St. Gallen Cathedral: A Baroque Masterpiece
Explore St. Gallen Cathedral, a stunning Baroque landmark and UNESCO World Heritage site with rich history and architectural grandeur.
St. Gallen Cathedral, or Kathedrale St. Gallus und Otmar, is a Roman Catholic church in the city of St. Gallen, Switzerland. Part of the Abbey of St. Gall, it has been the cathedral of the Diocese of St. Gallen since 1847. The cathedral stands where the Irish monk Gall built his hermitage in 612. The current cathedral, constructed between 1755 and 1767, is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Designed by Peter Thumb, it features a twin-tower façade painted in a pastel pink hue. The interior is adorned with stucco work, frescoes, and gold leaf detailing. The ceilings, painted by Josef Wannenmacher, depict a Benedictine heaven. The cathedral houses nine bells in its two towers, with the south tower containing the seven smaller bells and the north tower holding the two bourdon bells. The south altar features a bell brought back by Saint Gall himself from Ireland, one of the three oldest surviving bells in Europe. The crypt, dating back to the 9th century, is believed to house the tomb of Saint Gallus, with a relic of his skull preserved in a reliquary. Together with the Abbey Library and Abbey Archives, the cathedral forms the core of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors can explore the cathedral with an audio guide or take part in themed tours.
Local tips
- Visit during the week to avoid crowds and experience a more peaceful atmosphere.
- Check the official website for any updates or changes to opening hours before planning your visit.
- Don't miss the oldest bell in Switzerland, located on the right side of the altar behind an iron grid.
- Take a guided tour to gain deeper insights into the history and artistic details of the cathedral.
A brief summary to St. Gallen Cathedral
- Klosterhof, St Gallen, 9000, CH
- +41712240550
- Visit website
- Monday 7 am-6 pm
- Tuesday 7 am-6 pm
- Wednesday 7 am-6 pm
- Thursday 7 am-6 pm
- Friday 7 am-6 pm
- Saturday 7 am-6 pm
- Sunday 7 am-6 pm
Getting There
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Walking
From the St. Gallen train station, the Cathedral is approximately a 5-10 minute walk. Exit the station and walk towards the city center, following signs for the Abbey District (Stiftsbezirk). The Cathedral is located in the heart of the Abbey District, next to the Abbey Library.
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Public Transport
From St. Gallen train station, take bus number 11 towards Abacus-Platz. The nearest bus stop is called "Stiftsbezirk" and is right by the Abbey Library and the Cathedral. A single ticket within the city zone (Zone 210) costs approximately CHF 2.30. Keep in mind that a monthly ticket for public transport in St. Gallen costs CHF 70.
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Driving
The St. Gallen-Lake Constance region is easily accessible by car via the A1 and A13 motorways. Parking is available in multi-story car parks around the Old Town. Consider parking at the St. Gallen Central car park (Unterer Graben 25) or Parkhaus Rathaus (Poststrasse 26). Hourly parking rates range from CHF 1.20 to CHF 2.40. Blue zone day parking passes are available for CHF 10 per day.
