The oldest library in Switzerland.
Recently, I went to visit a magical place for book lovers: the library at the abbey in St. Gallen (Saint Gall). It is a medieval monastic library that is still in use, but can also be visited just
for its beauty. Both the design and books inside the library are stunning, and it has been named a UNESCO world heritage site.
Inside the library, it is rather dark and photography is prohibited to protect the books. This creates a cosy atmosphere visible on some of the professionally taken pictures without enhanced
light. The library hall was constructed between 1758 and 1767 in the Rococo style.
Some of the rare books can be looked at in open glass cases, and there are several other artefacts such as a large globe. The majority of books are visible but can only be looked at on their shelves. The main collection in the library are manuscripts from the 8th to the 11th century, and are extremely rare and valuable.
Some professionally taken pictures with more light reveal the full beauty of the library. It is a truly magical place, especially if you can manage to go without any other visitors when they open,
and spend some time in there alone.
A Greek inscription above the entrance door reads: „psyché iatreion“ , which
means "apothecary of the soul". Isn’t that beautiful?
(Images: official images from the library, as it’s forbidden to take one’s own pictures inside the library to protect the books.)