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St. Gallen Textile Center

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St. Gallen Textile Center (Switzerland)

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The Textile Museum and Textile Archive in St. Gallen are the custodians of a centuries-old tradition that made Eastern Switzerland world-famous. Since the 15th century, St. Gallen has been a hub for linen production, later transitioning to cotton processing and intricate embroidery. 'St. Gallen lace' became a global export hit in the late 19th century, adorning the elites of Paris and New York. Today, the museum houses one of the world's most significant collections of textiles and embroideries, featuring both historical masterpieces and contemporary designs. While the textile industry's economic dominance has faded since its peak, St. Gallen remains an innovation center for technical textiles and Haute Couture. Prestigious fashion houses still source fabrics from local manufacturers for their runway collections. The archive serves as an inexhaustible source of inspiration for designers worldwide, preserving the region's specialized technical expertise.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-1-14812171818141040
Rain mm9977959214715615816611610189104

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?
The St. Gallen Textile Center is a historically and economically significant site for textile production and embroidery, now focusing on technical textiles. It shapes the region as a traditional and innovative hub.
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Visiting
The textile factories are generally not open to the public, but the Textile Museum St. Gallen provides a comprehensive insight into the history. From the outside, some historic factory buildings are visible along the Steinach river.
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Where to view it
From the tower of St. Laurenzen Church, there's a good view of the former textile district. The wooden bridge over the Steinach also gives a beautiful perspective on the old factory façades.
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Local products
High-quality embroideries and technical textiles are still produced in St. Gallen. Travelers can purchase embroidered products such as tablecloths or clothing accessories in the old town boutiques.
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Active season
Production runs all year round, with the fashion industry producing seasonal collections. The main season for the embroidery industry is traditionally spring and autumn, when new designs are presented.
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Nearby
A visit to the textile center can be well combined with the Textile Museum and St. Gallen's old town. The nearby Abbey Library with its manuscripts is also a valuable addition.

Geography

Coordinates
47.42450, 9.37670

Facts

  • The Textile Museum of St. Gallen was established in 1878.
  • Around 1910, embroidery was Switzerland's most important export, accounting for 18 percent of the total.
  • The archive contains over 5,000 pattern books with original fabric samples from various eras.
  • The world's first embroidery machine was perfected in St. Gallen by Isaak Gröbli in 1863.
  • Fashion houses such as Chanel, Dior, and Armani still use embroideries from St. Gallen today.
  • The Abbey Library of St. Gallen also preserves early documents related to the region's linen industry.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Abbey District of St. GallenAbbey District of St. Gallen<1 km · SWExplore →
Rauhenstein CastleRauhenstein Castle3 km · NExplore →
HerisauHerisau9 km · SWExplore →
GoldachGoldach9 km · NEExplore →
GossauGossau10 km · WExplore →
RorschachRorschach10 km · NEExplore →
AppenzellAppenzell11 km · SExplore →
ArbonArbon11 km · NExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Sights in the town St. Gallen Textile Center (10)

St. Laurenzen

St. Laurenzen church in the city of St. Gallen, Switzerland.

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Kloster St. Gallen⛪ monastery

Abolished monastery and collegiate district with cathedral in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Cathedral

Cathedral in the city of St. Gallen, Switzerland.

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Abbey Library🏛 museum

The Abbey Library is the oldest library in Switzerland, holding about 170,000 books.

🕒 Mo-Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 10:00-16:00; Nov: "Im November 3 Woche♿💶

Karlstor

A gate building in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Waaghaus

Former trading hall, now a multi-purpose building in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Doppelgänger

Gallery in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Kellerbühne

Theatre in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Textilmuseum🏛 museum

Museum of cultural history in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Projektraum 4 1/2🏛 museum

Exhibition space in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the textile archive?
The archive is part of the Textile Museum St. Gallen, which is open to the public.
What is St. Gallen famous for in textile history?
St. Gallen lace is world-famous and is still used today by Parisian fashion houses.
When is the museum open?
Usually daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Are there special guided tours?
Yes, there are thematic tours about embroidery and the modern textile industry.
Is the museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the Textile Museum is largely wheelchair accessible.
St. Gallen Textile Center: where is it located?
St. Gallen Textile Center is located in Switzerland.
St. Gallen Textile Center: what is there to see?
Highlights include St. Laurenzen, Kloster St. Gallen, Cathedral.
St. Gallen Textile Center: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
St. Gallen Textile Center: why is it worth visiting?
The Textile Museum and Textile Archive in St.
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History & landmarks

Sankt Gallen — St. Gallen Textile Center (Switzerland)
Sankt Gallen
A major city in Eastern Switzerland famous for its UNESCO-listed Abbey District.