Abbey Library
The Cabinet of Curiosities at the Abbey Library – Beautiful and Unusual Objects Past and Present
Winter Exhibition in the Baroque Hall of the Abbey Library of St Gall
25 November 2025 to 19 April 2026
The roots of our modern museums lie in the so-called cabinets of curiosities or Kunstkammern of the 16th to 19th centuries, which were created mainly at princely courts. Here, all sorts of curiosities were collected, along with artworks and coins. The prince-abbot of St Gall also had such a cabinet of curiosities, which was linked to the library and is partially preserved to this day. The exhibition takes visitors back to the baroque world of collecting and shows how modern libraries and museums deal with rare items of all kinds.
Opening hours
Monday to Sunday 10 am to 5 pm
24/25 Dezember 2025 closed
Admission prices
CHF 18 | 16 | 12 | 10
Audio guide to the Abbey District and the old town
D | E | F | I CHF 5
Public guided tours
daily at 1 pm (in German)
Video