For once, let's not approach this city from its center or its world-famous cultural treasures, but from the periphery, which is otherwise only mentioned in passing. Because exquisite tourist delicacies are also hidden on the outskirts of St. Gallen. We begin in the Haggen district with a hike on the bridge path, which turns out to be an excursion through the history of Swiss bridge construction over the past three centuries. On a stretch of eight kilometers there are no less than eighteen bridges over the Sitter and its tributaries, made of wood, rubble, iron, steel, concrete, and on the winding path you can experience the buildings from constantly changing perspectives, from above and below, from the side, front and back.
The covered Hüsli Bridge over the Urnäsch is an early masterpiece of bridge architecture. Locals know it as a "speaking bridge", because numerous inscriptions on its roof girders tell of the building history: "The bridge was built in 1780", it says. About the architect it says: "Werck master Hans Ulrich Grubenmann von Teufen his age 72 years"; and about the location: “The Brug in the deep ravine, is called here in the Kobel”. Regional history was later made by the Sitter Viaduct from 1910 as the highest standard-gauge railway bridge in Europe in a combined steel-stone construction, as well as the A 1 motorway bridge, under the roadway of which a curious footbridge was installed for pedestrians and cyclists. The pedestrian walkway rake is a swaying fun for children and parents,which the Swiss call "Ganggelibrogg", wobbly bridge. The technical and optical highlight of the hike is an ensemble of bridges from different centuries: the modern iron construction Haggen-Stein spans the two covered, wooden Hüsli bridges on the Sitter and the Wattbach stream.
Manufacturers' villas with a view of Lake Constance
A no less attractive trio are the Drei Weieren, three dreamy ponds on Freudenberg above the city center of St. Gallen. They unite to form the most beautiful bathing establishment in Switzerland - no small rating in a country with many wonderful lake, river and natural swimming pools. Even the easy access with the Mühlegg funicular directly from the city center is a welcome introduction to bathing fun. On the banks of the ponds there are reeds and water lilies in some places, there are separate areas for sport swimmers and non-swimmers, and the soft, naturally cloudy water is great for swimming and paddling. From the sunbathing lawns with ancient trees, wooden walkways lead to the water, time-honored changing rooms and kiosks with turrets and bay windows complete the romantic picture.A panoramic path meanders along the ponds, near which the cowbells ring. The city center is just below, and in the distance you can look up and across Lake Constance to Friedrichshafen.