Peterskirche: Quiet Beauty in the Heart of Vienna
The story of Peterskirche spans over a millennium, though its current incarnation is relatively young by Viennese standards. A church is believed to have existed on this site since the Early Middle Ages, with the earliest written mention appearing in a document from 1137.. That early structure was modest and eventually gave way to a Romanesque church in the 12th century, part of a growing city finding its religious and architectural footing.
By the late 17th century, Vienna was changing. The city was flush with post-Ottoman War wealth, and the Baroque aesthetic was the dominant expression of power and faith. It was during this time that the older structure was demolished, and the current version of Peterskirche was commissioned. Construction began in 1701 and continued through the 1730s, led initially by architect Gabriele Montani and later perfected by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, one of Austria’s most prominent Baroque masters.
Inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the church was meant to echo its namesake’s grandeur on a more intimate Viennese scale. The dome is particularly notable, painted by Johann Michael Rottmayr, whose work defines much of the Austrian Baroque ceiling tradition. Its elliptical plan and lavish interior helped Peterskirche stand out among Vienna’s religious buildings, even as Stephansdom loomed nearby in Gothic contrast.
Over the centuries, Peterskirche has remained active as both a religious space and a cultural one. Today, it balances its role as a functioning church with being a magnet for lovers of Baroque architecture and sacred music. Its organ concerts, performed daily, have become an unexpected highlight for many travelers – a serene counterpoint to the surrounding city’s energy.
Despite its central location, Peterskirche still feels like a secret.
