Abbey Library of St. Gallen
St. Gallen, Switzerland
A Rococo library hall with inlaid wooden floors (felt slippers provided) and manuscripts more than a thousand years old, part of the UNESCO-listed abbey precinct.
The Abbey Library of St. Gallen in the abbey precinct of the city of St. Gallen is regarded as the oldest library in Switzerland. The library hall was built between 1758 and 1767; Wikipedia and Atlas Obscura describe the style as Rococo or Baroque-Rococo. The earliest evidence of a book collection on this site dates back to around 820, and the collection spans twelve centuries.
To protect the wooden floor, visitors slip slippers over their shoes. Well-known items include early medieval manuscripts and the first surviving architectural plan on parchment; the library also houses the Egyptian mummy Shepenese.
The abbey precinct including the library has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1983. Please check opening hours and exhibitions in advance with the abbey precinct.
- Nearest town
- St. Gallen, Switzerland
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 47.4233, 9.3770
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Switzerland: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay the heavy vehicle charge instead of the vignette. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
_04.jpg){kind=link}
Campsites nearby
- Camping St. Gallen-Wittenbach LeebrückeCampsite4 km from Abbey Library of St. Gallen · 100 pitchesTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- ManserCampsite10 km from Abbey Library of St. GallenTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Campingplatz JakobsbadCampsite12 km from Abbey Library of St. GallenTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Campingplatz Gohren am SeeCampsite23 km from Abbey Library of St. GallenTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Wohnmobilstellplatz TunauMotorhome stopover24 km from Abbey Library of St. Gallen · 45 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Campingplatz IriswieseCampsite24 km from Abbey Library of St. GallenTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Switzerland · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Abbey Library of St. Gallen?
Abbey Library of St. Gallen is in St. Gallen, Switzerland, at GPS 47.4233, 9.3770. It is about 11 km from Appenzell.
Can you camp near Abbey Library of St. Gallen?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Stellplatz Olma-Camping, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 31 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Abbey Library of St. Gallen?
Abbey Library of St. Gallen is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Rhine Falls to the Säntis.
What is there to see near Abbey Library of St. Gallen?
Places worth a stop nearby: Appenzell Village (11 km), Seealpsee (17 km), Säntis from Schwägalp (19 km) and Meersburg (31 km).
When is the best time to visit Abbey Library of St. Gallen?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)