Museum diversity in St. Gallen

Originally founded as a monastic settlement, St. Gallen is today a vibrant centre of history, art and knowledge. From the UNESCO-listed Abbey District with its baroque library to the city’s international reputation for textiles – St. Gallen tells its stories through a diverse range of museums that are impressive, surprising and rich in character.

Whether natural history, ethnology, contemporary art or industrial heritage – the museum landscape of St. Gallen reflects the wealth of a city that bridges tradition and innovation.

Discover what moves St. Gallen – yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Museums in St. Gallen

Compact, diverse and full of surprises – St. Gallen captivates with a museum landscape that unites world heritage, art history and natural discovery in a small space. From the UNESCO-listed Abbey District with its baroque cathedral to international textile art, from prehistoric dinosaurs to contemporary avant-garde – here, past meets present, research meets sensuality, and tradition meets creativity.

Whether you're passionate about art, fascinated by history or simply curious: the museums of St. Gallen invite you to immerse yourself in diverse worlds – right in the heart of the city.

• Abbey District and Abbey Library UNESCO World Heritage Site with a baroque cathedral and a magnificent library – centuries-old manuscripts, 170,000 books, the rare Plan of St. Gall and the mummy Schepenese define this cultural treasure.

• Textile Museum Switzerland’s most important textile collection, featuring historical embroideries, sample books, contemporary textile art and live demonstrations on a historic hand embroidery machine.

• Art Museum A collection of paintings and sculptures from the late Middle Ages to the present; renowned for Dutch painting, Swiss Expressionism and international modern art.

• Cultural Museum St. Gallen Combines archaeology, regional history and ethnology with exhibits on local heritage, folk art and global cultures.

• Museum of History and Ethnology

  History and world cultures under one roof – with archaeological finds, ethnographic collections and changing special exhibitions.

• Natural History Museum 2,000 m² of exhibition space dedicated to native wildlife and mineralogy, with immersive room installations, digital guides and dinosaur skeletons.

• Kunst Halle Sankt Gallen Contemporary art space showing temporary exhibitions by emerging and international artists.

• Kunstzone Lokremise A cultural venue in a former locomotive depot: theatre, dance, cinema, exhibitions and gastronomy under one roof.

Museum Events

• Museum Night St. Gallen The summer night of museums: numerous museums, galleries and cultural venues stay open late. With around 70 participating institutions, the event offers a diverse programme of guided tours, art performances, light installations and interactive activities for all ages. Next edition: Saturday, 13 September 2025, 6 pm–12 am

• Guided Tours and Workshops at the Textile Museum The Textile Museum regularly hosts themed tours, workshops and hands-on sessions focused on embroidery, textile design and the history of textiles. Dates and content vary seasonally and are mostly offered in German.

• Exhibition Tours at the Open Art Museum The Open Art Museum offers curatorial tours through current exhibitions – often centred around «Art Brut» or naïve art. Highlights include guided tours on «Animals and Us» and works by Jeannette Vogel, taking place in summer (e.g. 2 and 27 July 2025).

• Special Exhibitions at the Textile Museum During the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, the Textile Museum will present exclusive exhibitions featuring team jerseys and textiles from the participating national teams – from 2 to 27 July 2025.

• Special Exhibitions at the Natural History Museum The Natural History Museum hosts temporary exhibitions, such as those on «Creepy Crawlies» – insects, spiders & more – with exciting presentations, especially during Museum Night.