When the Irish monk Gallus came to the mountain valley of today’s St. Gallen in 612, he stumbled among the wild vegetation of the Mülenenschlucht gorge and fell into a thorn bush. This and his subsequent encounter with a bear were seen by Gallus as signs from the heavens that he had found a new home.
Under the moniker "Gallusjubiläum" the beautiful UNESCO world heritage city of St. Gallen celebrates its 1,400th anniversary with a varietey of exhibitions, concerts, readings and historical guide tours.
But the "Gallusjubiläum" is but one of many festivals which take place in spring. In the sunny region of Ticino first harbingers of summer will be celebrated during the "Notta biancha" in Locarno and Central Switzerland is red-hot for the 1st Firefighter Festival in Interlaken!
Visit all these festivals by train - and save money with our new offer Twice as Nice! Book two travelers on a Swiss Saver 4-day Pass or Swiss Saver 4-day Flexi Pass by May 25, 2012 and only pay the rate for one traveler!
Join in on Switzerland's Festival time!
A hundred years after Gallus had built his monk’s cell, a monastery was set up in the same place. It eventually became one of the most important mediaeval schools of learning in the Western world, and the city of St. Gallen eventually grew around it. 2012 now marks the 1,400th anniversary of Gallus’s arrival. Both the city and the region will be honouring their patron saint from April 20 to October 16 with a varied anniversary programme.
On May 12, the southern city Locarno celebrates "Notte Bianca", the "White Night", which kicks off the summer. There's a wide choice of exhibitions and guided tours, ranging from city collections to the work of promising artists. Music resounds throughout the entire 'Notte Bianca' with concerts held in many of the town's squares. As participants or spectators, this is an event with real appeal for kids, with an entertainment trail, shows and games.
For the first time Switzerland celebrates "Code 3800". This great Firefighters Festival will make Interlaken an annual center for Firefighters from near and far and guests from at home and abroad. The “flame of passion” will be lit in Interlaken on 18 May and will light the way for three days of fun, technology & action, during which adventure, friendship and entertainment for Firefighters, their friends and fans will be the order of the day.