St. Peter Church and Alter Peter- München, Germany
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denben
N 48° 08.191 E 011° 34.533
32U E 691610 N 5334682
St. Peter's Church is a Roman Catholic church in the inner city of Munich, southern Germany. The Renaissance Tower, known as Alter Peter, is a monument that offers the visitor a splendid view of the city and the nearby Alps.
Waymark Code: WMX9ZK
Location: Bayern, Germany
Date Posted: 12/14/2017
Views: 9
Before the foundation of Munich as a city in 1158, there had been a pre-Merovingian church on this site. 8th century monks lived around this church on a hill called Petersbergl. At the end of the 12th century a new church in the Bavarian Romanesque style was consecrated, and expanded in Gothic style shortly before the great fire in 1327, which destroyed the building.
After its reconstruction the church was dedicated anew in 1368. In the early 17th century the 91 meter spire received its Renaissance steeple top and a new Baroque choir was added.
The interior is dominated by the high altar to which Erasmus Grasser contributed the figure of Saint Peter. Among other masterpieces of all periods are five Gothic paintings by Jan Polack and several altars by Ignaz Günther. The ceiling fresco by Johann Baptist Zimmermann (1753–1756) was restored in 1999-2000.
Eight bells hang in the church tower know as Alter Peter. Four of them are historical bells cast between the years 1327 and 1720. Only seven bells can be rung today. The smallest and oldest bell of the Old Peter, the poor-sinner-bell, hangs behind a barred window in the basement of the tower; in ancient times she was heard at executions on the Marienplatz.
If you want to enjoy a view of the entire city center from the Alter Peter, you must first climb no less than 299 steps. Once you reach the top, the panoramic view of Munich’s center makes up for the effort. When the weather is very good, the view even reaches to the Alps.
There is an entrance fee of 3 euros for the observation deck. In addition, it is worth it to spend a little loose change for the telescopes that allow many an interesting detailed look at the Old Town.
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