid view over Lake Constance. The way to get there takes you over little side streets which aren't quite uncomplicated to find. Watch out if you decide to dine outside because the garden is bit shady and windy. And nevertheless, many faithful guests make a pilgrimage regularly to the Pelagi mountain, not only for the pretty views. Luxury Hotels in St Gallen Switzerland Sorry, there are no 5-star hotels in St Gallen. There are a few very good hotels that I can recommend. But understand that they haven't the luxury standards that are expected by some guests. Therefore many guests visiting St. Gallen Switzerland prefer staying in a hotel in Zurich Switzerland which is only one hour away. Radisson SAS Hotel The Radisson SAS may not be a 5-star hotel but it is the newest and most modern in St Gallen Switzerland. It is located close to the central train station and the historic Old Town. Also close by is the Grand Casino of St Gallen which offers a wealth of entertainment. The hotel offers 108 rooms and 12 spacious junior suites, all with air conditioning and Wireless Internet Access. You have also access to saunas and a beauty clinic as well as a fitness area. Hotel Einstein The Einstein Hotel originates from the textile manufacturer Isaak Einstein who acquired the building in 1884. Today after years of renovation, the hotel offers 65 standard rooms, 48 luxury suites, one fine dining restaurant, an English bar as well as seminar and banquet facilities. If you desire, a hotel limousine can pick you up at the airport or wherever. Hotel Walhalla The Hotel Walhalla is ideally located directly across the main train station and only two blocks away from the main shopping area. I personally don't think that it qualifies as a good business hotel nor is it for high-end guests. The breakfast buffet which is served from 06:00 to 10:30 is kind of lean. And after 21:00, you can hardly get a good meal. However, the rooms are modernly decorated and not too small. My advise, choose another hotel if available. Hotel Gallo Garni The 4-star Hotel Gallo Garni offers all the comfort in good quality atmosphere. It is close to the Trade Fair and Congress Centre and near the historic Old Town. The hotel is very small with only 24 elegantly furnished guest rooms. But it has all you need to make your stay very comfortable. A single room is from 160 to 175 Swiss Francs and a double room goes from 220 to 240 Swiss Francs. Zurich Hotels Baur au Lac The Baur au Lac is the ultimate in luxury, comfort and with the most modern amenities in the best location in Zurich. It is residing in its own private park on the shore of Lake Zurich and at the beginning of the fashionable Bahnhofstrasse - Zurich's famous shopping and business district. This is not just a place to feel at home but also a veritable residence. Widder Hotel Dolder Grand Hotel A landmark of Zurich, conveniently situated in the residence quarter and surrounded from a splendid park. The Dolder is only a few minutes from the city centre away. The use of transportation and sports facilities including the 9-hole golf course is free of charge for hotel guests. Just like the fantastic view over Lake Zurich, the city and the Swiss Alps. Note: I haven't been to the Dolder Hotel for quite some time. The hotel opened again at the end of March 2008 since its complete renovation. I will write a review about the Dolder very soon. Eden au Lac The Eden au Lac is a luxury, fully air-conditioned hotel, directly at the Lake promenade and only a few steps from the opera. In this small town-palace with very nice suites, feeling fine is really no problem. Individual and personal service at the highest level is natural at the hotel as well as at the matching restaurant Eden. Return from St Gallen Switzerland to Swiss Cities Return from St Gallen Switzerland to High-End-Travel-Switzerland Home Page
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St Gallen Switzerland became the capital of the newly created canton of the same name in 1803.
The renowned "Mummenschanz" theatre group offers a diverse cultural life with theatres and museums. The "Dreilinden-Weiher", a romantic art-nouveau open-air pool which provides pretty views over the town attracts many visitors to swim. St Gallen is also the best starting point for excursions because of its excellent location close to Lake Constance and the Appenzellerland with the Säntis mountain. 