From St.Gallen to Paris, Milan, and New York
Those who love fashion and high-quality fabrics will find what they seek in St.Gallen. Renowned fashion designers from around the world are well aware of the premium textiles that are transformed into fashionable creations and brought to life on the runways of Paris, Milan, and New York. The Swiss textile city offers visitors a variety of opportunities to get hands-on with the craft. So-called "textile hotels" provide accommodations in rooms adorned by St.Gallen design studios with selected fabrics and embroideries. If you haven't had enough inspiration yet, a visit to the Textile Museum is a must, followed by designing your own garment in one of the textile houses. This is how you follow in the footsteps of superstars like Zendaya, Amal Clooney, or Michelle Obama, proudly showcasing St.Gallen textiles to the world.
Who needs mustard anyway?
Even in the Middle Ages, St.Gallen's culinary tradition was grilled over an open fire, but what makes this white sausage with a crispy casing so special? Veal is enriched with pork belly, various spices, and fresh milk. The ingredients are nothing new, but the combination is what defines the taste, and each butcher shop has its own secret recipe. However, it's no secret that the bratwurst is never eaten with mustard. Whether in the city's eight Gault-Millau restaurants or at a sausage stand on the corner, with so much authentic flavor, mustard is out of place!
From guard stand to brewery
Beer culture also has a long tradition in St.Gallen. The famous monastery plan of the abbey district listed no fewer than three breweries. The in-house brewery "Schützengarten" got its name from a former shooting club in St.Gallen and is considered the oldest brewery in Switzerland. Today, not only marksmen enjoy the cool refreshment, as "St.Galler Landbier" and "St.Galler Klosterbräu" are known far beyond the cantonal borders. Just like with the bratwurst, the city keeps the recipe secret for its beer. But everyone can enjoy it! Visitors to the Schützengarten can also see the largest collection of beer bottles in Switzerland, with around 3,000 bottles. The bottles come from 260 different breweries.
Service on the first floor
The so-called "Erststockbeizli" are famous in the old part of St.Gallen. These include "Genuss Manufaktur Neubad," "Zum Goldenen Schäfli," "Pöstli," or "Bäumli." Small, rustic restaurants are located on the first floor of historical buildings, with sloping floors, wooden walls, and low ceilings. The eateries are not without reason on the first floor. The city is built on soft ground, leading to houses often being constructed on wooden piles. The first floor usually offered more light and was therefore better suited as a restaurant compared to the ground floor with its low ceilings. Since the early 19th century, these traditional Beizli have invited both visitors and locals to relax and linger, captivating them with their atmosphere.
An artwork in itself
The St.Gallen Abbey, built in 719 as a hermitage, has become one of the most important spiritual centers in Europe, with an imposing, twin-towered cathedral. Among its most precious possessions are the oldest German-language dictionary and the city plan of St.Gallen, the oldest surviving architectural drawing from the Middle Ages. Tourists regularly flock to the Abbey Library, built in 1758 and still regarded as one of the world's most spectacular historical book collections. The active library houses around 170,000 books. Architecturally, the library is an artwork in itself. Its magnificent, vaulted reading room is a Baroque masterpiece with decorative inlaid wood floors, wood-paneled bookshelves, flanked by columns and intricately designed ceiling frescoes.
From art to soap museums - the all-round pass
St.Gallen is known as a city of museums. The St.Gallen Museum Pass is the ideal way to immerse yourself in the city's cultural diversity: a single museum ticket for all of St.Gallen's cultural offerings. The St.Gallen Museum Pass opens the doors to eleven renowned museums in the city, giving you access to historical treasures, art exhibits and fascinating scientific exhibitions. The participating museums offer something for everyone, from art enthusiasts to soap lovers.
St.Gallen reaches for the stars
Every year during Advent, St.Gallen reaches for the stars. The city of Gallus shines in the magical brilliance of around 700 stars and becomes a city of stars. Each of the oversized stars has fourteen rays, each symbolising one of the city's districts. By sponsoring a star, individuals and companies can show their solidarity with the city and support the opening ceremony of Star City and other events. Since 2010, the "Allerstern" has been shining above the squares and alleyways of the Old Town as the basic element of the St.Gallen Christmas lights. The decorated fir tree on the Klosterplatz and the romantic Christmas market also add to the festive atmosphere.
