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Textile Museum St. Gallen: A Stitch in Time

Explore centuries of textile artistry at St. Gallen's renowned Textile Museum, showcasing global fabrics, embroidery, and Swiss innovation.

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The Textile Museum St. Gallen showcases the rich textile history of Eastern Switzerland, displaying fabrics and embroideries from around the globe. Founded in 1878, the museum highlights St. Gallen's significance as a global center for textile production, featuring historical garments, lace, and contemporary textile art.

A brief summary to Textile Museum St. Gallen

  • Monday 10 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-5 pm
  • Friday 10 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Visit on Wednesday or Friday afternoon to also explore the Textile Library.
  • Check the museum's website for current temporary exhibitions.
  • Take a guided tour to delve deeper into the history and techniques of textile production.
  • Explore St. Gallen's Textile Trail to see architectural landmarks with textile heritage.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From St. Gallen train station, the Textile Museum is approximately a 10-minute walk. Exit the station and walk straight along Bahnhofstrasse, then turn left onto Vadianstrasse. The museum will be on your right.

  • Public Transport

    From St. Gallen train station, take VBSG bus routes 5 or 9 towards the city center. Get off at the 'St. Gallen, Regierungsgebäude' stop, which is a short walk to Vadianstrasse 2. A single ticket costs around CHF 3-4.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are available at St. Gallen train station. A short taxi ride to the Textile Museum will cost approximately CHF 15-25, depending on traffic. Taxi fares in St. Gallen have a base fare of CHF 5.50-6.00, plus a per-kilometer charge.

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Discover more about Textile Museum St. Gallen

The Textile Museum St. Gallen, located in the "Palazzo Rosso" since 1886, is a vibrant testament to the city's deep-rooted connection to textiles. Founded in 1878, the museum houses one of Switzerland's most important textile collections, with woven materials and embroideries from every corner of the globe. The museum's collections date back to the second half of the 19th century, inspired by museums of applied arts and design throughout Europe, aiming to inspire industry and cultivate good taste. The museum's extensive collection includes fabrics from Egyptian grave sites, historical embroideries from the 14th century onwards, handmade lace, ethnographic textiles, and contemporary textile art. A highlight is the collection of hand and machine embroidery from Eastern Switzerland, documenting the development of the St. Gallen embroidery industry. The Textile Library within the museum holds over 2,000 sample books with textile patterns from Swiss companies. St. Gallen has been known for producing quality textiles since the 15th century. By 1910, the city's embroidery production was a major export for Switzerland, producing over 50% of the world's embroidery. Today, St. Gallen textiles remain popular in haute couture. The museum not only displays historical exhibits but also keeps up with the present, showcasing fabrics used by leading fashion houses like Dior, Gucci, and Prada. The museum hosts temporary exhibitions that complement the permanent exhibition on the history of textiles in Eastern Switzerland.

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