Peterskirche (St. Peter's Church), Munich (must see)
The church known as Peterskirche, affectionately referred to as "Old Pete" by Munich residents, is a historic site believed to be central to the city's development. It traces back to the 12th century and stands on the grounds of a former 8th-century monastery and an even older church from before the Merovingian era.
The name "Munich" is derived from the monks who inhabited the original monastery, with "Munchen" echoing the German term for monk, "Monch." The location, once named "Petersberg" or Peter's Hill, saw its first Bavarian Romanesque church in 1180, which was destroyed by fire in 1327. The current structure of the church dates to 1368, with a steeple and Baroque choir installed in the 1600s. It underwent significant repairs after WWII to revive its pre-damage state.
Inside, Peterskirche houses a 15th-century sculpture by Erasmus Grasser and artwork by Johann Baptist Zimmerman. It's also home to the ornate remains of Saint Mundita, embellished with jewels. The church's steeple offers an observation deck, accessible by climbing 306 steps, which provides expansive views of Munich and the distant Alps on clear days. The visibility from the steeple is indicated by color-coded circles on the lower platform, with a white circle suggesting good conditions for viewing the Alps.
Tip:
It's worth to pay a few euros to climb to the tower's top for a 360° view of Munich. The climb is not easy and definitely not for those with fear of heights – only for the adventurous lot!
If you come before noon, you can get a brilliant view of the Glockenspiel clock in action at Marienplatz without having to jostle with tourists down there.
The are two viewing binoculars allowing to soak up the atmosphere (colored rooftops, etc.).
Note: it might get windy and cold up there.
The name "Munich" is derived from the monks who inhabited the original monastery, with "Munchen" echoing the German term for monk, "Monch." The location, once named "Petersberg" or Peter's Hill, saw its first Bavarian Romanesque church in 1180, which was destroyed by fire in 1327. The current structure of the church dates to 1368, with a steeple and Baroque choir installed in the 1600s. It underwent significant repairs after WWII to revive its pre-damage state.
Inside, Peterskirche houses a 15th-century sculpture by Erasmus Grasser and artwork by Johann Baptist Zimmerman. It's also home to the ornate remains of Saint Mundita, embellished with jewels. The church's steeple offers an observation deck, accessible by climbing 306 steps, which provides expansive views of Munich and the distant Alps on clear days. The visibility from the steeple is indicated by color-coded circles on the lower platform, with a white circle suggesting good conditions for viewing the Alps.
Tip:
It's worth to pay a few euros to climb to the tower's top for a 360° view of Munich. The climb is not easy and definitely not for those with fear of heights – only for the adventurous lot!
If you come before noon, you can get a brilliant view of the Glockenspiel clock in action at Marienplatz without having to jostle with tourists down there.
The are two viewing binoculars allowing to soak up the atmosphere (colored rooftops, etc.).
Note: it might get windy and cold up there.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Munich. 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.
Peterskirche (St. Peter's Church) on Map
Sight Name: Peterskirche (St. Peter's Church)
Sight Location: Munich, Germany (See walking tours in Munich)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Munich, Germany (See walking tours in Munich)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Munich, Germany
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Creating your own self-guided walk in Munich is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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The Old Town of Munich, sprawling on the west bank of the River Isar, is a treasure trove of architectural splendor and cultural heritage. Also known in German as Altstadt, this medieval area forms the historic core and cultural heart of the Bavarian capital. The entire Old Town is listed as a historical monument and is a living museum – “where the past harmonizes with the present in a grand... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Old Town Souvenir Shops
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
And it would be a pity to leave Munich without bringing home... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Munich Introduction Walking Tour
Straddling the banks of the River Isar north of the Bavarian Alps, Bavaria’s capital Munich is home to centuries-old buildings and numerous attractions.
The city was first mentioned in 1158. Its name is usually interpreted as the Old/Middle High German term Munichen, which means "by the monks", deriving from the monks of the Benedictine order, who ran a monastery at the place that... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
The city was first mentioned in 1158. Its name is usually interpreted as the Old/Middle High German term Munichen, which means "by the monks", deriving from the monks of the Benedictine order, who ran a monastery at the place that... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Third Reich Munich Walking Tour
In the first quarter of the 20th century, the capital of Bavaria, Munich, was ill-fated to become the birthplace of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (aka NSDAP or Nazi Party) and the site of its early activities. The city played a significant role in the rise and consolidation of power of the Nazi Party and, ultimately, the establishment of the Third Reich.
The Third Reich went... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
The Third Reich went... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
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