Saint Gallen (German: St. Gallen, French: Saint-Gall, Italian: San Gallo, c. 80,000 inhabitants).
The city was named after its founder, the IrishMonk Gall, who started the VII. 80,000 inhabitants).
The town takes its name from its founder, the Irishmonk Gall, who built a lonely hut here in the early 7th century. In 719, the monastery of St Gall was erected on this site in his honour, around which the town grew. For many centuries the town and the surrounding area were under the full control of the monastery. In 1415 the townspeople gained their independence.
City in eastern Switzerland, capital of the canton of St Gallen. Located near Lake Constance at an altitude of about 700 metres above sea level, it is one of the highest altitude cities in Switzerland. Under favourable weather conditions, the Freudenberg hills, where the suburban recreation area is located, offer views of Lake Constance and southern Germany.
The modern city comprises the old city district (until 1798 the Imperial City and Republic of St. Gallen) and a number of surrounding villages (Hafnersberg, Rothmonten, Bruggen, Lachen, St. Fiden and others).
Because of its specific topography, St. Gallen is called “the city of a thousand stairs”, as many stairs lead from the city centre to Rosenberg and Freudenberg.
Saint Gallen has an extensive network of city bus routes and a funicular railway linking the city with the suburban recreation area. Traffic on the funicular railway was opened in 1893. Until 1957 there was also a tram service.
A significant number of tourists come to St. Gallen to see the historical and cultural monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The city is home to the renowned private boarding school Institut auf dem Rosenberg and the university.
DESCRIPTIONS
The Abbey Cathedral was built on the site of the cell of St Gall, the founder of this huge and famous abbey. Already in the middle of the ninth century it was an entire wooden complex, including the crypt of St Gall and the chapel of Archangel Michael. In 1755, construction of the present Baroque building began under the direction of the architects Peter Tumba and Johannes Beer. The main building of the cathedral was surrounded by various outbuildings and the abbot’s residence was located separately. Now the residence of the Bishop of St. Gallen is located in the left wing of the building. The interior of the church is decorated with frescoes with scenes from the life of St Gall by D. Wannenmacher. The central dome depicts Paradise, the Trinity and the saints with the apostles. Skilful carvings decorate the choir pews, the pulpit and the altar with black columns with gilding. The south aisle houses a bell brought by St Gall from Ireland – one of the oldest bells in Europe.
The Abbey Library (German: Stiftsbibliothek) is located in the same complex of buildings as the cathedral, but occupies a separate building. One of the oldest collections of books and rare manuscripts in Europe, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The gate was named in honour of Saint Charles Borromeo, according to one legend he was the first person to pass through the gate. The gate is decorated with stone reliefs depicting the Crucifixion, St Gall and Abbot Othmar.
Fontan Broderbrunnen (German: Broderbrunnen) – is located behind the textile museum. It is located on the site of the town spring, which used to be brought from Lake Constance.
Be sure to visit St. Gallen with your children – they won’t be bored!
The Three Ponds (German: Drei Weieren) – three magnificent lakes near the town – a great place for walking and swimming. Swimming in the lakes is free of charge, so families with children flock here on fine days.
Peter and Paul Park – a visit to the park is a great opportunity to observe the life of animals from different regions of Switzerland. Deer, chamois, marmots, lynxes and wild cats live in large enclosures.
Säntispark – a water park and playground for children, several types of saunas, a fitness centre, a large shopping mall, billiards and bowling – all these pleasures are housed in several buildings in a single complex located in the park. Comprehensive ticket with access to the pools and saunas for 4 hours – 25 CHF. Bus No. 7 from the railway station to the stop “Säntispark”.
MUSEUM
Historisches Museum Prestegg is one of the oldest museums in Switzerland, it was founded by Johann Christoph Kunkler in 1873-1877 There are expositions on the history and culture of the city and the canton. In a separate section there are cult objects and an ethnographic collection from Asia, Africa, America and Oceania.
Textile Museum – here you will find exhibitions about the development of the textile industry in St. Gallen, various samples of fabrics and embroidery.
Nature Museum (German. Naturmuseum – tells about the flora of the region, there are several showcases with minerals and a curious stand for those who want to see live wood ants.
The Museum of Blacksmithing (German: Toggenburger Schmied). Toggenburger Schmiede-und Werkzeugmuseum)
Bier Bottle Museum (German: Bierflaschenmuseum) – here is a collection of different people who collected beer bottles and watched them change. The oldest exhibit is about 140 years old. The museum has almost 2,000 bottles. Admission is free.
Music Box Museum
Aviation Museum (German: Fliegermuseum)
A few minutes’ walk east of the city centre is the cultural centre (city theatre and concert hall) and the city park. The theatre St Gallen offers contemporary and classical plays, opera, ballet, operetta and musicals. The City Concert Hall hosts concerts of the St. Gallen Symphony Orchestra and numerous touring concerts. The city also has a puppet theatre, which offers performances for children and adults.
