Three Ponds

High above the old town of St. Gallen, on the wooded Freudenberg ridge, three artificial ponds lie in a hollow among the trees. They are known as the Drei Weieren, the Three Ponds, and they have been part of the city's landscape for centuries. The ponds were created for practical reasons, to hold water for the textile industry, where the cloth that made St. Gallen rich was washed and bleached, and to serve as a reserve for fighting fires. As the industry changed, the ponds changed their role, and today they are a beloved recreation area where residents come to swim, sunbathe and walk.

The layout reflects the habits of earlier times. Historically the ponds were divided, with one used for men and another for women, and the older bathing houses and wooden changing rooms still carry that tradition. A bathing house for men, known locally as the Männli, remains a distinctive building at the water's edge, and a family bath now sits alongside it. The water is natural and cool, the banks are lined with trees, and sunbathing decks and lawns provide space for lying in the sun. In hot summers the pools fill with city residents looking for relief, while the surroundings stay quiet.

The position makes the visit special. From the ridge above the ponds, the view runs over the roofs of St. Gallen and out across the hills toward Lake Constance. A path leads up to a lookout, and the way up through the woods is part of the pleasure. The Three Ponds are a favourite place for a picnic, and the shady paths make for gentle walks in every season. In winter, the frozen surface and the snowy woods give the place a different mood.

Getting there is part of the charm. A short funicular, the Mühleggbahn, climbs from the foot of the slope near the old town to the ponds, and a city bus line also serves the area. It is also possible to walk up from the old town in a few minutes, taking a path through the trees. Parking is limited, so public transport is the easier option.

Opening times for the bathing facilities depend on the season and weather, and some parts of the area are open to everyone at any time. Check conditions before you set out, and bring a towel and sun protection in summer.