Waaghaus

Waaghaus in St. Gallen is a late-16th-century trading hall at the eastern end of the city's market square. Once the place where merchants' goods were weighed and taxed, it now hosts events, exhibitions and the city council.

What is the Waaghaus and who built it?

The hall went up in 1584–1585, following a council decision taken in 1581. A mason's mark in the ground-floor stonework points to Wolfgang Fögeli as the builder. The name comes from the German word "Waag", meaning scales: goods were weighed here, charged duty and stored. It was a multi-purpose commercial facility rather than a shop, and in the 19th century locals also called it the "Kaufhaus".

How did its role change?

Once the railway station and new customs warehouses were built, the old function became redundant. The building briefly held the police station, then a post office opened in 1876 and stayed until the renovation of 1958. Today it is a protected monument.

What can you see?

• An open ground floor with large gateways that carts once drove through.
• Stepped gables on the east and west ends, characteristic of late-Renaissance building in the region.
• A clock with a moon-phase dial and a small onion-domed turret, both rescued from the old town hall that was pulled down in 1877.
• Two rows of windows on the west side; the central pair once carried a hoist for lifting goods.

What is it used for today?

The open ground floor accommodates changing events, including the Christmas market. The east side of the upper floor is a hall for exhibitions and concerts, while the west side is the chamber of the St. Gallen city parliament. Access to the upper floor depends on what is on, so check the programme before you go.

How do you get there and what is nearby?

The Waaghaus stands at the eastern end of the market square, close to Brühltor and Rorschacherstrasse. From the main station it is a walk of roughly a quarter of an hour through the centre. Nearby you will find stretches of the former city wall and the old town with its ornate oriel windows. The cathedral and the Abbey Library, both UNESCO-listed, are within easy reach.

When should you visit?

The ground floor is accessible year round, but December is the most atmospheric time, when the Christmas market fills the hall. In summer it offers shade during a walk around the old town. Upper-floor rooms are best visited during an exhibition or concert.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the Waaghaus free? The ground floor is an open space you can view without a ticket. Admission to events upstairs is set by the organiser.

How long does a visit take? Fifteen to twenty minutes covers the exterior and ground floor. Allow longer for a concert or exhibition.

Does the city parliament really meet here? Yes. The west part of the upper floor is the St. Gallen council chamber.

Where do the clock and turret come from? They were taken from the old town hall, demolished in 1877, and reused on the Waaghaus.