The Abbey of St Gall, in the eastern Swiss city of St. Gallen, is considered a perfect example of a great Carolingian monastery. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. From the 8th century to its secularization in 1805, this Benedictine monastery was one of the most important in Europe. The convent library (Stiftsbibliothek) is deservedly world-famous: it is one of the richest and oldest in the world and contains 130,000 books, including precious manuscripts such as the earliest-known architectural plan drawn on parchment.
