A journey through history and culture

How much do you know about the history and culture of Sarganserland-Werdenberg? Our proud forts and castles, fascinating museums and a wide range of events are ready to help you connect with local history and traditions.

The municipalities within our region are proud of their culture. They demonstrate this pride through an impressive and varied range of cultural programmes, from contemporary art exhibitions to traditional events. Here are a few to get you started.

Musical castle

Werdenberg Castle is the venue for the annual Schlossmediale, an international festival for old and new music and audio-visual arts. The castle is an active cultural and artistic venue, and it’s also home to several museums. The Castle Festival, which takes place on and by the Werdenbergersee, is also worthy of special mention. The town of Werdenberg lies at the foot of the mountain underneath the castle. It’s recognised as probably the smallest town in the world, and it’s certainly the oldest remaining town built in wood, making it a must-see for any visitor.

Musicals, cabaret and theatre

The stage at the Walensee provides a breathtaking backdrop for musicals. Have you seen “Heidi”, for instance? It’s an incredible experience! Sargans Castle is also famous for its musical events throughout the year. The intimate “fabriggli” theatre in Buchs, the Mels Old Cinema (Altes Kino Mels) and the Old Mill (Alte Mühle) in Gams captivate audiences too, with their mix of plays, cabaret, dance performances, readings and concerts. And if that’s not enough, nearby Liechtenstein, Feldkirch and Bregenz aren’t exactly short on culture either, to say nothing of St. Gallen, Chur or Zurich.

Living tradition

Our traditions and customs are a big part of local life. Sarganserland’s annual carnival celebrations are a particular highlight of the cultural calendar. Cattle drives from the Alpine pastures and the accompanying village festivals are very important to the locals, and they make sure to celebrate them in suitable style, with local customs, traditions and dialects. After all, these traditions make our communities unique.

Cultural and artistic works rooted in our local communities are particularly popular. The Southern Culture Association, which is supported by the municipal authorities and the Office for Cultural Affairs works to reinforce the region’s cultural policies by promoting sustainable cultural activity for the long term.