St. Peter's Church, Munich, Germany

St. Peter's Church is the oldest church in the Munich district. Before the foundation of Munich as a city in 1158, there had been a pre-Merovingian church on this site. 8th century monks lived around this church on a hill called Petersbergl. At the end of the 12th century a new church in the Bavarian Romanesque style was consecrated, and expanded in Gothic style shortly before the great fire in 1327, which destroyed the building. After its reconstruction the church was dedicated anew in 1368. In the early 17th century the 91 meter spire received its Renaissance steeple top and a new Baroque choir was added.

The interior is dominated by the high altar to which Erasmus Grasser contributed the figure of Saint Peter. Among other masterpieces of all periods are five Gothic paintings by Jan Polack and several altars by Ignaz Günther. The ceiling fresco by Johann Baptist Zimmermann (1753–1756) was re-created in 1999-2000.

The parish church of Saint Peter, whose 91 meters high tower is commonly known as Alter Peter - Old Peter - and which is emblematic of Munich, is the oldest recorded parish church in Munich and presumably the originating point for the whole city.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Vinh Gấu (A Wanderlust!) (3 months ago)
Nice church. Among buildings that you can pay to climb up to top for look out, i do prefer to pay 5euro for this church rather than other ones. You can see New Hall Tower, Mary’s Square,… much better view. Do recommend!

Aggie Wang (5 months ago)
It’s the oldest church in Munich. The alter and the ceiling are beautifully decorated and painted. The 93 meter tower can be reached via climbing the 306 stairs. The entrance is at the side door of the church. Not inside. The entrance fee is €5, can be paid with credit card or cash. The climb is not bad, the staircase is much wider than some of other bell towers I have been. The view from the top is stunning. From here you have clear sight of the most iconic two landmarks: Neues Rathaus (New Town Hall) and two towered Frauenkirche (Cathedral Of Our Dear Lady), and the charming city. Both new town hall and old town hall provide the birds eye view platforms. But no doubt the view from the St Peter’s Church is the best although it requires some physical climbing, not like the other two where there is an elevator to bring people up.

Katie Shum (8 months ago)
Lovely church in the centre of Munich. The views of the city from the top of the tower were amazing, definitely worth €5 and the 300+ step climb up! I heard that it gets quite busy, so I went first thing in the morning and it was quiet. Don't forget to see the inside of the church itself, it's beautiful and free.

david antoun (8 months ago)
The oldest church in Munich, old bells the sound of that era, the old wooden stairs that take you through the tower to a magnificent top view also the relics of Saint and other superb antic sculptures and paintings are among also other things that specialize this church. You can witness the view from the top with just 5 euros with 300 steps. also you see the external architecture if you climb that rathaus tour.

Robert Bartz (11 months ago)
The tower (EUR 5 per adult) offers great views of the city if you manage to climb up stairs for about 14 stories. The way down ends in a nice church which would be worth a visit even if not going up to the tower first.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright caminanteK

Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix

The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.

In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians. The county became a privileged refuge for persecuted Cathars.

The castle, often besieged (notably by Simon de Montfort in 1211 and 1212), resisted assault and was only taken once, in 1486, thanks to treachery during the war between two branches of the Foix family.

From the 14th century, the Counts of Foix spent less and less time in the uncomfortable castle, preferring the Governors' Palace. From 1479, the Counts of Foix became Kings of Navarre and the last of them, made Henri IV of France, annexed his Pyrrenean lands to France.

As seat of the Governor of the Foix region from the 15th century, the castle continued to ensure the defence of the area, notably during the Wars of Religion. Alone of all the castles in the region, it was exempted from the destruction orders of Richelieu (1632-1638).

Until the Revolution, the fortress remained a garrison. Its life was brightened with grand receptions for its governors, including the Count of Tréville, captain of musketeers under Louis XIII and Marshal Philippe Henri de Ségur, one of Louis XVI's ministers. The Round Tower, built in the 15th century, is the most recent, the two square towers having been built before the 11th century. They served as a political and civil prison for four centuries until 1862.

Since 1930, the castle has housed the collections of the Ariège départemental museum. Sections on prehistory, Gallo-Roman and mediaeval archaeology tell the history of Ariège from ancient times. Currently, the museum is rearranging exhibits to concentrate on the history of the castle site so as to recreate the life of Foix at the time of the Counts.

Do you know an ancient castle or magnificent church near you?

Why not share it with other people interested in history? You can add your own historic sites and attractions to SpottingHistory.com.

It's absolutely free, easy, and doesn't even need registration!

Upload data

St. Peter's Church

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Gothic Cathedrals of Belgium

Migthy Cathar Castles

Hidden Gems of Finnish Archipelago

Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix

Looks like you are a history fan!