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Living in St. Gallen St. Gallen offers its approximately 80,000 inhabitants a historically valuable old town. The narrow streets with their many shops, cosy restaurants and bars at every corner create a wonderful atmosphere. The Abbey District with the baroque cathedral and the Abbey Library is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and thus of international significance. Further cultural highlights are provided by performances in the City Theatre, the Concert Hall and at the St. Gallen Festivals, as well as by exhibitions in
St. Gallen lace – timeless and modern
numerous museums. One event that is particularly popular with many students is the St. Gallen Open Air, during which the Sitter Valley is transformed into Switzerland’s biggest tent city for three days.
History St. Gallen became affluent through the textile trade. Although textile production has since moved to other parts of the world, St. Gallen is still a centre of textile design and prototype development. Once 90% of
Dreiweihern – relaxation just outside St. Gallen
the worldwide embroidery production was traded by St. Gallen merchants. The need for professional education soon became evident, and in 1898, St. Gallen merchants founded a commercial academy, which later evolved into the University of St. Gallen.
The City Lounge in the Bleicheli Quarter, which was designed by the artist Pipilotti Rist and the architect Carlos Martinez in the context of a commission of the Raiffeisen Group.