The textile-making history of St.Gallen

Discover our region’s current and historical ties to the textile industry

Over the years, St.Gallen and Eastern Switzerland have built a global reputation for producing high-quality fabrics and exquisite embroidery – quite the track record. The textile industry was already flourishing here back in the Middle Ages and early modern times, and St.Gallen merchants did a thri-ving trade in linen throughout Europe. Around 1850, embroidery took over from cotton production as the main source of income in the region. This drastically changed the area. Although embroidery has lost some of its importance here since the First World War, many companies in Eastern Switzerland remain market leaders in the global textile industry and related sectors, ranging from haute couture to medical technology. Today, innovations in textiles are also influencing other industries, such as plastics manufacturing and filter technology. In short, St.Gallen embroidery continues to blaze a trail worldwide.

History of the textile industry in Eastern Switzerland

Textilland Ostschweiz

Top of Textile: Touch it, feel it, love it – and show it!

Want to sew your own unique piece using St.Gallen textiles? Want to take a walk and learn more about the history and architecture of selected textile-industry buildings? Want to sleep in high-quality St.Gallen textiles? You can do all this and more at Textilland Ostschweiz! Once, around half of all embroidered products came from Eastern Switzerland. Yes, we’re talking worldwide. That was 100 years ago, but Eastern Switzerland is still setting the bar when it comes to textiles today. The expertise, ingenuity and creativity of countless bright minds make this possible. And TEXTILES can do so much more than you might think. St.Gallen products feature on catwalks around the world, captivating fashion audiences. Eastern Switzerland’s textiles are also at the forefront of medical technology, architecture, the hotel industry and many other sectors. The Verein Textilland Ostschweiz (Textilland Ostschweiz Association) invites you to explore the region’s rich textile-related past and future. Start your voyage through history now!

Textile experiences

Textilland Ostschweiz has so many textile experiences for you to enjoy. Why not visit the Textile Museum, stroll along the St.Gallen Textile Trail, or take a sewing workshop at the textile studio?

All textile experiences

Textile-themed stays

Textilland Ostschweiz is a top attraction by day. But did you know it also has lots to offer at night? Here you can dream of (and in) textiles. The rooms in these hotels are kitted out with some of our exquisite local textiles.

All textile hotels

Events

Come and enjoy a programme of exhibitions, workshops and many other textile-related events. Immerse yourself in our textile-making heritage and be inspired by our future in textiles.

All textile-related events

Shopping

Retail outlets of leading textile companies, boutiques and creative studios: shop to your heart’s con-tent at Textilland Ostschweiz and find that special little something that’s waiting just for you.

All textile shops

Ready to discover St.Gallen’s textile-making history?

Plan your visit to St.Gallen now and immerse yourself in the rich textile-related history of Eastern Switzerland. You are sure to find your perfect textile adventure right here.

St. Gallen

Bischoff Textil

The founding fathers of Bischoff Textil AG not only showed a pioneering spirit in terms of textile technology, but also in terms of architecture. The building, erected in 1957, was the first high-rise in the city of St.Gallen and is an example of urbanization, densification and technical innovation.