Discover Sankt Gallen: Culture, Nature and Activity
Accommodation in Sankt Gallen
Sankt Gallen brings together architectural history, landscapes and activities for active days. For planning your trip, you can choose from different themes: the Late Gothic parish church and the ruins of Gallenstein Castle, running and walking routes along the Auszeitsteig, or the three-day Buchstein Loop by mountain bike. If you are looking for a hotel in Sankt Gallen, these options can help you decide what to focus on during your stay.
Culture and Architectural History
The parish church in Sankt Gallen was rebuilt in the Late Gothic style by master builder Bernhard Polhaymer between 1515 and 1523. A Baroque extension was added between 1736 and 1740, following plans by master builder Jakob Prandtauer. At the center of the Late Baroque high altar is Martin Johann Schmidt’s 1782 painting of the Assumption of Mary. This timeline shows the transition from the Late Gothic rebuilding to the Baroque extension and later artistic embellishments.
The Benedictines of Admont Abbey used the ruins of Gallenstein Castle as a refuge and place of escape when the abbey was no longer safe during times of war. When visibility is good, the ruins offer views of the Gesäuse mountains. Here, a specific historical purpose meets views across the mountain landscape.
Landscape and Activity
The Auszeitsteig trail runs through a gorge forest along the GroĂźer Billbach stream. It includes the MilchstraĂźenrunde, Zinkgrabenrunde and Tankstellenrunde, all three of which are running and walking routes. The Buchstein Loop offers a different focus: it is a 144-kilometer mountain bike tour that takes three days and leads through the nature park and national park around Buchstein. It starts and ends at Gasthof Hensle in Sankt Gallen. The named running and walking routes are therefore quite different from the multi-day cycling tour.
Gesäuse National Park is near Sankt Gallen. Between Sankt Gallen and Wildalpen, the landscape is shaped by orchards, forests, rivers and idyllic alpine pastures. For planning your time in nature, the distinction is clear: Gesäuse National Park is close to Sankt Gallen, while orchards, forests, rivers and idyllic alpine pastures define the landscape between Sankt Gallen and Wildalpen.
Leisure and Cultural Program
Gesäuse Adventure Golf is located right next to the Sankt Gallen Water Adventure Park and features 18 oversized XXL holes. The design of the holes may change over time. The facility is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly, with easy access throughout. If accessibility is essential for you, check the current conditions before your visit.
The swimming pool in Sankt Gallen has a large sunbathing lawn, a terrace and a dining area. The Festival Sankt Gallen program includes piano evenings, world music and readings; the specific events may vary with each edition. Alongside the historic buildings, these leisure activities and varied cultural formats provide more options for planning your trip.
For the broader travel overview: Liezen.
More Destinations
More places in the same destination:
