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Switzerland AttrActs religious trAvel groups

St. Gallen, a of ecclesiastical treasures and Old World charm, observes a special anniversary

By Don Heimburger aith travel groups have a particu- lection of books reveals the development The Abbey Llibrary contains 150,000 larly enticing reason to venture to of European culture and documents the volumes, but its true treasure lies in the F in 2012. Abbey of St. Gall from the 8th century to manuscript collection. Roughly 2,000 That’s because one of the country’s the monastery’s dissolution in 1805. manuscripts are archived, and some most important faith destinations is cel- During its first few centuries, the 400 are more than 1,000 years old. ebrating 1,400 years of religious tradi- abbey grew rapidly, becoming a flour- Particularly significant are the Irish- tion. St. Gallen’s Jubilee this year looks ishing spiritual and cultural center, fa- Celtic manuscripts. Although many of back on more than a millennium of reli- mous for its writings and the illumination them were lost, the collection is one of gious heritage and will feature an array of manuscripts. A number of the abbey’s the most important in the world. Also of festivities to mark the occasion. invaluable is the Latin-German dictionary that originated in 790; it is the oldest ST. GALLEN ON DISPLAY IN 2012 German book known to exist. St. Gallen, population 70,000, is History shows that around 612 AD close to Lake Constance and nearby an Irish monk from named Mt.Säntis and is a gateway to the tow- Gallus built a hermitage and a house of ering . It is the capital prayer in the Steinbach Valley here. It is of the canton of the same name. said that Saint Gallus, upon first walk- An economic center and railway hub ing through the area toward with Weinstein Castle vineyards, for Eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen is St. Gallen Rhine Valley other monks, became ill and was left on internationally renowned for its textile in- the shores of nearby Lake Constance dustry, which dates to the 15th century. creative monks made important contri- to recuperate. When Gallus was better, The town’s most famous landmark is butions to the cultural history of . he came to a clearing near the Stein- its Baroque cathedral and the Abbey Between 1758 and 1767, abbots bach River, and approached by a hun- Library, which houses thousands of pre- Cölestin Gugger von Staudach and Beda gry bear, offered the bear some food. cious historical documents, some hand- Angehrn commissioned building of the In return, the bear brought Gallus wood written and some more than 1,000 years library’s magnificent Baroque hall, which for a fire, and Gallus took that as a sign old. The library, open for tours, is one of was decorated and furnished by master he should build a church, which was the the most important monastic libraries in craftsmen from the Lake Constance Monastery of St. Gallus. Today, many the world and has been designated a region. The hall is considered to be one icons of the monk and the bear can be UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its col- of the finest of its kind. located in town.

Switzerland Tourism Photos

View towards Mt. Kronberg and Mt. Saentis, Canton Appenzell A Baroque jewel: The magnificent hall of St. Gallen’s Abbey Library

Gallus’ Irish ancestry forms an impor- region of St. Gallen will celebrate with Center will make the Abbey District tant part of this tradition, which has been tours, theater performances, a variety of more welcoming, and new signage will handed down through generations, says outings, art exhibitions and culinary make it easier to navigate. St. Gallen Tourism Director Boris specialties in city-center restaurants. An opening-day ceremony in the Tschirky. “The 2012 Gallus Anniversary “The 2012 Gallus Anniversary is Cathedral and inauguration of the will draw on this. The bond with Ireland intended to astonish, delight and touch Visitors Center, opening of residents’ has always been an important part of the people, to encourage them to reflect homes in the Abbey District for small remembrance of Gallus; within the and to inspire them,” St. Gallen events, a culinary market, street artists framework of the anniversary, this bond Thomas Scheitlin says. and musicians in more than 22 locations, is both maintained and deepened.” The main focus of Jubilee 2012 will and a festival in the Old Town will be part be in the Abbey District, a UNESCO of the anniversary celebration. The JUBILEE EVENTS World Heritage Site, and the surround- Abbey Library will display manuscripts Between April and October, the ing Old Town. A newly-created Visitors and prints that document life in the area.

Switzerland a Call to ZURICH AND adventure For many groups, Zurich’s airport will be the gateway to Switzerland. Lucerne to host annual meeting Christianity in Zurich, home of the Swiss of adventure travel specialists Reformation, began in the 4th century. Zurich made a significant mark in Christian history in the 16th century when the voted to become a Protestant city. Catching a train or other convenient transportation from Zurich to other historical faith sites is easy. Lucerne, one hour by train from Zurich, traces its roots to the St. Leode- gar monastery, a small 8th century Benedictine cloister on the River. For centuries people and goods have passed this way to and from the , and pilgrims have f your group is like a lot of adventure trav- mountains to on-top-of-the-world views I elers, cutting-edge sports and stimulating in a short period of time. An interconnected, followed St. Jacob’s Way to Santiago outdoor activities are the name of the game. well-planned transportation system, from through Lucerne. The stretch between Switzerland has been at the forefront of trains and cable to chairlifts and Schwarzenburg and includes exciting travel quests for decades. With funiculars, can easily handle groups who the 600-year-old Frybourgstrass, a glaciers, lush forests and nature parks, want to get to their jumping-off point extensive hiking paths and mountain huts, quickly and easily. Conveniently, path that leads through forests and resplendent lakes and rushing streams, this are in close proximity to mountain resorts. over streams, past castle ruins, eye-popping country rates high on the At the end of an active day you’ll find chapels and shrines. adventure charts. some of the best cheese (like Vacherin In addition to the many adventure Mont d’O), chocolates and hospitality Lucerne is the springboard for trips activities, the ’ jagged peaks, awaiting you at the many , bed and to numerous lakeside communities and gushing waterfalls and postcard-worthy breakfasts, and pensions. To carb-up for attractions, all accessible via Lake alpine are a visual delight. the next day’s adventure, Swiss fondue, Lucerne Navigation Company’s 20 The diversity of climates, moreover, raclette and rosti dishes await the hungry gives outdoor lovers a wealth of choices. adventurer, along with a good glass of boats. Since 1837 these boats have In one day you can go from snow-capped wine or beer. And the Swiss are known been a vital link in the area’s trans- summits to lakes lined with palm trees in also for their excellent spa facilities that portation system, carrying passengers the Italian-speaking region, known treat the weary traveler after a long, in and offering delicious meals for its Mediterranean lifestyle. hard day. The list of activities for the serious It’s no wonder then that the Adventure and snacks on board. The boats are adventurer is long. You can go parasailing Travel Trade Association has scheduled its available for group charters. on the many exquisite lakes, or mountain ninth annual Adventure Travel World Summit Lucerne-area attractions accessible climbing or hiking in the regions of Lucerne, for Oct. 8-11 at the Culture and Congress or the , all Center in Lucerne. As many as 600 adventure by lake boats, trains or include: spectacularly beautiful areas. You can go tourism professionals from more than 50 • 6,995-foot-high Mt. , home boating, hang gliding, kayaking or sailing nations will gather in this supreme adventure of the world’s steepest cogwheel rail- in the central part of the country, or snow- travel destination. way, where you can get a 360-degree boarding, skiing, swimming or bicycling in As once said, “Twenty years the Jura Mountains. These mountains are from now you will be more disappointed view of Switzerland. A day excursion to dotted with caves—some of the largest in by the things you didn’t do than by the the “Dragon Mountain” can include a Switzerland—and covered with forests and ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, spectacular ride down by aerial cable- unique geological formations. The area also sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the way and panorama gondola. has the longest hiking season of any of trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. the country’s mountain regions, so it’s Discover.” • Mt. , “Queen of the Mountains,” great for a spring or fall trip. Switzerland is ready for the adventurer offers breathtaking views of the Swiss Numerous groups come to Switzerland in all of us. From rails to sails to trails, from Alps, 13 lakes and views as far away each year to inhale the fresh air, test their hikes to bikes, from skiing to snowshoeing, endurance and soak in the sights. You can this small country is the essence of big as and . The railway go from level plateaus to mid-range adventure. to the top features old-fashioned

24 April 2012 LeisureGroupTravel.com Lucerne’s trademark covered bridge on steam trains, which can be chartered. inscriptions, an Anabaptists Bridge and For information on the 2012 Gallus Numerous hiking paths thread the even the Anabaptists Archives with Anniversary and heritage tourism in mountainside. unpublished documents. Switzerland, visit gallusjubilaeum.ch or The Museum of the Reformation is a myswitzerland.com/heritage. SO MANY OPTIONS must-see in . The building once Switzerland offers many other faith served as an complex for GETTING AROUND SWITZERLAND travel options, such as a monastery or Huguenot refugees; it in turn is built on Faith-based travel planners have a abbey stay; the convent of St. Muestair the ruins of St. Peter’s cloister. Some of number of good reasons to bring their offers an overnight in a mountain hut. the oldest French Bibles in the groups to St. Gallen and other historic The Abbey of Einsiedeln, an hour east world, plus Calvin’s biblical commen- Swiss religious sites: of Lucerne, is the home of the Black taries, are found here, as are caricatures Zurich’s location in the heart of Madonna and has attracted the devout and pamphlets used to argue Protestant Europe makes it a convenient entry for 1,000 years. or Catholic perspectives. point (70 airlines fly into the airport). The In the Jura region west of Lucerne is Switzerland provides numerous reli- has been named on nu- the Anabaptist Trail where Anabaptists gious travel possibilities, and the main merous occasions as “Europe’s Leading fled in the 17th century. Here you can question will be: When does your group Airport.” Zurich offers easy access to a visit secret meeting places with early want to go? number of Swiss attractions and other countries. The Swiss travel system is one of the most advanced in the world, from The world’s steepest cogwheel railway swift cross-country trains, to buses that climbs to the top connect major cities with rural areas, to of Mt. Pilatus. lake boats, aerial cableways and moun- tain railways that further make travel so convenient in this country of eight million people. Surprisingly, 97% of the live within two miles walking distance of public transportation. A Swiss Pass entitles groups to unlimited travel on numerous modes of transport and offers free entrance to 450 museums (in- cluding the Abbey Library in St. Gallen). The Swiss, while having four official (German, French, Italian and Romansch), for the most part also speak English. LGT

LeisureGroupTravel.com April 2012 25 Schynige-Platte cogwheel railway Train travel in Switzerland. Switzerland’s public transportation network is second to none. It’s fast, efficient, frequent and connects even the most remote places. Explore Switzerland with a single ticket for trains, busses and boats: the Swiss Pass.

Lucerne - in the heart of Switzerland. the construction of the Rhaetian Railway Lucerne has it all: the great transport mu- and the Bernina Express, which reaches seum, the first and the steepest cogwheel as far as Veltlin, Upper Engadin has been railways, a narrow-gauge panoramic train, accessible to the entire world - and peo- and historic steamships on Lake Lucerne. ple from all over the world love this valley, Thanks to its attractions, its souvenir and which delights visitors with its incompara- watch shops, the impressive mountai- ble nature at all times of the year. nous panorama and the nearby excursion mountains of the Rigi and Mt. Pilatus, Sunstar Hotels - Alpine Emotions. the town is a destination for many travel Sunstar, founded in 1969, is the only groups on their journey through the Lake genuinely Swiss Group, with nine Lucerne Region. A train buff‘s paradise! first-class hotels nestled in the Alps and offering a total of over 1,670 beds in 915 Engadin St. Moritz - rooms. , , Flims, Klosters, UNESCO World Heritage site. Lenzerheide, , Zermatt and The UNESCO World Heritage recognition Wengen are the best-known resorts. of the high-altitude engineering wonder- Whether you come for a walking or winter land through Switzerland’s Engadin Valley sports vacation, to visit a spa center or to honors one of the most spectacular, tech- attend a meeting or other special event nically innovative and harmonious narrow- – at Sunstar Hotels, guests with varied in- gauge railways. Since the extension of terests will feel at home and enjoy “Alpine the road system through these passes, emotions”.

For information on Switzerland, please visit MySwitzerland.com/steam For bookings, call Rail Source International: 1-800-551-2085