The Abbey Library at St. Gallen makes you wear little bootie covers over your shoes. As one of the oldest libraries in the world, the Stiftsbibliothek (Abbey Library) in Switzerland is an architectural masterpiece. Originally constructed as part of a monastery, the abbey became secular around 1800. It is still a fully functioning library.
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The Abbey Library has around 170,000 books, and patrons can still check items out, but only those published after 1900. Materials with earlier publication dates must remain within the library. To protect the ornate floors, patrons must wear slip-on shoe covers during visits. Admission is free if you have the Swiss Travel Pass. If not, you will have to pay a small entrance fee.
The current facility was under construction from 1758 until 1767. An Austrian architect, Peter Thumb, supervised construction. The Baroque hall includes Rococo decorations, making the Abbey Library one of the most beautiful sites in the country. The original library was open around 612 A.D., making it the third-oldest library in the world and the oldest in Switzerland. In 1983, the Abbey Library gained inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
The library’s collection includes early medieval manuscripts. Over 400 volumes are over 1,000 years old, and many of the older manuscripts are handwritten. The older texts must be handled carefully, and you may have to follow specific rules to handle them.
Whether you visit for the books or the architecture, the Abbey Library will not disappoint you. Please respect any rules within the library to ensure the preservation of this incredible collection of books and beautiful architecture.
Please share this with people who appreciate libraries and buildings with great bones.
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