Abbey of St Gall
Sankt Gallen, Switzerland
08.04.2017
The Stiftsbezirk St. Gallen: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Stiftsbezirk St. Gallen, located in the city of St. Gallen in Switzerland, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that holds immense historical and cultural significance. The term "Stiftsbezirk" refers to the former jurisdiction of the Abbey of St. Gallen, which was founded in the 8th century by Saint Othmar. Today, the Stiftsbezirk is home to a collection of well-preserved medieval buildings, including the Abbey Church, the Abbey Library, and the Abbey's former administrative buildings.
The Abbey Church, also known as the Cathedral of St. Gallen, is one of the most impressive structures within the Stiftsbezirk. Its construction began in the 8th century and it was continuously expanded and renovated until the 18th century. The church's interior is adorned with beautiful frescoes and stucco work, making it a prime example of Baroque architecture. It also houses the tomb of Saint Othmar, as well as the tombs of other important figures in the history of the Abbey.
The Abbey Library, which was built in the 18th century, is another highlight of the Stiftsbezirk. It holds a vast collection of over 170,000 books and manuscripts, including some of the oldest and most valuable manuscripts in the world. The library's Baroque hall is a masterpiece in itself, with its ornate ceiling frescoes and intricately carved bookshelves.
The former administrative buildings of the Abbey, known as the Stiftsgebäude, are also worth visiting. These buildings were used for the management and administration of the Abbey's vast land holdings and played an important role in the region's economy. Today, they house the Abbey Museum and the Cantonal Archive of St. Gallen, which provide insight into the Abbey's history and its impact on the surrounding area.
The Stiftsbezirk St. Gallen is not only a testament to the architectural and artistic achievements of the Abbey, but also to its cultural and intellectual influence. The Abbey was a renowned center of learning and played a crucial role in the development of Western monasticism. Its library, in particular, is a treasure trove of knowledge and has been recognized as a UNESCO Memory of the World document.
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The Convent of St Gall, a perfect example of a great Carolingian monastery, was, from the 8th century to its secularization in 1805, one of the most important in Europe. Its library is one of the richest and oldest in the world and contains precious manuscripts such as the earliest-known architectural plan drawn on parchment. From 1755 to 1768, the conventual area was rebuilt in Baroque style. The cathedral and the library are the main features of this remarkable architectural complex, reflecting 12 centuries of continuous activity.
The Abbey of Saint Gall (German: Abtei St. Gallen) is a dissolved abbey (747–1805) in a Catholic religious complex in the city of St. Gallen in Switzerland. The Carolingian-era monastery existed from 719, founded by Saint Othmar on the spot where Saint Gall had erected his hermitage. It became an independent principality between 9th and 13th centuries, and was for many centuries one of the chief Benedictine abbeys in Europe. The library of the Abbey is one of the oldest monastic libraries in the world.
The city of St. Gallen originated as an adjoining settlement of the abbey. The abbey was secularized around 1800, and in 1848 its former church became St. Gallen Cathedral, the seat of the Diocese of Saint Gallen. Since 1983 the abbey precinct has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
