Schlössli (Little Castle)
The Schlössli («Little Castle»), built between 1586 and 1590 by Laurenz Zollikofer, a grandson of Vadians, is the most stately private residence within St.Gallen’s historic centre.
History:
The Zollikofer family already owned several castles outside the city and now wanted an impressive residence within the city walls, too. The Schlössli had a representative function within high society, making banquet halls in which guests could be entertained crucial. It was however also a trading point: the ground floor contained a warehouse. After the death of Laurenz Zollikofer, the Schlössli remained in the family for one more generation, later it passed over to other wealthy St.Gallen families, including Hochreutener, Kunkler and Schlumpf. In the 19th Century, the City of St.Gallen was given the opportunity to buy the Schlössli. Johannes Kaspar Straub offered it to the educational council for 17’000 guilders. The deal however never happened, because the necessary means were not – as the City had hoped – raised through voluntary contributions from wealthy and philanthropic citizens. Thus the Schlössli remained private property.
Architecture:
The master builder of the Zollikofer castle Schloss Altenklingen, Matthias Höbel from Kempten, was contracted to build the Schlössli – hence the great similarities between these two buildings. The nod to medieval castles is unmistakeable. There were objections to the hiring of an external master builder, but these were dismissed.
Present-day use:
Today, the Schlössli contains a restaurant with several representative rooms.
The Zollikofer family already owned several castles outside the city and now wanted an impressive residence within the city walls, too. The Schlössli had a representative function within high society, making banquet halls in which guests could be entertained crucial. It was however also a trading point: the ground floor contained a warehouse. After the death of Laurenz Zollikofer, the Schlössli remained in the family for one more generation, later it passed over to other wealthy St.Gallen families, including Hochreutener, Kunkler and Schlumpf. In the 19th Century, the City of St.Gallen was given the opportunity to buy the Schlössli. Johannes Kaspar Straub offered it to the educational council for 17’000 guilders. The deal however never happened, because the necessary means were not – as the City had hoped – raised through voluntary contributions from wealthy and philanthropic citizens. Thus the Schlössli remained private property.
Architecture:
The master builder of the Zollikofer castle Schloss Altenklingen, Matthias Höbel from Kempten, was contracted to build the Schlössli – hence the great similarities between these two buildings. The nod to medieval castles is unmistakeable. There were objections to the hiring of an external master builder, but these were dismissed.
Present-day use:
Today, the Schlössli contains a restaurant with several representative rooms.