St. Gallen Cathedral is located in the heart of St. Gallen, Switzerland. It is a Baroque cathedral built in the 18th century on an ancient abbey site. The origin dates back to an Irish monk named Gallus in the early 7th century (c. 612 AD), who founded a monastery inspired by a divine sign.

St. Gallen Abbey was founded in 719 AD by Saint Othmar on the same site where Gallus had a hermitage. It grew into an independent principality by the 13th century and was a major Benedictine monastery in Europe. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 as an excellent example of Carolingian architecture.

Inside the cathedral, visitors find exquisite frescoes, intricate marble carvings, and a historic organ still in use. The cathedral tower offers panoramic views of the city.

The abbey’s greatest treasure is the St. Gallen Abbey Library, one of the richest medieval libraries in the world, with over 160,000 volumes and 2,100 manuscripts, including more than 400 over 1,000 years old. A digital project made 355 manuscripts accessible online.

The library is decorated in Rococo style by architect Peter Thumb and hosts exhibitions, concerts, and cultural events.

Important documents include a copy of Priscian’s Institutiones grammaticae with ancient Irish poetry and the Plan of St. Gall, the oldest surviving architectural drawing from the post-Roman Empire period, representing an ideal monastery layout.

In 2009, a painting of Saint Paul preaching from an ancient manuscript was exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, praised for its detail.

Train to St. Gallen Station and a 10-minute walk to the cathedral; also accessible by local buses or taxis.
By car: Exit A1 highway at St. Gallen; public parking nearby.

• Visit in the morning to avoid crowds

• Book guided tours to the library in advance due to limited visitor numbers

• Wear comfortable shoes (marble floors may be slippery)

• Dress warmly in winter due to cold mountain winds

• English and German guided tours available

Summer (Apr–Sep): 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Winter (Oct–Mar): 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Last admission 30 minutes before closing

Adults: 8 CHF (~300 THB)
Children under 12: 4 CHF
Seniors/Students: 6 CHF (with ID)
Free: Children under 100 cm

St. Gallen Cathedral offers an impressive experience for lovers of history, art, and architecture, showcasing beautiful Baroque art and priceless cultural heritage.