Stiftsbibliothek
Stiftsbibliothek
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Abbey Library St. Gallen, famous for its beautiful baroque hall, is one of the oldest libraries in the world. And it holds one of the most important manuscript collections in Europe, especially for the Carolingian and Ottonian period from the 8th to the 11th century. The collection is presented to the visitors in changing and thematised expositions. The library forms the central part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Convent of St. Gallen.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- perrypickerign108 contributionsEurope's Oldest LibraryWhat should I write about the oldest library in Europe? It is very well maintained and its contents are invaluable. Seeing books that were hundreds and even thousands of years old is a priceless experience. A visit here is long overdue.Visited March 2023Written 4 April 2023
- FerrisXLAmsterdam, The Netherlands400 contributionsAmazing historic libraryWhen in St. Gallen, make sure not to miss a visit to this amazing historic library. It is really impressive. The smell and atmosphere, the state of preservation. Next to century old books there is also a beautiful wooden floor and gigantic historic globe to marvel at. The entrance price is not cheap but definitely worth it. You cannot bring inside any bags but there are lockers to store them for the duration of your visit.Visited August 2023Written 28 August 2023
- rroutToronto, Canada21 contributionsPhenomenal Beauty and Ancient ManuscriptsIf you like history, Irish Saints, Illuminated manuscripts and early Christianity this is a must. The library is incredible from an artistic perspective but the collection of manuscripts on display in the Vaults and one of the outer buildings are among the rarest in the world. Many well over 1000 years old. Make sure you watch the movies in Exhibition Centre. They are well done and it is so intriguing and ingenious when the movie on the St Gallen Architect Plan is finished how the case opens to reveal the original manuscript itself! So great. Lastly you will encounter St Columbanus and St Gallus, two incredibly Irishmen who become monks and saw to the enlightenment of Europe. A drink in the Museum cafe after is a great way to recall and soak in what you’ve seen.Visited March 2024Travelled soloWritten 8 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1 109 reviews
Excellent
826
Very good
215
Average
40
Poor
17
Terrible
11
rrout
Toronto, Canada21 contributions
Mar 2024 • Solo
If you like history, Irish Saints, Illuminated manuscripts and early Christianity this is a must. The library is incredible from an artistic perspective but the collection of manuscripts on display in the Vaults and one of the outer buildings are among the rarest in the world. Many well over 1000 years old. Make sure you watch the movies in Exhibition Centre. They are well done and it is so intriguing and ingenious when the movie on the St Gallen Architect Plan is finished how the case opens to reveal the original manuscript itself! So great. Lastly you will encounter St Columbanus and St Gallus, two incredibly Irishmen who become monks and saw to the enlightenment of Europe. A drink in the Museum cafe after is a great way to recall and soak in what you’ve seen.
Written 8 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yp17
Houston, TX159 contributions
Sept 2023 • Solo
Very nice, especially the large globe, so much history. Almost as pretty as the old library in Dublin. Entire complex is included in the Swiss Travel pass.
Written 2 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FerrisXL
Amsterdam, The Netherlands400 contributions
Aug 2023
When in St. Gallen, make sure not to miss a visit to this amazing historic library. It is really impressive. The smell and atmosphere, the state of preservation. Next to century old books there is also a beautiful wooden floor and gigantic historic globe to marvel at. The entrance price is not cheap but definitely worth it. You cannot bring inside any bags but there are lockers to store them for the duration of your visit.
Written 29 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick Z
4 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
The detail of the library is quite amazing, but honestly I pictured it as being much larger. It can easily be seen in 30 minutes all in.
Written 23 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
perrypickerign
108 contributions
Mar 2023
What should I write about the oldest library in Europe? It is very well maintained and its contents are invaluable. Seeing books that were hundreds and even thousands of years old is a priceless experience. A visit here is long overdue.
Written 4 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah K
5 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
Beautiful, stunning stop if you’re going to be in that area or if libraries and cathedrals are your thing. Not sure I’d call it a must-visit though otherwise. Can be done if half-hour to an hour though if you want!
Written 20 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan K
5 contributions
Feb 2023
This is a gorgeous place to visit, drenched in rich history. The lower level has some interesting original texts and upstairs is the gem of a library. Plus, you can put big woolen slippers over your shoes or boots so that you can help to maintain the wooden floors.
Written 12 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NorCal-traveler08
Orangevale, CA1 922 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
We were curious since this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We bought tickets when we arrived and other than a school group had the place to ourselves. You must check all of your bags in the locker room and remove your shoes and they provide slippers to wear. The library is small and rather dark inside but beautiful. It says there is no photographs allowed however, we saw people taking pictures. Your ticket also gets you into another exhibit located in another building. Very interesting to learn about Saint Gall.
Written 11 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
permia
Ireland40 931 contributions
Sept 2022
The aspect of the library we visit is extraordinary in Baroque ornateness that was created around the mid-1700s. It is stunning in its impact.
Strolling around, it was marvellous gazing at and admiring the minute intricate detail from floor to ceiling.
The latter is beautifully vaulted and is decorated with a vibrant series of stucco images.
Strolling around, it was marvellous gazing at and admiring the minute intricate detail from floor to ceiling.
The latter is beautifully vaulted and is decorated with a vibrant series of stucco images.
Written 21 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ralph Wilhelm
Carmel, IN783 contributions
Sept 2022 • Couples
This was a hugely pleasant and surprising visit to the library in the Abbey of St. Gallen. Amazingly old books and manuscripts, one of the oldest libraries certainly in Europe and maybe other parts of the world. The wooden shelves, floors and literally thousands of books and manuscripts make this a must-see stop in St. Gallen. But highly recommend that you take a tour guide of one of the self service recorded tour recorders that you can rent so that you do not miss any of the highlights. We were very fortunate to have a local resident guide who was terrific and most helpful at explaining what we were looking at. Highly recommend that you make time for this Abbey and the library.
Written 6 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
markes1979
Tagerwilen, Switzerland232 contributions
Ist es jetzt erlaubt Fotos zu machen und was ist genau im Gewölbe zu sehen?
Michael_Corner
Speyer, Germany166 contributions
Mail vom 11.09.2020:
Vielen Dank für Ihre Anfrage. Nein, in der Stiftsbibliothek darf leider nicht fotografiert werden.
Besten Dank für Ihr Verständnis und freundliche Grüsse
Stiftsbibliothek, Klosterhof 6d, 9000 St. Gallen / Schweiz
mala2015
Weingarten, Germany26 contributions
Hatte den Eintrittspreis nicht entdeckt
Harald Hamburg
Hamburg, Germany158 contributions
Bibliothek 12 CHF, das Kloster kann man besichtigen, muss man nicht. 12 CHF sind viel Geld, aber die Bibliothek ist einmalig
Jngcl
Hong Kong, China
I saw someone mentioned that people can pay CHF160 to take photos inside the library. Is it real?
Cornel D
St. Gallen, Switzerland1 contribution
No, this is not correct. Photographs are only allowed with special permission by the management. For commercial use a fee must be payed, depending on what the picture is used for.
Cornel Dora, Director of the Abbey Library
Kimromanchuk
Frederick, MD
Are wheelchairs allowed in the library?
Cornel D
St. Gallen, Switzerland1 contribution
Yes, of course, there is an elevator and all levels of the Abbey Library are accessible for wheelchairs.
GlobalGirl98
Kelowna, Canada142 contributions
There are two online postings that show differing hours, could someone confirm if the Abbey Library is open on Saturdays?
Cornel D
St. Gallen, Switzerland1 contribution
Yes, the Abbey Library Museum ist open on Saturdays and Sundays.
The more restrictive opening hours refer to the reading room of the library and concerns the scholars who work in the library, not the greater public.
We wish you a pleasant visit!
Cornel Dora, Stiftsbibliothekar
ACLHEISASRAA
Milan, Italy6 contributions
Is possible to take photos inside the library?
Kanst du foto in die Bibliothek maken?
Nicola C
Bellinzona, Switzerland73 contributions
Le fotografie non sono permesse, confermo.
Aude M
Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland13 contributions
Peut-on allez librement ou est-ce qu'il est obligatoire d'avoir la visite guidée, comme dans certains petits musées?
Je n'ai pas trouvé d'info sur leur site.
Merci d'avance et bonne matinée.
Cornel D
St. Gallen, Switzerland1 contribution
C'est bien possible de venir librement. Il y a aussi un audioguide en francais, si vous désirez des informations plus profondes.
Soyez bienvenu!
Cornel Dora, Directeur
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Frequently Asked Questions about Stiftsbibliothek
- Stiftsbibliothek is open:
- Sun - Sat 10:00 - 17:00
- Hotels near Stiftsbibliothek:
- (0.14 km) Hotel Dom
- (0.18 km) Einstein St.gallen
- (0.12 km) Hotel Vadian
- (0.11 km) Schwanen Hotel Pizzeria Risotteria
- (0.13 km) TouchBed City Apartments
- Restaurants near Stiftsbibliothek:
- (0.04 km) Klosterbistro Da Focacceria
- (0.17 km) Einstein Gourmet
- (0.16 km) Wirtschaft zur Alten Post
- (0.14 km) Genuss Manufaktur Neubad
- (0.19 km) Bistro St.gallen