Peterskirche, Vienna

Peterskirche, Vienna tickets: which one to buy

Saint Peter's Church, the Peterskirche, stands in a small square just off the Graben, the elegant shopping street in the centre of Vienna, a few minutes' walk from Saint Stephen's Cathedral, and entry is free. It is one of the finest baroque churches in the city and much quieter than the cathedral. Free organ recitals are held most afternoons and some evenings, usually lasting half an hour, and they are a wonderful way to see and hear the church;

classical concerts with tickets are also held in the evening. Walking tours of the inner city pass by, often pointing out the green dome squeezed among the buildings of the Graben. The church is run by the Opus Dei prelature, and it holds regular services, during which visiting is limited. Nothing needs booking for the free recitals; arrive a little early for a seat. Concert tickets are sold at a desk in the church porch and by staff in period costume on the Graben.

Visiting Peterskirche, Vienna: what to see

A church has stood here since early medieval times, and tradition claims a foundation by Charlemagne. The present church was built between 1701 and 1733 to designs attributed to Gabriele Montani and Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt, inspired by Saint Peter's in Rome, with an oval plan under a large dome. The facade, with two angled towers, fits into a narrow space, which gives it a dramatic presence. Inside, the church is a jewel box of gold, marble and stucco. The dome is painted with a fresco of the Assumption of the Virgin by Johann Michael Rottmayr.

A spectacular gilded sculpture near the chancel shows Saint John of Nepomuk being thrown from the Charles Bridge in Prague into the river. The high altar painting by Martino Altomonte shows the healing of the lame man by Saint Peter and Saint John. The side altars hold paintings and relics, including those of a Roman martyr in a glass case. The pulpit, carved by Matthias Steinl, is a gilded composition of figures and curtains, and the organ above the entrance has a richly decorated case. The crypt below the church holds an exhibition on its history and is opened on certain days.

Peterskirche, Vienna opening hours and the best time to go

The church is open daily, with free organ recitals usually at three in the afternoon on weekdays and at other times at weekends; schedules are posted at the door. Vienna is busy throughout the year, especially in summer and during the Christmas market season, when the Graben and the surrounding streets are full of lights. The church is a calm place to escape the crowds. The Advent season brings concerts of sacred music. Allow about twenty minutes to look at the church, or half an hour or more if you attend a recital, and walk on to Saint Stephen's Cathedral or to the Hofburg. The Graben's plague column, a baroque monument of clouds and angels, stands a few steps away.