Textilmuseum St. Gallen
One of Europe's most important textile museums in the “Palazzo Rosso” of 1886 with embroideries, lace and pattern books; closes at the end of February 2027 for renovation.
No sound? Check your device’s silent switch.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum's roots lie in the 19th century: inspired by the world's fairs, the Merchants' Directorate set up the first pattern collections for the regional textile industry in 1863. In 1878 the “Industrie- und Gewerbemuseum St. Gallen” was founded, which opened in 1886 in a palatial historicist building by Gustav Gull on Vadianstrasse. Because of its red brick façade the building was known as the “Palazzo Rosso”; it also housed a textile library, a drawing school and, from 1890, the embroidery school.
From 1900 onwards temporary exhibitions were increasingly held, and private collections and company archives added valuable historic textiles to the original pattern collections. In 1956 an extra storey was added to the building, and in 1962 it received its grey façade paint. In 1982 the institution was renamed “Textilmuseum” and “Textilbibliothek”; since 2012 it has been run by the Verein Textilmuseum, which works closely with the Stiftung Textilmuseum.
Today the museum holds one of the most important textile collections in Switzerland: fabrics and embroideries from around the world, pattern books, design drawings and photographs tell the story of the textile industry of eastern Switzerland. Two to three special exhibitions are held each year. At the end of February 2027 the building closes for a renovation and refurbishment phase of around three years, during which the historic building will be renewed as a modern cultural institution.
Highlights
- Historicist “Palazzo Rosso” building of 1886
- Fabrics, lace and embroideries from around the world
- Pattern books and design drawings on the textile industry of eastern Switzerland
- Textile library on site
- Tröckneturm (drying tower) as a further textile site
Permanent exhibition
- Guter Stoff. Kollektion Textilmuseum – Collection presentation built around three theses: good fabric helps in every situation in life, fosters creativity and sells worldwide.
- Founded
- 1878
- Operated by
- Verein Textilmuseum
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 12 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 5Apprentices and students up to 26 years (with ID), KulturLegi, children and young people up to 18 years |
| Children & teens | CHF 5Children and young people up to 18 years pay CHF 5; admission is free when accompanied by family members and for school classes from the cantons of SG/AR |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 5Apprentices and students up to 26 years with ID |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 9 per personfrom 10 people, per person |
| KulturLegi | CHF 5 |
| St. Gallen Museum Pass (1 day) | CHF 28Admission to eleven museums in the city of St. Gallen; 2-day pass CHF 42 |
| Private guided tour, option 1 (one exhibition, approx. 1 hr, up to 25 people) | CHF 140flat rate, plus admission |
| Private guided tour, option 2 or 3 (approx. 1.5 hrs) | CHF 210flat rate, plus admission; one exhibition plus textile library, or two exhibitions |
| Private guided tour, option 4 (two exhibitions plus textile library, approx. 2 hrs) | CHF 280flat rate, plus admission |
Free for, among others, members of the Verein Textilmuseum, media representatives with a press card and holders of the Bodensee Card Plus, the Swiss Museum Pass (annual passes and vouchers), the SG Museumspass, the Swiss Travel Pass, the Raiffeisen EC-Plus card, kklick and VMS/ICOM according to the website.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The historic museum building of 1886 has only limited accessibility; visitor services should be contacted before your visit. Detailed information is provided by the Procap access monitor. Dogs are not allowed, except assistance dogs and guide dogs for the blind.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
Textile and fashion enthusiasts aged 10 and over receive the sketchbook “KARO” at visitor services; for younger children there are colouring sheets, plus the Musa mice's search booklet “Komm Rein!” for several St. Gallen museums. Special workshops and tours for children as well as programmes for Museum Day and Museum Night.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The museum is in a traffic-calmed zone near the old town and the abbey district, only a few minutes' walk from St. Gallen station; easily reached on foot or by train and bus.
By car
If arriving by car, a car park in the city centre is recommended.
Amenities & dining
- Museum shop
Museum shop on site.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
- Weddings / ceremonies
Up to 80 guests.
The Tröckneturm can be hired (ground floor for 60 to 80 people, with projector, screen, Wi-Fi and kitchen); weddings are also held there.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Public guided tour on the first Sunday of every month from 11 am to 12 noon (free of charge) as well as half-hour lunchtime tours. Private tours in German, English, Italian and French (up to 25 people); groups of 15 or more people are asked to book. School workshops will only take place until the end of 2026 because of the renovation. |
