Kantonsbibliothek Vadiana

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History: The origin of the library is the so-called Vadianische Sammlung, named after the St.Gallen reformer Joachim von Watt (1484-1551), also known as Vadian. Shortly before his death, he bequeathed the collection to the city. In 1615, Jakob Studer reorganised it and it has been steadily expanded ever since. The library, whose holdings were enlarged by St.Gallen citizen families, was the cultural centre of the city republic of St.Gallen for centuries. Architecture: The Vadiana building, completed in 1907 by Karl Mossdorf, embodies the claim to a cultural centre that grew out of tradition, both architecturally and in its design. The asymmetrical, distinctive building shows its two main functions on the outside: to the west is the villa-like administrative wing with offices and reading rooms, as well as a top-floor flat with elegantly curved dormer windows in the mansard roof. To the east stretches a long building with a row of tall, church-like round-arched windows. It houses the archive and library storage rooms. Between these parts stands an entrance projection with a heavy baroque-style portal and decorative gable. Inside the building – in the entrance hall and corridors – the many heavy and noble materials stand out (limestone, sandstone and slate, and various kinds of marble). One sixth of the construction costs is said to have gone on stonemasonry! Coloured marble panelling, Art Nouveau stucco, coffered ceiling, artistic glazing and wrought ironwork: the building has largely been preserved in its original state inside and out. In the experts’ opinion: the finest Swiss library and archive building of the turn of the century. Current use: Today, the Kantonsbibliothek Vadiana houses the administration of the Kantonsbibliothek St.Gallen (media can only be borrowed at the Bibliothek Hauptpost on Gutenbergstrasse 2 near the main station), the Vadianische Sammlung of the Ortsbürgergemeinde St.Gallen, and the city archive of the Politische Gemeinde and that of the Ortsbürgergemeinde St.Gallen. Viewing the various collections is possible by prior appointment.