Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Stiftsbibliothek
St Gallen's 16th-century library is one of the world's oldest and the finest example of rococo architecture in
Switzerland. Along with the rest of the monastery complex surrounding it, the library forms a Unesco World Herit-
age Site.
Filled with priceless books and manuscripts painstakingly handwritten by monks during the Middle Ages, it's a
dimly lit confection of ceiling frescos, stucco, cherubs and parquetry. Only 30,000 of the total 150,000 volumes are
in the library at any one time, and only a handful in display cases, arranged into special exhibitions. If there's a tour
guide in the library at the time, you might see the monks' filing system, hidden in the wall panels.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
www.stiftsbibliothek.ch
;
Klosterhof 6d; adult/child Sfr10/7;
10am-5pm Mon-Sat, to 4pm Sun
Sleeping
St Gallen is a business town, which can make beds scarce and prices high.
HOTEL DOM $$
( 071 227 71 71;
www.hoteldom.ch
; Webergasse 22; s/d Sfr175/245; )
An almost startlingly
modern hotel, plonked in the middle of the Old Town. The room decor is razor-sharp with
clean lines, backlit walls and bold colours. Genuinely friendly staff and a generous break-
fast buffet sweeten the deal.
| Boutique Hotel
EINSTEIN HOTEL $$$
( 071 227 55 55;
www.einstein.ch
; Berneggstrasse 2; s Sfr175-225, d Sfr300-450; )
Silk
curtains, cherry-wood furnishings and plush lambs'-wool rugs grace the spacious rooms at
this grand 19th-century pile. Relax with a swim in the strikingly lit atrium pool or a mas-
sage in the spa. The panoramic rooftop restaurant (mains Sfr26 to Sfr48) emphasises re-
gional cuisine.
| Historic Hotel
HOTEL VADIAN $$
( 071 228 18 78;
www.hotel-vadian.com
; Gallusstrasse 36; s Sfr99-150, d Sfr150-240; )
You can't
get much closer to the heart of St Gallen at these prices. The hotel was recently given an
overhaul and varied modern rooms are in perfect nick. Some have nice touches, like ceil-
ing beams.
| Hotel
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