Kulturmuseum St. Gallen
Museum of history, archaeology and ethnology in the Stadtpark with permanent exhibitions from the Stone Age to non-European cultures, and a children's museum.
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About the museum
The foundation of the museum was laid by two associations: the historical collection comes from the Historischer Verein des Kantons St. Gallen (founded 1859), the ethnographic collection from the Ostschweizerische Geographisch-Commerzielle Gesellschaft (founded 1878). In 1917 both donated their holdings to the St. Gallen Ortsbürgergemeinde (citizens' community), which had a new museum building constructed in the east of the Stadtpark between 1915 and 1921. It opened in 1921; the building is regarded as the last cultural landmark that the city owes to the embroidery boom.
In the following decades the collections grew continuously. In 1979 the then "Historisches Museum und Völkerkundemuseum" received a new governing body, the "Stiftung St. Galler Museen", together with the natural history and art museums; since 1 January 2012 it has been an independent foundation. At the beginning of 2023 the museum was renamed "Kulturmuseum St.Gallen" – as a short form of "Kulturhistorisches Museum", following the names of the art and natural history museums.
Today the museum shows cultural history, archaeology and non-European cultures. The centrepiece of the historical collection is the large city model of St. Gallen around 1642 in the main hall on the first floor; there are also archaeological finds from the canton, decorative arts such as Art Nouveau and porcelain, and ethnological holdings on North America and Asia. The museum places particular emphasis on offerings for families and children, including its own children's museum.
Highlights
- City model of St. Gallen around 1642 in the main hall
- Archaeology exhibition with finds from the city and canton of St. Gallen
- Children's museum as a destination for families
- Ethnological collection with Asia as well as Native Americans and Inuit
- Museum building from 1921 in the Stadtpark with MuCafé
Permanent exhibitions
- Faszination Archäologie – Archaeological finds and treasures from St. Gallen soil from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages.
- Kindermuseum – Exhibition area for families with children to discover and take part.
- St.Gallen vor 500 Jahren – Insights into a turbulent era in which Vadian and the saints play a role.
- Founded
- 1921
- Operated by
- Stiftung Historisches und Völkerkundemuseum St. Gallen
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 10AHV/IV (old-age/disability insurance) with ID, groups of 8 or more |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Children and young people up to 18 years have free admission (up to 16 years only when accompanied by adults) |
| Seniors | CHF 10AHV with ID |
| Visitors with disabilities | CHF 10companion free · IV with ID |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 6Apprentices, pupils and students |
| Groups (8+ people) | CHF 10 per personfrom 8 people |
| KulturLegi | CHF 5 |
| On-Stage card | CHF 6on presentation of an admission ticket paid on the same day at the Kunstmuseum St. Gallen |
Free admission: Vernissages and International Museum Day
Free admission, among others, for holders of the Swiss and St. Gallen Museum Pass, the Raiffeisen card (MemberPlus), the Bodensee-Erlebniskarte and STS Swiss Travel System tickets, for members of VMS and ICOM, for public schools from the city and canton of St. Gallen with teachers, and for media professionals according to the website.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Steps lead to the main entrance; wheelchair users use the side entrance on the south side in the Stadtpark and announce themselves via the intercom. A lift serves all exhibition areas (basement and toilets only with assistance), and the children's museum can also be reached by a stairlift. Most rooms are barrier-free; a few historic rooms have high thresholds. There is a wheelchair-accessible toilet in the basement. Details are available from OK:GO and the Ginto app.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
The museum places great emphasis on offerings for families and children: its own children's museum as a permanent exhibition as well as, as a rule, monthly themed tours, workshops and storytelling hours; children on the children's mailing list receive a reminder email in advance.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Theater
From St. Gallen station take city bus lines 1 (towards Stephanshorn or Guggeien), 7 (towards Neudorf) or 11 (towards Mörschwil) to the "Theater" stop, then walk through the Stadtpark.
Amenities & dining
- Café
MuCafé in the building, run with the team of GHG Sonnenhalde Tandem (coffee, panini, soups, apéro).
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
Rental of the lecture hall and inner courtyard, CHF 850 per day each; private tours on request (CHF 150 on weekdays Tue–Fri, CHF 200 at weekends, plus admission in each case).
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Public short tours of around 30 minutes ("Kultur über Mittag") and thematic tours, also in the permanent exhibitions; private tours on request. School classes from the city of St. Gallen have free tours, for other schools a tour costs CHF 80; museum suitcases can be borrowed for CHF 20. |
