St Gallen's twin-towered, mid-18th-century cathedral is only slightly less ornate than the world-famous Stiftsbibliothek library nearby. The cathedral features dark and stormy frescos and mint-green stucco embellishments. The cupola shows a vision of paradise with the Holy Trinity at the centre. Oddly, entry is by two modest doors on the north flank – there is no door in the main facade, which is actually the cathedral’s apse. Concerts are sometimes held; consult www.dommusik-sg.ch. The cathedral is closed during services.

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Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
Stiftsbibliothek
0.04 MILES
If the greatest masterpieces on earth are wrought for the glory of God, St Gallen’s Stiftsbibliothek (Abbey Library), is like a living prayer. Religious…
Schloss Vaduz
20.78 MILES
A riot of turrets and towers plonked high on a hillside and set against the theatrical backdrop of jagged mountains, Schloss Vaduz is quite the fairy-tale…
Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein
20.74 MILES
This black concrete and basalt cuboid on pedestrianised Städtle hosts temporary exhibitions, revolving around the gallery’s collection of contemporary art…
Liechtensteinisches Landesmuseum
20.87 MILES
This museum provides a fascinating romp through the principality’s past, heritage and natural history, from medieval witch trials to the manufacture of…
Rathausplatz
29.2 MILES
Often hailed as Switzerland’s most beautiful town square (no mean feat!), the elongated Rathausplatz often elicits little gasps of wonder because it's so…
Flumserberg
25.09 MILES
For a little Alpine fun, take the winding mountain road to Flumserberg, perched high above the lake and facing the impenetrable rock wall of the…
Altstadt
6.56 MILES
Set against a backdrop of rolling hills that rise to rugged mountains, Appenzell's Altstadt is Grimm fairy-tale stuff. The carved gabled houses that grab…
Seerenbachfälle
22.09 MILES
This series of three colossal waterfalls, thundering 585m from top to bottom, is fuelled by underground rivers running through the mountain rock from as…
Nearby Northeastern Switzerland attractions
1. Stiftsbibliothek
0.04 MILES
If the greatest masterpieces on earth are wrought for the glory of God, St Gallen’s Stiftsbibliothek (Abbey Library), is like a living prayer. Religious…
2. St Laurenzen-Kirche
0.09 MILES
St Gallen’s cathedral gets all the attention, but this Protestant neo-Gothic church is also beautiful, with its mosaic-tiled roof, delicate floral frescos…
3. Textilmuseum
0.14 MILES
St Gallen has long been an important hub of the Swiss textile industry, and this museum pays homage to that tradition. The collection brings together many…
4. Stadtlounge
0.2 MILES
Quite astonishingly, part of historic St Gallen is covered by a rubberised red tennis-court coating, with in-situ outdoor-furniture-like chairs, sofas and…
5. Appenzeller Schaukäserei
3.8 MILES
Cheese-lovers won't want to miss out on a visit to this dairy, where an iPad tour gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the cheesemaking process,…
6. Appenzeller Volkskunde Museum
4.02 MILES
This folklore museum, its collection spanning everything from pastoral paintings to embroidery, provides an insight into rural Appenzell life. From April…
7. Hauptgasse
6.46 MILES
Appenzell's main pedestrian drag is a stunner, lined with lavishly muralled facades and shops selling everything from folk costumes to local cheese and…
8. Badhütte
6.48 MILES
Out on the lake is the 1920s Badhütte, attached to land by a little covered bridge. It's a pleasant place for a refreshing dip in the water and a drink.