Peterskirche - Peterskirche information and pictures



Found opposite the Neues Rathaus in Munich, Peterskirche or St. Peter’s Church is a Severely Gothic edifice with a baroque interior, superb high altar, and statues of the four church fathers, created by Egid Asam. The oldest church in Munich was built in 1180 and its white-and-grey interior has been adorned with baroque accents and medallions. The church is decorated with murals by Johann Baptist Zimmerman and its second chapel to the left keeps the gem-studded and gilt-covered skeleton of St. Mundita.

Peterskirche was built on the site of an 8th century monastery in an area that was known by the monks as Peterbergl or Peter’s Hill. Constructed mostly of wood, the church building stood for only a century and a half before a fire destroyed it. Peterskirche was reconstructed between 1328 and 1368, with Gothic elements added to its design. Over the next three centuries, the church preserved its Gothic/Romanesque splendor, and only a Renaissance steeple was added to its exterior in the 17th century. The building was renovated in a Rococo style in the next century. Near the end of the Second World War, Peterskirche was almost fully destroyed and reconstruction works were not completed until 2000.

With time, the church has accumulated a number of works of art and many of them have been preserved. The interior contains sculptures by the 15th century sculptor Erasmus Grasser, Gothic masterpieces by Jan Polack, and altars by Ignaz Günther. Notable features of the church’s interior are sculptures of the Last Judgment and the Crucifixion, font by Hans Krumper, a magnificent pulpit by J. Prötzner, and the Schrenk Altar. The high alter was created by N. Stuber in 1730 and is 65 feet in height. The Mariahilf Altar (or Altar of the Virgin of Mercy) stands at the south aisle’s end, decorated with figures by Ignaz Günther. The tower of the church reaches a height of 289 feet and music is played from its gallery. The tower has eight clock faces, with the first created in 1381. Clocks were added to the unusual lantern in 1621.

The top of the tower offers a splendid view of the city of Munich but there is no elevator so a good exercise will be to climb up the 300 stairs.

Where is Peterskirche: Rindermarkt 1

How to get to Peterskirche: By subway U-bahn 3, 6 and S-bahn 1, 8 to Marienplatz station

Opening Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.,
Sun. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m





Peterskirche Munich
Peterskirche, view at the back from Viktualienmarkt, Munich
Peterskirche Munich




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