The Abbey at St. Gallen

This weekend, we found ourselves going to the city of Saint Gallen (say: Sankt Gahlen).  Saint Gallen is also the "capital" of its eponymous canton. In classic SAT analogy format= States: USA : : Cantons: Switzerland   Switzerland currently has 26 cantons, and although we live in Thalwil (just outside of Zurich City), we are still part of the Zurich Canton.

This is where we're headed for today's adventures!

As usual, we made our way on the ever-dependable Swiss public transportation.  We first left Thalwil on the IR (Inter-Regio), then hopped onto a connecting line at Zurich HB to St. Gallen.  We took the IC (Inter-City) there and took the ICN (InterCity Neigezug) back.  These trains had restaurants inside!  Since the trip to St. Gallen is only a 90 minute journey, we decided to save the restaurant experience for a longer trip (such as to Italy or Paris!)

The restaurant car! (on the ICN)

Look how immaculate that restaurant is (on the IC).

Admiring the lush Swiss countryside.

We have arrived in St. Gallen.

After arriving at St. Gallen, we walked to the Old Town around the Abbey at St. Gallen, just a five minutes east of the train station.  As we walked around, we were struck by some of the interesting architecture of the old houses.  St. Gallen is known for its exposed timber buildings and oriel windows.  The variety was simply stunning. 

This one appears to have three different coat of arms.

The intricate woodwork on this window is overshadowed by the painting on the wall.

That's it, I want all my windows to look this nice.

As many of you know, the two of us really like trying new foods, especially those local to the region.  When is comes to Switzerland, that means bratwurst and sausages.  In St. Gallen we visited Metzgerei Gemperli, a butcher cum bratwurst stand.  Of course, the bratwurst was one of the most affordable meals we've had in Switzerland (at only 6.50 CHF).  No wonder the Swiss love their wurst! 

St. Gallen's signature "Olma bratwurst mit Bürli."  (Veal sausage with roll).

While mustard is commonly available, the locals NEVER use it their signature Olma sausages.  Thank goodness we didn't embarrass ourselves!

Of course, no Swiss meal would not be complete without chocolate and coffee.  So we walked a few blocks to the Chocolaterie for some rich, decadent Swiss hot chocolate and chocolate/espressos.

More beautiful Swiss architecture right above the cafe.

A Swiss premium 70% Cacao hot chocolate mit Rahm (whipped cream!)

Chococino mit Espresso.  Of course, both our drinks came with (more) chocolate!

Filled with sausage and chocolate, we visited the Abbey (Fürstabtei St. Gallen), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Inside the Abbey, we explored the Stiftsbibliothek (Abbey Library), which is the oldest library collection in all of Switzerland.  The library houses many priceless books and manuscripts that were meticulously copied and illustrated by the monks during the Middle Ages.  We had to wear slippers before entering the library, and we were not allowed to take any pictures, so we don't have any to show our readers.  However, a quick google search will yield many beautiful images, and you won't be disappointed.

The Abbey!  (Yup, that's snow...cough, cough 80 degrees in Philadelphia.)

We then made our way to the twin-towered cathedral in the Abbey, which was also in the over the top baroque style.  The cathedral is slightly less ornate than the library (hard to believe) and is certainly an opulent place of worship.

Beautifully painted frescos.

Trying to capture the grandness of the cathedral.

Very extravagant confessionals.

This was followed by the more modest St. Laurenzen-Kirche, a much more subdued cathedral in a neo-Gothic style.

A view from the back.

Detailed walls with star-studded ceiling.

A view from the front.

Our cathedral viewing was now followed by exploring a bit more of St. Gallen just before we left for Thalwil.  We stumbled upon the Stadtlounge (City Lounge) just outside of Old Town in Bleicheli, the financial district of St. Gallen.  

So.  Much.  Red.

Believe it or not, this goes on for several city blocks.

Thanks for reading!

-Sir Cervelat