St. Peter's Church

Zürich, Switzerland

Located next to the Lindenhof hill, site of the former Roman castle, St. Peter's church was built on the site of a temple to Jupiter. An early church is archaeologically attested for the 8th or 9th century. This building was replaced by an early Romanesque church around AD 1000, in turn replaced in 1230 by a late romanesque structure, parts of which survive. Rudolf Brun, first independent mayor of the town, was buried here in 1360. The nave was rebuilt in 1460 in Gothic style. Prior to the Reformation, St. Peter was the only parish church of the town, the rest being part of monasteries. The first reformed pastor, Leo Jud (1523-1542), was a friend of Zwingli and contributed to the first translation of the Bible in Zurich. Johann Kaspar Lavater was pastor from 1778-1801. His gravestone can be seen in the church wall. Theologian Adolf Keller served as pastor 1909 -1924.

The current building was consecrated in 1706 as the first church built under Protestant rule. Its congregation forms part of the Evangelical Reformed Church of the Canton of Zürich. Until 1911, the steeple was manned by a fire watch. Restoration work was carried out in 1970 to 1975. The steeple's clock face has a diameter of 8.7 m, the largest church clock face in Europe. The bells date to 1880.

Church tower and largest church clock of Europe

The church tower was primarily used for fire police duties, and 1340 AD the first fire guard was set in duty. In the pre- and early Romanesque area, St. Peter had no church tower, i.e. the first massive three-storey tower was built in early 13th century AD. The first floor with Romanesque ribbed vault dates back to that period. In 1450 the tower was increased to 64 metres (as of today) and a pitched (helmet) roof was attached. That 24 metres high part of the tower was in 1996 re-covered with 42,000 larch shingles from the Engadine valley, since then being the only wooden roof in Zürich.

Towards the end of the 13th century a mechanical church clock was installed. In 1366 it was renewed and got one only dial that was directed towards the Limmat and only displayed the hours. Around 1460, the sense of time has been refined by half on the quarter-hour strike, and in 1538 the striking clock was replaced, and all four facades got dials. Replacements of the clock mechanism followed in 1593/94 and 1675 and 1826. In 1844 a new movement with quarter-hour strike was installed; the electrification of the work was carried out in 1873. In 1972 the balance was replaced by a fully automatic master clock in the clock room of the St. Peter's tower, and in 1996 the electrified mechanical movement of 1844 was shut down and replaced by a central computer system. The clock tower of St. Peter was for centuries Zürich's 'official local time', and all public city clocks had to conform to it. The church clock of St. Peter has the largest tower clock face in Europe, the outer diameter of each of the four church clocks measures 8.64 metres.

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Details

Founded: c. 1230
Category: Religious sites in Switzerland

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Richárd Vámossy (4 months ago)
It's a beautiful protestant church in the heart of the city. It can be approached through a mild climb which gives it an extra hint of charm. The bell tower clock is very unique and prominent . It is characteristic for this area so cannot be commonly found anywhere else. Unfortunately, I couldn't get inside as it was closed and partially under refurbishment but it was still well-worth the visit.
Ziv Ginsberg (6 months ago)
From a distance, St. Peter’s Church in Zurich makes a striking impression, primarily due to its massive clock tower, which is notable for having the largest church clock face in Europe. The clock is certainly an eye-catcher and adds to the city’s skyline, which features several other interesting towers. While we didn’t go inside, the exterior of the church looked quite interesting and seemed to promise more intriguing architectural features and historical elements. Zurich is full of such historical sites, and St. Peter’s fits well within this ensemble, even if it didn't quite lure us in for a closer look this time. The abundance of compelling clock towers and other attractions around Zurich might make it easy to overlook St. Peter’s unless you have a particular interest in church architecture or historical clocks. It might be worth a quick stop if you're nearby and interested in its external facade and the clock, but we felt our time could be better spent exploring other unique spots in the city. Overall, for those with a deep interest in Zurich's historical sites, a closer inspection might reveal more charms that we missed from afar. However, for casual tourists, it’s a pleasant enough view from the outside but not a must-see unless you're passing right by.
Mat Bienczyk (6 months ago)
One of the four main churches of old town Zurich, the tower stands with an amazing huge clock. The inside rather on the small side, but still brilliant to see.
sushanth subramanian (7 months ago)
Classic attraction. Old church in old town Zurich. Walkable distance from the train station. Climate is so good and Worth visiting during cool breeze.
Carlos Jozala (8 months ago)
The Church of St. Peter in Zurich is a captivating blend of history, architecture, and spirituality. Dating back to the 9th century, this iconic landmark stands tall with its striking clock tower, which boasts the largest clock face in Europe. Inside, visitors are greeted with awe-inspiring frescoes, intricate wood carvings, and a serene atmosphere conducive to reflection and contemplation. The church's rich history and architectural beauty make it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike. Whether you're exploring the charming old town of Zurich or seeking a moment of tranquility amidst the bustling city, the Church of St. Peter offers a timeless sanctuary where the past seamlessly intertwines with the present.
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