Photography - Ivan Andrejic
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St. Gallen - Bodensee In Eastern Switzerland, the St.Gallen-Lake Constance region offers a wide range of activities no matter what you’re interested in. The cultural metropolis enchants visitors with its picturesque old town and a rich historical heritage. The Abbey District with its Baroque cathedral and the world-famous Abbey Library is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and the city’s landmark. A vibrant cultural scene, a diverse range of MICE offers and an intact natural environment for outdoor activities and tours are what make this beautiful area between Lake Constance and the Appenzell region so appealing. Its many culinary specialities like the four B’s (bratwurst, bürli (regional bread), biberli (local gingerbread speciality), beer) are just one more reason to visit the region.
Foundation of St. Gallen The name and foundation of the town stem from the Irish missionary monk Gallus who founded a hermitage here around 612. From 747, the then St.Gallen monastery was already following Benedictine Rule, which required the contemplative study of books and accordingly also stipulated the presence of a library. In the Middle Ages, the town developed into an important hub of culture and education in Europe. Later, the St.Gallen embroideries attracted international recognition and brought prosperity to the town. St.Gallen is a university town with a focus on the economic sciences. The home town of the renowned ÂŤMummenschanzÂť theatre group offers a varied cultural offering with theatres and museums. In summer, the romantic art-nouveau Dreilinden-Weiher open-air pool with its splendid views over the town attracts visitors to swim.
The excellent location in the four-country corner Switzerland, Germany, Austria and the Principality of Liechtenstein make St.Gallen the best starting point for excursions into the Appenzellerland with the Säntis, and to Lake Constance. Whether by rail or bicycle, the cycling and inline paradise of Lake Constance can be reached quickly along the Lake Constance Cycle Path. The combination of rail ‘n’ bike allows captivating tours to be undertaken which cross national borders. For walkers, the ‘Bridge Trail’ which passes over 18 bridges in the Sittertobel near St.Gallen is an experience: much about the design and construction of bridges is learnt en route. A six-hour section of the ‘Route of St. James’ leads from Rorschach to Herisau via St.Gallen.
St. Gallen Abbey Built in 719 as a monastic hermitage, the St.Gallen monastery with its imposing, double-towered cathedral has become one of Europe’s most important spiritual centres. Among its most precious treasures are the plan of St.Gallen a medieval architectural drawing of the monastic complex – and the oldest German dictionary. Many manuscripts were originally written in the monastery and can still be found in its archives today. The Abbey Library, built in 1758, is a tourist attraction and destination and has one of the most stunning historical reading rooms in the world. The library, which still lends books today, boasts a collection of around 170,000 books. Special tourist draws include the more than two metre high 16th century globe and the Egyptian Schepenese mummy on display in its double sarcophagus which the library has owned since 1836. Schepenese, a priest’s daughter, is thought to have lived from about 650 to 610 BC. The architecture of the Abbey Library is also a sight to behold: the elaborate, vaulted hall with its ornate inlaid floors, wood-panelled bookcases with decorated columns and richly stuccoed ceiling paintings is a splendid example of Baroque architecture.
The entire St.Gallen Abbey District was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1983. The Baroque cathedral with its two towers is the landmark of the city of St.Gallen and one of the last monumental monastery buildings of the Baroque period. At the heart of the Abbey District is the Abbey Library, one of the oldest and most beautiful libraries in the world. The changing exhibitions of valuable manuscripts and unique documents leave a lasting impression of St.Gallen’s scientific monastic culture.
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Drei Weieren (Three Ponds) Three Ponds are an oasis of peace in the middle of the city. The ponds, which were originally built by the monastery for their water needs with their art nouveau bath houses, are a popular destination for outings and as swimming spot. A sweet pond landscape stretches out in the south of the city, on a high plateau below Mount Freuden. It is the local recreation area for the city inhabitants and part of a connecting nature protection area that runs along the entire southern slope of the city. There are still four ponds remaining from the original five. They were dug out, or filled in as the case may be, in the period between the 17th and 20th centuries and served to provide water to put out fires during blazes and also as a water supply for the city bleaching. With the aid of a wangler, the water was pushed over the MĂźlegg weir into the Steinach and directed onwards into the city. The ponds are beloved swimming areas for the locals in summer and are a meeting point in winter for lovers of ice skating. A round trip through the pond landscape is attractive at any time of the year due to the panoramic view over the entire city.
Textile Museum The city’s rich textile heritage stands in contrast to its monastic splendour. From the Middle Ages to the 19th century, St.Gallen was the leading centre of embroidery – rich American merchants flocked to the metropolis of Eastern Switzerland to buy the fine fabrics. Even today, half a percent of the world’s textile production comes from St.Gallen. For centuries, the lives of the people of St.Gallen revolved around linen production, cotton weaving and embroidery of manufactured fabrics. The textile industry played a significant role in shaping Eastern Switzerland and its influence can still be felt today. Prominent fashion houses like Chanel, Dior and Armani incorporate St.Gallen embroidery into their designs, and the big name fashion shows in Paris, Milan or New York all feature haute couture creations made from St.Gallen fabrics. The creations are worn by many celebrities including Nicole Kidman, Michelle Obama, Adele, Madonna and Charlène, Princess of Monaco.
Säntis To see Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, France and Italy all at the same time - this can be accomplished from the 2,502-meter-high Säntis. The highest mountain of the Alpstein region is the starting point and destination for mountain tours, hikes and ski trips. The Säntis is the landmark of the Lake Constance region. The mountain, which can be seen from miles away, is also well-known for extreme weather conditions that otherwise only occur in the High Alps. A first weather station was built here in 1882, and has been manned by a weatherman ever since. One can comfortably get to the Panorama Restaurant at the top of the mountain with the aerial cable car Schwägalp–Säntis, one of the most used mountain trains in Switzerland. On foggy winter days, winter hiking trails and snow shoe hiking beckon visitors to the mountain sun on the Schwägalp. In the summer the Säntis is a popular destination for hikes and mountain tours in the Alpstein region. A 360-degree view of six Alpine countries is always guaranteed.
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Lake Constance A getaway to Lake Constance in the picturesque harbour town of Rorschach in the southernmost bay of Lake Constance is like a dream come true for holidaymakers. Locals and tourists alike are drawn to the breathtaking waterfront promenade. «Schiffli fahrä uf em See, cha mer schöni Sache gseh»: This popular Swiss children’s song in Swiss German dialect which loosely translates as «You can see beautiful things when you take a boat ride on the lake» captures the essence. Lake Constance has an abundance of wonderful towns, places and sights to discover. Guests can reach these popular and attractive destinations easily and comfortably by boat. The scheduled boats of SBS Schifffahrt AG, the local boat tour agency, operate from Rorschach around Lake Constance.