7 Architectural Buildings in St. Gallen That You Shouldn't Miss

The Abbey Complex of St Gall is a miracle of tradition. Attractive exhibitions in the Abbey Library, the Vaulted Cellar and the Exhibition Space present a unique treasure trove of manuscript books, charters and prints. The Abbey complex with its baroque cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historical collections in the Abbey Archive and the Abbey Library are included in the UN

The Abbey Library St. Gallen, famous for its beautiful baroque hall, is one of the oldest libraries in the world. And it holds one of the most important manuscript collections in Europe, especially for the Carolingian and Ottonian period from the 8th to the 11th century. The collection is presented to the visitors in changing and thematised expositions. The library forms the central part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Convent of St. Gallen.

The cathedral represents one of the last monumental Baroque monastic constructions in Europe. It was built from 1755 to 1767 under the direction of Vorarlberg native and master builder Johann Michael Beer. The choir stalls with 84 lovely carved seats and the historic organ are works of art in and of themselves. Every Tuesday, there is a Evening Prayer (Domvesper)at 5.30 P.M. The inside of the church is painted in vibrant colours and adorned with stucco, and the interior is decorated with numerous carvings. A serene atmosphere prevails in the church thanks to the soft lighting and malachite green stucco. After the secularisation of the Convent in 1805, the church became a parish church and 1847 at the same time cathedral of the new founded diocese. In 2013, the altar area was renewed. Especially impressive is the baptism fountain with the respecting of the frescos of the cupola. Beside the different liturgy Services and concerts there are also guided tours, for example from may to September every Saturday at 10.30 A.M. (Free admission, collect).