Was it truly founded in the 11th century? St. Petri stands as Hamburg’s oldest church since the Mariendom’s demolition in 1805. Named after the apostle Petrus, St. Petri is one of Hamburg’s five main Christian churches.
St. Petri’s history is a tale of resilience. It has been rebuilt and restored time and again. This church has witnessed Hamburg’s evolution. Imagine this site in 1189. St. Petri was likely built. It was documented in 1195 as a market church. Around 1310, St. Petri was rebuilt in Gothic style. Construction finished around 1418.
Consider the bronze lion-head door handles. These handles are the oldest work of art in Hamburg. They date back to the tower’s foundation in 1342. A copper-covered spire topped the tower in 1516. At 127.5 meters, it was taller than Hamburg Cathedral. However, St. Nicholas Church surpassed it in 1518 at 135 meters.
Between 1804 and 1807, decay and political tensions led to the demolition of St. Petri. Napoleonic soldiers commandeered St. Petri along with other main churches in 1813. They used them as horse stables. This was during the French occupation.
In May 1842, the Great Fire swept through Hamburg. St. Petri fell victim. Most artworks were saved. The St. Petri portal gateway was heavily damaged. It was later built into the Hamburg Museum. The doorway was restored in 1995.
Seven years later, architects Alexis de Chateauneuf and Hermann Peter Fersenfeldt rebuilt the Gothic church. It was rebuilt in its previous location. The 132-meter-high church tower was finished in 1878. Johann Hermann Maack designed its copper spire.
During WWII, in July 1943, air attacks caused another fire in the city. Fortunately, the tower wasn’t seriously damaged. However, nearly half the city was destroyed.
If you climb the 544 steps to the viewing platform, you will be rewarded. A beautiful view through the tower’s portholes awaits. From this height, you overlook the city center. You can see the City Hall, the Alster Lakes and even the cranes in the port.
Inside St. Petri, discover its art. A Gothic mural from approximately 1460 depicts Bishop Ansgar of Bremen. He is called Apostle of the North. A statue by Bernt Notke from around 1480 shows Archbishop Ansgar and the Hamburg Marienkirche.
Two oil paintings by Gottfried Libalt from the 17th century also stand. They are Jacob’s Dream and Christ’s Birth. The painting Christmas 1813 in St. Petri depicts Hamburg citizens locked in the church. They were locked in by Napoleon’s troops for not providing food. A modern bronze sculpture by Fritz Fleer shows Dietrich Bonhoeffer dressed as a convict.
St. Petri stands as a testament to Hamburg’s spirit. It has survived fire, war and decay. St. Petri remains a symbol of faith. It is a beacon in the heart of the city.