Behold! Before us stands the Schutzpatron hl. Petrus Statue. He is Trier’s cool constant. For centuries, Petrus has maintained his iconic style. Bart. Bible. Floor-length robe. These accessories make him instantly recognizable.
Since the 12th century, Petrus has graced Trier’s city seal. It is one of Europe’s oldest. At 12.7 cm in diameter, it’s unusually large. Trier used it to assert its prominence. Having Petrus, Rome’s first bishop, was a medieval flex.
Trier is proud of its bearded patron. Locals believe Petrus holds the keys to Heaven. He can unlock the gates. He grants a cloud-filled afterlife. As Trier’s patron, he ensures good weather. But Petrus faces a challenge. Around 1900, city leaders put his face on sewer covers. Many were replaced in 1993. Petrus remained.
Pedestrians often step on him. Understandably, this makes him angry. Clouds gather. The weather turns cool and rainy. Trier residents mind their steps. They avoid treading on their patron. There are about 14,000 of these sewer covers. Sometimes, people look at their phones. Then they jump to avoid stepping on Petrus. Gelassenheit is a word that Petrus lives by. The last 2000 years brought him calmness.
If you step on him, kneel. Stroke his face a little. The weather might improve.
The Marktbrunnen from 1595 shows Saint Petrus. He is the patron saint of the Dom and the city. The Trierer Dom is Germany’s oldest bishop’s church. Its origins trace back to Emperor Constantine the Great.
The Petrusbrunnen, or Saint Peter’s Fountain, enhances Trier’s main market. Sculptor Hans Rupprecht Hoffmann erected it in 1595. It shows Mannerist style. The fountain has intricate ornamentation. Allegorical figures decorate it. A near life-size statue of Saint Peter stands above the hexagonal basin.
Around the basin stand the four cardinal virtues. Justice. Strength. Moderation. Wisdom. They represent moral ideals. Lions, putti, dolphins, and geese add symbolic richness. Justice holds a sword and scales. Strength has a broken column. Moderation presents water and wine. Wisdom carries a mirror and snake. Trier’s coats of arms intertwine with the imagery.
Originally, Saint Peter’s Fountain drew water from Herrenbrunnchen. It became ornamental after Trier got a central water supply. The fountain survived World War II undamaged. Restorations occurred in 1982/83, 2004, and 2013/14. These addressed stone damage. They added modern lighting.
Each year, the crowning figure gets a bouquet. This welcomes the Old Town Festival. Saint Peter’s Fountain remains a landmark. It symbolizes Trier’s enduring history and artistry.
The apostle’s depiction strongly resembles Trier’s city coat of arms. In his right hand, he holds a brass key. This is his main attribute. It identifies him as the gatekeeper of Heaven. In his left, Petrus holds a book. This symbolizes the Gospel.