Between Lake Constance and the highest mountain in eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen nestles in a green high valley. Since the Middle Ages, the nearby Lake Constance and the river Rhine have been connecting transport routes and in 1454 the city was incorporated into the Swiss Confederation. A municipal council was founded and in the second half of the 14th century a mayor and guilds were mentioned for the first time.

Already in the Middle Ages the so-called "white city" was of great importance for the production of fabrics and the St. Gallen lace and embroidery have been in demand as export goods for centuries. The economic boom in the 19th century brought wealth and expansion to the city.

The Evangelical-Reformed church of St. Lawrence is located in the centre of the old town and was built directly next to the cathedral and the monastery district. Through the Karl gate the monastery district can be entered. The only preserved and most valuable of the once eight St. Gallen city gates. At Gallus square the urban development started.

The monastery of St. Gallen became world-famous due to the Abbey Library, which is housed in a baroque hall. It is the oldest in Switzerland and one of the oldest and largest monastery libraries in the world.

St. Gallen with all its splendour, reflects not the golden age of the monastery, but also the success of both industry and the bourgeoisie.