Kirche St. Gallus (Church of St. Gallus), Bregenz (must see)

Kirche St. Gallus stands on one of the oldest documented Christian sites in the Lake Constance region. Archaeological excavations in 1973 uncovered remains of a late Roman or early medieval church, confirming that worship has taken place here since at least the 5th century. In 610 AD, the Irish missionaries Saint Gall and Columban are said to have restored a ruined church on this site, strengthening early Christian life in the area and linking the place to wider missionary networks of the time.

The central nave of the present building dates to around 1380 and reflects Gothic construction methods. Pointed arches and thick masonry walls still define its core structure. In 1737–1738, master builder Franz Anton Beer led a Baroque redesign that transformed the interior while keeping the medieval structure. The tower also shows different phases: Gothic lower walls from 1480 and an onion dome added in the late 17th century.

Standing on slightly raised ground, the church has a clear presence within the historic quarter. The sandstone porch-belfry and solid exterior walls underline its medieval origins, while later Baroque additions introduce movement and contrast. These visible phases allow visitors to read the building’s long architectural development directly from its façade.

Inside, Late Baroque and Rococo decoration shape the atmosphere. The marble chancel and finely carved choir stalls, originally from Mehrerau Abbey, demonstrate high craftsmanship. A notable highlight is the Silver Altar from the late 16th century, composed of around forty individual silver elements. Together, these features present a church formed by centuries of religious continuity and artistic adaptation.