Wil is part of the German-speaking canton of St. Gallen. The city was founded in the 12th century by the Counts of Toggenburg, and today it is the economic center of the Toggenburg / Fürstenland region. Wil has grown steadily over the past few years to become the economic center of a region of over 110,000 people. It is an attractive, dynamic and vibrant city with around 15,000 jobs for a total population of 24,000 people. It is connected by train, regional buses and the motorway to the surrounding municipalities and is therefore the ideal starting point for visiting the region: the Alpstein mountains for winter sports, Lake Constance (Bodensee) for water sports. St. Gallen or Zurich for shopping are only a 30 minute drive away. What to see: the particularly well-preserved old town with its buildings that bear witness to a lively past, including the castle which was the residence of the abbots of St. Gallen; half-timbered houses, small streets and squares.
Wil is the commercial, cultural and economic hub of the region. The city is growing steadily and the many real estate projects welcome new residents. The Stadtsaal at Bahnhofplatz is a state-of-the-art cultural and congress center. Near the old town, the pedestrian zone is a place to stroll with its beautiful shops. The city is served by a network of urban buses but for everyday travel, Wil favors cycling and there are many cycle paths. The cultural offer is plentiful, in particular thanks to the classical concerts in the Baronenhaus hall in the old town. Sports enthusiasts appreciate modern and varied infrastructures such as the IGP Sportpark Bergholz, a state-of-the-art sports center with indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a wellness center. Those who want to breathe clean mountain air can go hiking or cycling in the nearby Alpstein massif. Once a week, on Saturday mornings in the old town, locals meet in the colorful market, looking for fresh produce and specialties from the region or elsewhere. A pretty tradition, the Laternenvisitation (inspection of lanterns), dating from the 19th century has been preserved. There are no more lanterns today and it's more of a parade with lanterns. Accommodation in Wil is relatively easy and real estate prices are around the Swiss average.