In the vaulted basement of the Library building is a fine display of the historical development of the Abbey. It was founded by St. Gall, an Irish monk of the company of Colombo (they who saved civilization in the dark days of the Viking raids in the 800’s). What was a rugged, swampy forest became of flourishing settlement, then town, then Roman base, then a great Abbey with lands, until the Reformation split the city into Reformed and Catholic. Because each depended on the other for land and food they worked together in mostly harmony. (And the Abbott had the grace to stop the building of the monastery’s pigsty next to the Reformed City Church, though the land was the Abbey’s to do with as they pleased.)
The founder himself. Sort of.
Roman coins found in the area.
A gorgeous carved ivory book cover, centuries old.
Old things dug up. Fine workmanship.
Johnny Appleseed with his kettle on his head? No.
Another depiction of St. Gall, painted wood carving from the late Gothic period (I.e. medieval).
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