Neugasse: hidden corners and metropolitan flair
Neugasse, which first appeared in historical documents in the 16th century, has undergone many changes over the centuries. It once served as a thoroughfare for craftsmen and traders bringing their goods into the city. Today, this historical spirit can still be felt. As you enter, your gaze falls on the facades that tell of a time when St. Gallen was an important textile stronghold. Many buildings steeped in history - such as the Amtshaus, which today serves as the municipal administration building and stands on the corner of Marktgasse - have survived for centuries. But Neugasse has managed to reinvent itself time and again - just as its name promises.
Of encounters and moments of pleasure
Neugasse is a wonderful place to start the day. The Schwyter family bakery is a popular meeting place for guests sipping their coffee and watching the hustle and bustle. Here you can meet young families who are out and about in the city early, enjoying their croissants before disappearing into the hustle and bustle of the market (every Friday and Saturday during the summer months) at the junction of Neugasse and Marktgasse.
"Neugasse is a great place to start the day."
Discover hidden treasures
As you stroll along Neugasse, small passages and hidden corners keep opening up, inviting you to discover them. There is Hinterlauben, for example, an alleyway that seems inconspicuous at first glance. It connects Neugasse with Bärenplatz and thus with Multergasse, the most vibrant street in the city. Hinterlauben has an eventful history. It was originally inhabited by Jewish families in the 13th century. After an act of violence in 1349, in which many Jews lost their lives, the district changed. Later, in the 16th century, Hinterlauben became a noble district. Prestigious St. Gallen families, such as that of the reformer Vadian, had their impressive townhouses built here. Today, the alley impresses with its late Gothic façades, small boutiques full of craftsmanship and unique bars and restaurants.
Business with history
Neugasse is more than just a shopping street. From lovingly run boutiques and small cafés to concept stores where sustainability is a top priority. Anyone looking for natural cosmetics and fragrant oils will find what they are looking for at Farfalla - a lovingly furnished store that invigorates the senses. Football fans will get their money's worth in the FCSG fan store, where the heart beats for the club, whether in victory or defeat. Anyone looking for a timeless memento should stop by the Labhart watch and jewelry store - a true classic since 1886 and the oldest of its kind in St.Gallen. The Globus department store exudes big-city international flair and even has a special side entrance on the Neugasse side that leads directly into the tempting world of culinary specialties.
In addition, small craft businesses, boutiques and studios provide variety. Some manufactories have been at home here for over a hundred years. For example, Sprenger Geigenbau, the oldest violin-making workshop in Switzerland, was founded in 1917. Samen Höhener AG has expanded its once modest range of vegetable, flower and perennial seeds into a flourishing business since 1948 and is now the only store of its kind in the city center.
Neugasse has its own rhythm with an interesting mix of history and modernity, encounters and diversity.