A blast from the past echoes within these aged walls. Welcome to St.-Petri Kultur- und Universitätskirche in Lübeck. This is more than just a church. It is a testament to resilience. Its story is woven with threads of faith, destruction, and rebirth.
First mentioned in 1170, St. Petri’s journey began. Around 1250, construction started on the St. Petri church we see today. Initially, it was a three-aisled Romanesque hall church. Then around 1300, it transformed into a Gothic hall church. The church was expanded. A polygonal choir was added.
Around 1350, chapels sprouted on both sides. These were initially independent structures. By 1450 on the north side and 1519 on the south, they were unified under the main roof. This created a unique five-aisled hall. The west tower, completed in 1427, features a distinctive roof. Four small corner towers flank it.
But tragedy struck in 1942. A bomb attack ravaged St. Petri. It burned completely. Eyewitnesses recall only a 20-centimeter layer of ash remained from the wooden interior. Miraculously, some stone slabs, epitaphs, brass chandeliers, and the baroque baptismal font survived.
For years, St. Petri lay in ruins. A temporary roof was installed in the winter of 1948/49. A new roof followed in 1960. The tower was rebuilt in 1961. It included an elevator for visitors. Essential structural repairs finished by 1967. Yet, the interior remained a shell. Services were impossible. The St. Petri parish moved to St. Aegidien and St. Jakobi churches. In 1954, the St. Petri parish was dissolved. Its 6,400 members were divided between St. Marien and Dom parishes.
The abandoned St.-Petri-Kirche faced an uncertain future. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the St. Petri Building Association, the church was restored internally by 1987. The association raised 1.5 million D-Mark. The historical inventory was completely destroyed. Reconstruction was impossible. Today, a simple, whitewashed space greets visitors. This highlights the unique architecture of the five-aisled hall. Modern artworks add visual interest. The altar cross by Arnulf Rainer and the neon cross by Hanna Jäger invite reflection.
Today, St. Petri serves as a cultural and university church. The St. Petri Curatorium manages it. It hosts special events. These include concerts and avant-garde art exhibitions. It also provides discussion forums. These events foster dialogue between religion, science, and culture. Since 2000, the Petrivisionen event series has staged nighttime productions. These explore themes of ideological significance. Since 2004, St. Petri has been a university church. Lübeck’s universities use it for ceremonies and public discourse.
As you stand here, remember the layers of history beneath your feet. St. Petri is a spiritual beacon. It is a cultural center. Climb the tower for breathtaking views. Attend a concert. Or simply sit in quiet contemplation. St. Petri welcomes all.