The Abbey Library contains a 2,700-year-old Egyptian mummy named Schepenese.
The floor plan of the monastery, known as the St. Gall Plan, is the oldest surviving architectural drawing of a major building complex from the Middle Ages.
The library collection includes the Nibelungenlied, a Middle High German epic poem.
The cathedral's interior features elaborate stucco work and ceiling paintings characteristic of the late Baroque style.
The library serves as a working research facility, containing over 170,000 books.
The monastery was founded by the Irish monk Gallus in the early 7th century.
The Abbey of Saint Gall is a UNESCO World Heritage site centered on a Carolingian-era monastery complex. Its architectural focal point is the 18th-century Baroque cathedral, characterized by its twin towers and ornate interior frescoes. The site houses the Abbey Library, one of the oldest and most significant monastic libraries in the world, holding medieval manuscripts dating back to the 8th century. The complex served as a major center of European culture and learning throughout the Middle Ages. Visitors can explore the cathedral, the library hall, and an exhibition vault containing historical artifacts. The surrounding monastery district remains a preserved example of a medieval ecclesiastical center.
The view of the cathedral towers from the Klosterhof square.
Use the provided felt slippers when entering the library to protect the historic parquet flooring.
Check the digital catalog in advance if you are researching specific historical manuscripts.
Visit the exhibition vault for rotating displays of the library's most fragile medieval codices.
Do not attempt to touch the ancient books or display cases, as the oils from skin can damage the vellum.
The library is occasionally closed for special events or maintenance; check official site calendars.
Photography is strictly prohibited inside the library hall. Maintain a quiet tone throughout the cathedral and library.
