Monastery of St. Gall. Switzerland: attractions

Switzerland is a country that does not have an official religion, but Christianity is the dominant religion on the territory of that state. Orthodoxy is represented by a small percentage, while Catholicism (41.8% of the population) and Protestantism (35.3%) constitute two large parts.

A perfect example of medieval architecture

Even in our time, a significant part of the population professes Catholicism. Therefore, such a number of beautiful old churches and cathedrals founded by supporters of this religion are not surprising. In the city of St. Gallen is the world-famous monastery of St. Gall, which gave the name to the surrounding area of his settlement and is the abode of the Order of Benedictines. During the Middle Ages, the St. Gallen Abbey was one of the largest cultural and scientific centers in Europe. Very ancient, it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1983, which is described as "the perfect example of a large Carolingian monastery".

Irish missionaries

The monastery of St. Gall was founded by one of the 12 pupils of the Irish monk, enlightener and missionary Columbus. The name of the follower was Gull. Coming from a wealthy noble family, he devoted himself entirely to God. Irish missionaries played a very significant role in the spread of Christianity throughout medieval Europe. On the way to Northern Italy, Gall got sick. Columban, considering it cowardly and reluctance to continue a rather dangerous missionary activity, abandoned the sick student. While on Lake Constance, Gull built himself a cell in 612, in order to remain in solitude and pray. He was offered a bishopric in Constance (615), a city on the shore of Lake Constance, and the post of abbot in the monastery of Luxuy. He refused everything and died in 627 in Arbon.

The first abbot of the monastery

In 1719, on the site of the cell of the righteous, the monastery of St. Gall was erected, around which the city of St. Gallen later grew up. The first abbot of the monastery was the preacher Otmar. He restored the dilapidated cells. Thanks to his efforts, the monastery soon regained the fame of a religious center. Great donations began to be made, and the monastery becomes a large landowner. The first abbot founded the legendary library of the monastery and art workshops, the works of artists of which were famous throughout Europe. There was my own singing school here. In the monastery worked great poets and musicians of the Middle Ages. The monastery of St. Gall, by the efforts of the first abbot, also ranked saints, eventually turned into the largest Benedictine abbey.

Despite all the wars, the library of the monastery still numbers about 160,000 volumes today. Here is the "Song of the Nibelungs". The unique two-story reading room deserves separate words. It is built in the style of rococo, and above its entrance there is an inscription, which is translated from the ancient Greek language as "apothecary of the soul". This repository is considered the most interesting in the world. The monastery itself occupies one of the first lines in the list of "Switzerland. Sights". Photo, confirming the gloomy beauty of a medieval monastery, you see yourself. In this list, the library of the abbey stands out as a separate line.

The city that grew up around the monastery

It should be noted that the capital of Eastern Switzerland, located in the German part of the country, has its own coat of arms, closely associated with one of the many legends about the miracles of St. Gall. It depicts a bear in a gold chain. According to legend, St. Gallus fed the hungry bear and allowed him to bask near his fire. And the beast helped him as a token of gratitude to build a log cabin on the bank of the Steinach River and to lay thus the town of St. Gallen (Switzerland). This plot is depicted on an ivory product that dates back to the 9th century. The capital of the canton of the same name, the administrative-territorial unit of Switzerland, the city, is at an altitude of 700 meters above sea level and is the highest mountainous place in Switzerland.

Language features of the country

The city is located between two small ridges. Parallel elevations are called Rosenberg (in the north) and Freudenberg (in the south). Because of the hilly relief of St. Gallen is also called "the city of a thousand stairs."

The state languages in this country are Swiss variants of German and French, Italian and Romansh. The majority of the country's population - 63.7% - speaks German. And yet, in the country there is absolute linguistic equality. The rights of the Swiss speaking the Romansh dialects are the same as those of the majority of the population, they are present in the parliament.

The world-famous textiles of St. Gallen

Speaking about the achievements of the city, it is necessary to note the successes associated with embroidery and famous lace, known throughout the world. The industry in this city of Eastern Switzerland began with the development of the textile industry. In the period of the emergence of capitalist relations, the textile guild was at the head. From the 9th to the 18th century, this industry literally gilded the city. St. Gallen's embroideries and laces are now the decoration of the products of the leading high fashion houses. The most high-quality, elite textiles are produced here. To the sights of the city is the museum of this type of products.

Business cards of the country

And, of course, we can not fail to note the role of this country's banks in the development of the world economy. The oldest bank, Wegelin, founded in 1741, is located in the city of St. Gallen. Switzerland is a country with the oldest and largest banking system in the world. The capital of Eastern Switzerland, according to some travelers, has three wonders - abbey, weaving and bay windows, beauty, originality and number of which any European city can envy . Banks, watches, high mountain resorts, lace and cheese - this is what for a long time was the glory of the country and that is the standard and the guarantee of the highest quality in the world.

The usual history of a European country

The history of Switzerland, which has documentary evidence, began with the campaigns of Julius Caesar, that is, from the middle of the first century BC. It is known that before the conquest of these lands by Rome, here lived the Helvetians (the most extensive Celtic tribe). Therefore, Switzerland has a second name - Helvetia. After the conquest, Roman colonies were founded in these territories, and in the 4th century a new religion of Ancient Rome, Christianity, also penetrates here. Then these lands, like most of Europe, were conquered by both Charlemagne and Napoleon. During the First and Second World Wars, Switzerland adhered to neutrality, which, for obvious reasons, was strongly pro-German.

Originality of Switzerland

Officially it is considered that on August 1, 2014 the country celebrated its 720th anniversary. The history of Switzerland as a state began on this day several centuries ago. The most important holiday of the country, the Day of the founding of the state, is connected with the event that occurred in 1291, when the first three communities united in an alliance. Later, Schwyz, Uri and Unterwalden, who concluded the alliance, will be called cantons, which today in Switzerland there are 20 and six more half-cantons. These administrative-territorial units are arranged in such a way that, as a rule, people who speak the same language live in them. The boundaries in which modern Switzerland is located, mostly formed by the XVI century. This country is a confederation in which each canton is a state with its own laws, authorities and has the right to hold referendums. Freedom of religion prevails on the territory of the country. The democratic structure of Switzerland differs from most countries in Europe. The independent policy pursued by the state is also indicated by the fact that the country has not yet joined the EU.

Country fairy tale

All those who have visited this highland country call it a small quiet paradise. The sights of Switzerland are unique , photos and descriptions of which are widely available. The amazing beauty of the mountains, occupying 60% of the territory, a variety of unique museums, castles, which in most cases are a continuation of the mountains - all this makes the country with the highest standard of living not only in Europe but also in a truly fairy-tale world. About the beauty of the country says the fact that, if somewhere in the world is an amazing corner, it is immediately called the local Switzerland. The country is beautiful in all seasons, but in winter, when snow falls in St. Gallen, the city, which is exquisitely decorated for Christmas, is especially beautiful.