Abbey of Saint Gall

The Abbey of St Gall (German: Stiftsbezirk St. Gallen) is the former monastic precinct at the heart of St. Gallen in eastern Switzerland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. It combines a cathedral, the old convent buildings with a famous library, an archive and the squares between them.

How did the abbey begin?

Tradition holds that the Irish monk Gallus settled here as a hermit around 612. The monastery itself took shape in the 8th century and grew into one of Europe's key centres of learning, with a scriptorium, a school and a large collection of books. The abbot's territory lasted until secularisation in 1805. The Diocese of St. Gallen was created in 1847, and the former abbey church became its cathedral.

What can you see?

• The cathedral. A Baroque church built as part of the 1755–1768 redevelopment of the whole complex. The interior is bright, with rich stucco and ceiling paintings.
• The Abbey Library (Stiftsbibliothek). The main draw. Its Baroque hall, designed by Peter Thumb, was finished shortly before his death in 1767. The library holds over 170,000 volumes, among them about 2,100 medieval manuscripts. Highlights include the Plan of St Gall from around 820, the oldest known architectural drawing on parchment, the manuscript of the Nibelungenlied (Cod. Sang. 857) and the Abrogans, one of the earliest Latin-German glossaries. The library and archive collections joined UNESCO's Memory of the World register in 2017.
• An Egyptian mummy in the library's exhibition area, an unexpected companion to the books.
• The precinct itself. The convent buildings surround a square you can cross on foot between cathedral and library.

How does a library visit work?

To protect the historic floor, visitors in the Baroque hall wear felt overshoes provided at the entrance. Because the manuscripts are fragile, they appear in rotating themed exhibitions rather than all at once.

Getting there

The precinct sits in the old town, within walking distance of St. Gallen main station. The city has direct rail links with Zurich and towns around Lake Constance, and the centre is easiest to explore on foot.

When to visit

The complex works in any season, and the indoor sights suit rainy days. Check opening hours and ticket prices on stiftsbezirk.ch before you go, since the library may close for exhibitions and events.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Abbey of St Gall a UNESCO site? Yes, it was inscribed in 1983, covering the whole monastic complex including the library and archive.

Who founded it? Tradition links its origins to the Irish monk Gallus and his hermitage around 612. The abbey was organised as a monastery in the 8th century.

Can I take photos in the library? The library sets its own rules, which can change, so ask at the ticket desk or check the official website.

How long should I plan? About two hours covers the library and cathedral, and a short stroll through the old town fills half a day comfortably.