Peterskirche (St. Peter's Church), Vienna

Peterskirche (St. Peter's Church), Vienna (must see)

Saint Peter's Church stands on one of Vienna's oldest known religious sites, with a history dating back to the early 4th century AD. It's a spot that has hosted a church for centuries. The church we see today is a smaller version of a grander one built in 792, and the interesting tidbit is that it was founded by none other than Charlemagne himself. There's a plaque on the facade of the building that tells the tale of Charlemagne's involvement, adding a touch of historical significance.

In its current form, Saint Peter's Church occupies a relatively modest space, nestled in Saint Peter's Square. Its architectural style is predominantly Baroque, and it's worth noting that it ranks among the most intricately adorned churches designed in this fashion.

The exterior boasts a predominantly white and very light yellow color scheme. Two towers grace the building, defining its classic exterior appearance. These towers exhibit a slight inward curve, a design said to be inspired by the tent poles used by the Turks who once inhabited this region in the late 1600s.

Venturing inside is a must, as the church houses a splendid collection of paintings dating back to the 1700s. Many of the wooden carvings and altar pieces also hail from this period. Presently, Saint Peter's Church is under the ownership and management of Opus Dei, a branch of the Catholic Church known as the "Work of God."

Why You Should Visit:
Definitely a good place to marvel at sumptuous Baroque architecture. Full of gold, marble, and finery!

Tip:
Each day from 3 till 3:30pm you can listen to live organ music here for free (donation only). An impressive way to admire this church!
Choir performances are also frequent, with for-fee events in the underground vaults.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vienna. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Peterskirche (St. Peter's Church) on Map

Sight Name: Peterskirche (St. Peter's Church)
Sight Location: Vienna, Austria (See walking tours in Vienna)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

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