St. Peter Church (Kirche St. Peter)
St. Peterhofstatt 1, Zurich, DEU
St. Peter’s Church (St. Peterskirche) is one of Zurich’s most distinctive landmarks. The building is a combination of the original 9th-century edifice, 13th-century additions, and 18th-century reconstructions. Its clock face is the largest in Europe, and its spire rises high above the surrounding buildings.
St. Peter’s Church is the oldest church in Zurich, dating from before 900 CE, and it has been altered and added to many times over the centuries. Although the building predates the Reformation (in the 16th and 17th centuries), it was the first church in Zurich to be used as a Protestant place of worship. The spire was also used as a fire lookout for centuries as it was so much taller than everything surrounding it.
Visit St. Peter’s Church to see the baroque baptismal font, the large organ, crystal chandeliers, and a number of faded frescoes. You can also visit the tomb of the first mayor of Zurich, Rudolf Brun.
There is no entry fee to visit the church.
If you can understand German, you can attend a Sunday morning service.
The clock face measures 28 feet (8.64 meters) in diameter, making it the largest in Europe.
To reach St. Peter’s Church, take tram lines 4 or 11 to Paradeplatz, or take lines 4, 8, 11, or 15 to Rathaus and walk across the Rathausbrücke bridge.
The church is open every day, with shortened hours on Saturdays and Sundays. Services are held on Sunday mornings. Music recitals and choir performances are held throughout the year; check the church’s schedule for details.
St. Peter’s Church is one of four main churches in Zurich’s old town area, all of which are distinctive landmarks. The others are Grossmünster, Fraumünster, and Predigerkirche. Travelers interested in history and architecture should make it their mission to visit all four. Grossmünster is especially noteworthy as it contains stained-glass windows by Swiss artist Augusto Giacometti and offers great city views from its tower.
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