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

Saint Peter's Church (Peterskirche) in Vienna is a Baroque Roman Catholic parish church, nestled among surrounding buildings which make it visible primarily from the front. The site has hosted several iterations of a church, with the earliest possibly being Vienna's oldest, tracing back to the early 4th century AD. Originally a Roman encampment, the location saw a Romanesque church established here by none other than King Charlemagne himself in 792. There's a plaque on the building's facade that tells the tale of Charlemagne's involvement, adding a touch of historical significance. Historical documents, however, first reference a church here in 1137.

By the late 12th century, this church became associated with a Catholic monastery (Schottenstift) founded in Vienna in 1155. After a fire in 1661, the building saw only minimal repairs until the devastation of the 1679-1680 plague. Emperor Leopold I, a member of the Fraternity of the Holy Trinity, then vowed to reconstruct it.

Construction of the new Baroque church began around 1701, drawing inspiration from Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. Consecrated in 1733, this church was the first domed structure in Baroque Vienna, featuring a compact, oval interior that maximizes its limited space.

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

The interior is rich with gold stucco and frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr, depicting scenes such as the Coronation of Our Lady. The high altar showcases the Healing of the Lame by Saint Peter and Saint John. The church also houses several relics in its side chapels, including martyrs from Roman catacombs presented in glass coffins.

From 1998 to 2004, Saint Peter's Church underwent significant renovations and today remains a cherished monument of Vienna's religious and architectural heritage.

Tip:
Each day, from 3 to 3:30 pm, you can listen to live organ music here for free (donations are welcome). Choir performances are also frequent, with for-fee events in the underground vaults.