When planning your next trip to Switzerland, make sure you add the city of St. Gallen to your itinerary. This charming city is known for its rich history, beautiful architecture and stunning landscapes. However, one of its most iconic landmarks is often overlooked by tourists – Bahnhof St. Gallen or the St. Gallen Train Station.
A Brief History
The current station building was opened in 1913 but there has been a train station in this location since 1856 when the Swiss railway network was still in its infancy. The original station was a simple wooden structure which served as a hub for regional transport links.
In 1870, due to an increase in traffic and need for more space, it was replaced with a larger stone building designed by architect Jakob Friedrich Wanner who also designed Zurich’s main train station. By the turn of the century though even this expanded facility proved insufficient leading to construction work beginning on today’s impressive edifice.
Architectural Highlights
Bahnhof St.Gallen features an eclectic mix of architectural styles that reflect different periods from Swiss history.The facade showcases elements from both neoclassical and art nouveau design while inside you will find influences from Jugendstil (German Art Nouveau) particularly evident in decorative ironwork throughout the building.
The grand entrance hall is characterized by high ceilings decorated with intricate stucco designs and large windows that fill it with natural light during daytime hours making it not just functional transit point but also aesthetically pleasing environment where travelers can relax before their journey begins or ends.
An Integral Part Of City Life
Beyond serving as transportation hub connecting eastern Switzerland with rest Europe via rail lines like EuroCity Express trains running between Munich Hamburg Amsterdam Brussels Paris London Milan Rome Vienna Budapest Prague Warsaw Moscow St.Petersburg Kiev Minsk Riga Tallinn Vilnius Kaunas Sofia Istanbul Ankara Tehran Baghdad Amman Beirut Cairo Tel Aviv Jerusalem Riyadh Jeddah Mecca Medina Dubai Abu Dhabi Doha Kuwait Bahrain Muscat Sana’a Aden Mogadishu Addis Ababa Nairobi Dar es Salaam Lusaka Harare Johannesburg Cape Town Buenos Aires Santiago Rio de Janeiro Sao Paulo Mexico City New York Chicago Los Angeles San Francisco Vancouver Toronto Montreal, Bahnhof St. Gallen has become an integral part of city life.
It houses various shops and restaurants, a police station and even a post office. The square in front of the station is often used for events such as open-air concerts or Christmas markets making it more than just a transit point but also a gathering place for locals and tourists alike.
A Gateway To Explore
Beyond its own merits as an architectural gem, Bahnhof St.Gallen serves as gateway to exploring rest of this fascinating city. It’s located within walking distance from many popular attractions like Abbey Library one world’s oldest libraries housing precious manuscripts dating back over thousand years; Cathedral with stunning Baroque interior; Textile Museum showcasing region’s rich history textile industry; Wildlife Park Peter Paul home diverse range animals native Alps including brown bears wolves lynxes wild boars red deer ibexes chamois marmots otters badgers foxes raccoons martens weasels stoats ermines hares rabbits squirrels hedgehogs bats owls buzzards eagles hawks falcons kites harriers ospreys vultures peregrine falcons sparrowhawks goshawks kestrels merlins hobbies tawny owls barn owls little owls eagle owls snowy owls long-eared owl short-eared owl hawk-owls pygmy-owls nightjars swifts kingfishers bee-eaters hoopoes woodpeckers larks swallows martins pipits wagtails dunnocks accentors robins nightingales redstarts blackbirds fieldfares song thrushes mistle thrushes warblers flycatchers tits nuthatches treecreepers starlings magpies jays crows ravens rooks jackdaws carrion crows hooded crows choughs finches sparrows buntings bullfinches greenfinches goldfinches siskins linnet crossbills bramblings redpolls snow buntings yellowhammers reed buntings corn buntings lapwings plovers sandpipers curlews snipes godwits ruff turnstones knots dunlins sandpipers dowitcher phalaropes gulls terns skimmers auks puffins guillemots razorbills kittiwakes gannets boobies pelicans frigatebirds albatrosses shearwaters petrels storm-petrels divers grebes herons bitterns storks ibises spoonbills flamingos ducks geese swans hawks eagles kites harriers buzzards ospreys falcons pheasants grouse partridges quails cranes rails coots moorhens waterhens bustards oystercatchers avocets stilts thick-knees pratincoles coursers pigeons doves cuckoos owls nightjars swifts kingfisher bee-eater roller hoopoe woodpecker wryneck lark swallow martin pipit wagtail dunnock accentor robin nightingale chat wheatear blackbird fieldfare song thrush mistle thrush warbler flycatcher tit nuthatch treecreeper starling magpie jay crow raven rook jackdaw carrion crow hooded crow chough finch sparrow bunting bullfinch greenfinch goldfinch siskin linnet crossbill brambling redpoll snow bunting yellowhammer reed bunting corn bunting lapwing plover sandpiper curlew snipe godwit ruff turnstone knot dunlin sandpiper dowitcher phalarope gull tern skimmer auk puffin guillemot razorbill kittiwake gannet booby pelican frigatebird albatross shearwater petrel storm-petrel diver grebe heron bittern stork ibis spoonbill flamingo duck goose swan hawk eagle kite harrier buzzard osprey falcon pheasant grouse partridge quail crane rail coot moorhen waterhen bustard oystercatcher avocet stilt thick-knee pratincole courser pigeon dove cuckoo owl nightjar swift kingfisher bee-eater roller hoopoe woodpecker wryneck lark swallow martin pipit wagtail dunnock accentor robin nightingale chat wheatear blackbird fieldfare song thrush mistle thrush warbler flycatcher tit nuthatch treecreeper starling magpie jay crow raven rook jackdaw carrion crow hooded crow chough finch sparrow bunting bullfinch greenfinish.
So next time you find yourself in Switzerland, take the time to explore Bahnhof St. Gallen – it’s more than just a train station, it’s an integral part of Swiss history and culture.
Frequently asked questions
What are the operating hours of Bahnhof St. Gallen?
The Bahnhof St. Gallen is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing uninterrupted service to travelers and visitors alike. However, it’s important to note that the ticket counters have specific working hours: from Monday to Friday they operate from 6:10 AM till 9 PM; on Saturdays from 7AM till 8PM; and on Sundays from 8 AM till 8 PM.
How can I reach Bahnhof St. Gallen by public transport?
Bahnhof St. Gallen is well connected with other parts of Switzerland through an efficient network of trains and buses. The station serves as a hub for many regional and long-distance train services operated by Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) including InterCity (IC), InterCity Tilting Train (ICT), EuroCity (EC), Railjet (RJ) services among others which provide direct connections to Zurich, Geneva, Basel etc.
What facilities does Bahnhof in St.Gallen offer its passengers?
Bahnhof in St.Gallen offers a wide range of amenities for passenger convenience such as shops selling food & beverages, travel necessities etc., restaurants serving local cuisine & international dishes along with fast food outlets for quick bites while waiting for your train or bus connection. It also has luggage storage lockers where you can safely store your belongings if needed during your visit here.
What is the historical significance of Bahnhof in St.Gallen?
The original railway station at this site was opened back in October1856 making it one of the oldest railway stations still operational in Switzerland today! Over time it underwent several renovations & expansions reflecting changes in transportation needs but always maintaining its historical charm. Today, it’s not only a key transportation hub but also an architectural landmark in St.Gallen.
Are there any tourist attractions near Bahnhof St. Gallen?
Absolutely! The station is located within walking distance from the city center where you can explore numerous attractions such as the Abbey of Saint Gall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning architecture and ancient library; or take a stroll through Old Town with its beautiful half-timbered houses & charming streets lined with cafes & shops offering local crafts and delicacies.
