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Abbey of Saint Gall: A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Explore the Abbey of Saint Gall, a UNESCO World Heritage site with a rich history, stunning Baroque architecture, and one of the world's oldest libraries.

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The Abbey of Saint Gall, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the city of St. Gallen, Switzerland, is a dissolved abbey with a rich history dating back to the 7th century. It stands as a remarkable example of a Carolingian-era monastery and a significant cultural center for over a millennium.

A brief summary to Abbey of Saint Gall

Local tips

  • Visit the Abbey Library, one of the oldest and richest libraries in the world, and marvel at its Baroque hall and collection of ancient manuscripts.
  • Explore the St. Gallen Cathedral, a stunning example of late Baroque architecture, and discover its historical significance.
  • Check the Abbey Library's opening hours, as it's typically closed for three weeks between November and December.
  • Consider taking a guided tour to learn more about the Abbey's history and significance.
  • Use public transport to reach the Abbey, as it's easily accessible by bus and a short walk from the St. Gallen railway station.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    The Abbey of Saint Gall is located a short 5-10 minute walk from the St. Gallen railway station. Exit the station and follow the signs towards the city center and the Abbey District. The route is well-marked and takes you through the charming streets of St. Gallen's Old Town. No costs are involved for walking.

  • Public Transport

    From St. Gallen railway station, take bus number 11 towards Abacus-Platz. The bus stop closest to the Abbey is called "Stiftsbezirk" and is located right by the Abbey Library. A single ticket costs approximately CHF 2.50. You can purchase tickets at major bus stops or directly on the bus.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available at the St. Gallen railway station and throughout the city center. A short taxi ride from the train station to the Abbey of Saint Gall will cost approximately CHF 15-25, depending on traffic and the taxi company. Taxi fares in St. Gallen start at CHF 5.50, with additional charges per kilometer.

  • Parking

    If arriving by car, parking is available in multi-story car parks in the center of St. Gallen. Consider parking at the Parking St. Gallen. Blue zone day parking passes are also available for CHF 10 per day. Parking costs vary, but expect to pay around CHF 2-4 per hour. Be aware that much of the city center has restricted vehicle access to preserve the historic area.

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Discover more about Abbey of Saint Gall

The Abbey of Saint Gall, nestled in the city of St. Gallen, Switzerland, is a captivating journey through over 1200 years of monastic architecture and European history. Founded in 719 by Saint Othmar on the site of Saint Gall's hermitage, the abbey evolved into an independent principality and a prominent Benedictine abbey. The city of St. Gallen itself grew from the abbey's adjoining settlement. From the 8th century, the Abbey of Saint Gall became one of Europe's most important cultural centers. The abbey's library, one of the oldest and richest in the world, holds precious manuscripts, including the earliest-known architectural plan drawn on parchment. Abbot Gozbert, in the early 9th century, initiated a golden age, constructing a new complex and adapting the Plan of Saint Gall, an ideal abbey layout. The Abbey's influence waned, and it was pillaged in 1712 during the Toggenburg War, with many books and manuscripts taken to Zurich and Bern. Secularization occurred around 1800, and in 1848, the former abbey church became St. Gallen Cathedral. Today, the abbey complex accommodates the Canton of St. Gallen's government and the Diocese of Saint Gallen. The Abbey precinct, with its magnificent Baroque cathedral, creates a unique historical ensemble. The Abbey Library, known as the "healing place of the soul," contains 170,000 books, with 50,000 housed in the Baroque hall, including the 2,700-year-old Egyptian mummy Shepenese. The library's heart comprises 2,100 manuscripts, some on display. The entire abbey was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.

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