St. Peter's Church in Vienna | A Hidden Church in the Old Town

The ancient Catholic Church of St. Peter (Katholische Kirche St. Peter) is hidden among buildings right in the heart of the old city, a 5-minute walk from the impressive St. Stephen's Cathedral. It is a stunning structure that leads many visitors to think it is the main church of Vienna (St. Stephen's Cathedral is the main church).

On the site where St. Peter’s Church stands today, there was an older church from the early Middle Ages, around the year 800 AD. Some claim that the first church on this site was the oldest in Vienna, but unfortunately, no remains of it have survived.

The ancient church was completely renovated in the 17th and early 18th centuries, after Emperor Leopold I vowed to do so if the terrible plague passed.

The new building was designed in the Baroque style by one of Vienna’s famous architects, Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt. Large parts of the structure were inspired by the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. It was the first church in the city to be built with such a large Baroque dome.

The church can be a bit deceiving as it seems so compressed between the buildings, but a very impressive surprise awaits you inside. The main prayer hall is very large and beautifully designed with many gold decorations. No fewer than 10 well-known artists from the region participated in the interior design of the church, so it’s no wonder it is so beautifully adorned with huge frescoes, a variety of wall decorations, sculptures, and more.

In addition, organ concerts are held inside the church, and its crypt hosts a variety of other impressive musical performances. The concerts held in the church hall are free, while the concerts in the crypt are usually for a fee.

The concerts are usually held on Saturdays and Sundays, but there are also evening performances throughout the week. In the link below you can see the full list of concerts.

Additional Essential Information for Visiting St. Peter’s Church

Opening Hours:

Monday to Friday: from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Saturday, Sunday, and holidays: from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Entrance Fee:

Free.

Official Website

Address: Petersplatz 1, 1010 Wien

How to get there?

The church is located in the heart of the first district in Vienna’s old town. The nearest underground station is Stephansplatz. You can reach this station using the U1 underground line (the red line) and the U3 underground line (the orange line). From the station, it is about a 3-minute walk.