Peterskirche

Peterskirche in Vienna can only be described as an apotheosis of Baroque architecture. Starting from Stephansdom & following one of the streets that intersect with Stephansplatz towards Petersplatz, you will soon come across with Peterskirche which together with Kirche am Hof form a parallel imaginary line to the Danube.

The most sumptuously decorated Baroque church in the city with the pale yellow & white facade & the characteristic copper-clad dome is thought to occupy the oldest Christian sacred site in Vienna, since archaeological evidence show that a church had stood here since the 2nd half of the 4th century. According to the legend Charlemagne founded a larger church here in 792.

The construction of the new Baroque church began in 1701 & was inspired by St.Peter’s Basilica in Vatican city, something that is evident in its overall shape.The structure was built after the designs of Gabriele Montani mainly by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, the architect who also designed Belvedere Palace.

Its astonishing interior contains many notable artworks from the early 18th century such as numerous gilded sculptures, gilded carved wood, a breathtaking fresco on its massive dome depicting “the Coronation of Our Lady”, glass-crowned galleries on the walls of both side of the high Baroque altar that all together form a masterpiece of religious art & architecture definitely worth seeing.