St. Peter’s Church

St Peter's Church

The Vienna audio-guided tour offers you a perfect view of St Peter's Church, the Peterskirche, beautifully framed by the facades of the neighbouring buildings. A place of worship in the heart of the centre, it is discovered with respect, in the calm proper to this kind of building.

A domed church

Inspired by St Peter's Basilica in Rome, the church was built in the 18th century on the site of an earlier Carolingian church, founded according to tradition around the year 800. It was the first in the city to feature a dome, which still marks the skyline of the district. This Roman lineage can be read in its compact plan and its Baroque elevation.

What there is to see

The Baroque interior, richly decorated under the dome, is worth crossing the threshold for. The church, tucked a stone's throw from the Graben, contrasts through its intimacy with the bustling shopping street nearby. One enters discreetly, to appreciate its light and gilding in respect of the place.

Practical information

St Peter's Church is near the Graben, in Vienna's historic centre. Entry is generally free; hours may vary with services and the season. An active place of worship, also hosting organ concerts, it requires proper dress and silence.

When does St Peter's Church date from ?

The present building dates from the 18th century; it stands on the site of an earlier Carolingian church.

What is special about it ?

Inspired by St Peter's Basilica in Rome, it was the first church in Vienna to be crowned with a dome.