St. Peter’s Evangelical Church

The Church of St Peter, in Hamburg

The Evangelical Church of St Peter is the oldest church of Hamburg, a fine red brick building in the heart of the town. The Hamburg audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this historic sanctuary, whose origins date back to the first times of the town.

The oldest church of the town

This fine red brick church is the Evangelical Church of St Peter, the Petrikirche, one of the five great principal churches of Hamburg and the oldest of the town, at least at the level of its foundations. To understand its history, you must go back to the Middle Ages: a small wooden chapel stood then on the highest point of the first colony of Hamburg, near the original site of the town. Over the centuries, the building was enlarged, rebuilt and embellished to become the great church that we know. Like a large part of the town, it suffered from the great fire of 1842, which destroyed it in part, then was rebuilt in the brick neo-Gothic style characteristic of the north of Germany. Its high tower, which you can climb, offers a fine view over the centre of Hamburg. Inside, the church keeps works of art and testifies to the long religious history of the town. A major sanctuary and the spiritual cradle of Hamburg, the Church of St Peter is discovered with respect.

What to see

You admire, with respect, the oldest church of Hamburg, one of the five great principal churches, with a fine red brick architecture, whose origins date back to a medieval wooden chapel on the original site of the town, damaged by the fire of 1842 then rebuilt in neo-Gothic, with a high tower that you can climb for a fine view. The Church of St Peter is the spiritual cradle of Hamburg. It is a stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

The Church of St Peter lies in the heart of the old town of Hamburg, reachable on foot. A place of worship, it can be visited with respect for services; access and the climb of the tower follow their own hours and conditions, which vary. It is best to check them before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

Why is the Church of St Peter of Hamburg remarkable?

Because it is the oldest church of Hamburg, at least at the level of its foundations: its origins date back to a medieval wooden chapel standing on the original site of the town; damaged by the fire of 1842, it was rebuilt in neo-Gothic brick, and its high tower offers a fine view.

Where is the Church of St Peter of Hamburg?

In the heart of the old town of Hamburg, in Germany.