Abbey Library

The Abbey Library numbers among the oldest and most beautiful libraries in the world. As early as the 8th century, the St.Gallen Monastery possessed a significant collection of books, which continued to expand very quickly. What is the library area today was built between 1758 and 1767 under the direction of master builder Peter Thumb, who hailed from the Bregenzerwald region. The rotating exhibitions of valuable manuscripts and original documents provide an insightful look at St.Gallen’s monastic culture.

The Abbey Library’s Baroque hall will surprise you with its elaborate rococo style. The inventory of the library, which is still operating today, numbers around 160,000 books. The impressive collection of early mediaeval original documents has made this institution famous worldwide. Over 400 volumes are more than 1,000 years old.

2013 annual exhibition:
In the beginning was the word - The holy bible at the Abbey St.Gallen
1st December 2012 - 10th November 2013