Home base: Zurich

Image: Google Maps
St. Gallen is another town near Zurich easily traveled by train. One of the world’s oldest libraries, containing unique, early medieval writings, is located in St. Gallen. With a collection of 170,000 books from a period of over 1,000 years, the Abbey Library was named a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1983. Built between 1755 and 1767, the library had belonged at one time to an abbey founded in 719. A few years later, the Benedictine order of monks became residents in 747. The monastery flourished from the 9th to 11th centuries, as an influential cultural and scientific center of the West. Today, the Benedictines are gone, and the monastery has long since been dissolved. Yet the Abbey Library remains as a significant educational institution from the Middle Ages. Unfortunately, no picture-taking was allowed inside the library.
The abbey complex
Other sights in St. Gallen
After spending the morning at St. Gallen, we returned to Zurich to enjoy more sights.
We began the evening with a cruise. This time from Bürkliplatz, located on the other end the city, on Lake Zurich.
The library in St Gallen was amazing! Unfortunately when I was there it was pouring rain so I didn’t see much of the city.
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Sorry to hear about your not seeing too much of the city due to bad weather. We we’re fortunate indeed. Yes, the library was really unique. Thanks for visiting here.
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Absolutely stunning shots! And really awesome historical insights. Thanks for sharing your epic adventure, Karina! 🙂
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Thanks! It’s just getting started . . .
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I will try and remember to visit to continue reading the story about your trip. I have looked at all of the pictures in advance. (Matt M.)
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Okay ☺️
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