Historical sites in St. Gallen

The Tröckneturm illustrates a chapter of industrial history between the collapse of canvas production in the end of the 18th Century and the boom of the embroidery industry in the end of the 19th.

Several hundred years ago, the free Walsers lived in the Calfeisen valley. Today, the former Walser settlement of Sankt Martin is a popular excursion destination and starting point for hikes into the UNESCO World Heritage Tectonic Arena Sardona.

A romantic journey to the past!

Like many other buildings of the embroidery industry in the city of St.Gallen, the Musa Brothers company building was used in many ways over time.

The architecture of the embroidery era changed not only the western suburbs and the embroidery quarter, but also the upper part of the historic centre.

An oriel window communicates with the street. It expands the view of the residents, and simultaneously makes them visible. Oriel windows were prestigious, a way for wealthy families to highlight their status and openly compete with one another.

The well-preserved building materials of the embroidery quarter from the beginning of the 20th Century highlight the incredible economic and architectural dynamism of the embroidery era in St.Gallen. Here, the leading architects of the day were commissioned by the embroidery companies: Curjel & Moser, Wendelin Heene, Anton Aberle, Leuzinger and more.

The finishing industry was an important piece of the textile production chain and rapid changes made it technically and commercially challenging.

Since the 15th Century, the guild «zum Notenstein» had been the association of the tradesmen, in a few cases also joined by members of other professions, for example other independent professionals. Thanks to their political, economic and personal connections, the «Notensteiner» had a considerable influence on the development of the city.

The head office of “Union Bank of Switzerland” and the embroidery market was constructed between 1889 and 1891. Unlike most other commercial sites of the embroidery period it wasn’t built on green land but on the ground of the medieval historic district of St.Gallen.