The Abbey Library of St Gallen in eastern Switzerland is a treasure trove of history and knowledge. Its Baroque hall, filled with manuscripts, globes, and unique curiosities, has survived for over 1,300 years, making it one of the world’s oldest and most remarkable libraries.
A Journey Back in Time
I arrived early in St Gallen when the streets were quiet, and the church bells were still silent. The abbey’s grand stone architecture, with its arched windows, spires, and cloisters, immediately created a sense of awe. Inside, historian Albert Holenstein guided me through echoing corridors to an ornate Baroque doorway. Carved above the entrance was a Greek phrase, “Psyches Iatreion,” meaning “healing place of the soul.” This ancient inscription hinted at the library’s spiritual and historical significance.
A Library of Wonders
The library itself is breathtaking. Its intricate wooden bookcases, painted Baroque ceiling, and rows of leather-bound tomes create a scene straight out of a fantasy novel. Terrestrial and celestial globes, Egyptian mummies, and cabinets filled with curiosities from around the world make it feel magical. Items range from silver knives from Turkey to miniature shoes from Indonesia, alongside fossils, shells, and coins.
The Abbey Library is more than a collection of religious texts. It houses works on law, music, medicine, astronomy, grammar, arithmetic, rhetoric, and poetry. The abbey served not only as a religious center but also as a hub of education and knowledge, explaining the depth and variety of its collection.
Ancient Origins and Rich Heritage
The library dates back to the early 7th Century when Irish missionary Saint Gall founded a hermitage that later became the abbey. The current Baroque hall was built in 1767, but the library has preserved its rich heritage. Its collections include 160,000 manuscripts and early printed works, including over 2,100 medieval codices, some written before the year 1000.
It also contains the largest collection of Irish manuscripts on mainland Europe, brought by pilgrims traveling to Rome. High German manuscripts in the archive showcase the earliest written examples of the language. Each book tells a story, reflecting the spiritual and intellectual power of written knowledge.
Surviving Centuries of Upheaval
What makes the Abbey Library of St Gallen truly remarkable is its survival through centuries of political and religious turmoil. Unlike monasteries in England, Wales, and Ireland that were dismantled in the 16th Century, or church properties seized during the French Revolution, St Gallen’s library remained protected. During the abbey’s temporary dissolution between 1797 and 1805, its collections were carefully guarded and preserved by the local Catholic community.
Today, the library remains a symbol of learning and history, a place where visitors can experience the wonder of centuries-old manuscripts and treasures.
