Textile Museum (St. Gallen)

The Textile Museum in St. Gallen is housed in a historic building from the late 19th century in the centre of the city, and it tells the story of the industry that made St. Gallen rich. In the second half of the 19th century and into the early 20th, the city and its region were among the world’s leading producers of embroidery and lace, and fine fabrics from eastern Switzerland were sold across Europe and to markets overseas. The trade shaped the city’s skyline, its merchant houses and its institutions, and the museum has been collecting the evidence of it since the 19th century, when it began as a collection for local designers and manufacturers.

The core of the collection consists of embroidery, lace and textiles, ranging from delicate historic pieces to examples of the industrial work that filled export catalogues. You see fine hand embroidery next to machine-made lace, pattern books, designs, samples and the tools used to make them. The museum also holds clothing and accessories, and its exhibitions place the textiles in the context of fashion history, showing how styles in Paris and elsewhere used St. Gallen fabrics in dresses and haute couture. Temporary exhibitions explore fashion, material and design, from historic garments to contemporary work, so the displays change from year to year. Parts of the museum may be closed or rearranged during renovations or exhibition changes, so check the museum’s website for the latest layout.

The relevance goes beyond the objects. St. Gallen’s textile history is part of European economic history, and the museum explains the boom and later decline of the trade, including the effect of the First World War and changes in fashion. It also looks at how textile research and design continue in the region today, and the link to modern fashion. For visitors who know the city only for its abbey, the museum adds an essential second story, one of commerce and craft.

Practical arrangements, including ticket prices, discounts and accessibility, change from time to time, so verify current information before your visit. The museum is located in the city centre, within walking distance of the Abbey District and the old town, and a visit fits easily with the Abbey Library and the cathedral.

The museum suits fashion and design lovers, history fans, families with older children and anyone interested in how a small Swiss city became a global textile centre. Allow one to two hours.