Built between 1498 and 1500 the Stadtkirche St Peter und Paul stands before you. A testament to late Gothic architecture it’s a magnificent sight. This church wasn’t always so grand. The original structure built between 1245 and 1249 met a fiery end in 1299. Only its foundations survived. A second church rose but suffered damage in the 1424 city fire.
The Stadtkirche St Peter und Paul you see today is the result of tireless rebuilding. It’s more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a living record of Weimar’s history. Its choir served as a burial place for the Ernestine line of the Wettin dynasty. Imagine the weight of history resting within these walls. Generations of rulers lie beneath your feet.
The church is affectionately known as the Herderkirche. This is thanks to Johann Gottfried Herder. He served as a prominent figure here from 1776 until his death in 1803. Herder is buried in the adjacent cemetery. Herzogin Anna Amalia was laid to rest there in 1807. The square in front of the church bears his name too. A memorial marks Herder’s former residence just north of the Stadtkirche.
World War II brought devastation. On February 9 1945 bombs severely damaged the church. The 19-meter-high pitched roof and wooden vaulting were largely destroyed. The remaining stone vaults in the eastern sections collapsed. The interior was ravaged. Reconstruction efforts were immense. From 1948 to 1953 the Stadtkirche St Peter und Paul was painstakingly rebuilt. The exterior walls were secured the roof and spire were raised. New wooden vaults were installed. The church reopened on June 14 1953. Restoration of the interior continued until 1977.
A remarkable feature is the three-winged altarpiece. Recent research attributes it to Lucas Cranach the Younger. Dating from 1552 to 1555 it’s a masterpiece of 16th-century Saxon-Thuringian art. The altarpiece is a testament to the artistic skill of the time. It survived the war thanks to its removal in 1940.
The Stadtkirche St Peter und Paul houses princely tombs. From the mid-16th to the early 17th century it served as the burial place for the Ernestine Wettins residing in Weimar. Noteworthy are the tombs of Johann Friedrich I of Saxony his wife Sibylla and many more. Anna Amalia the last regent was interred here in 1807.
The church’s organ is a marvel. Reconstructed in 1998-1999 it incorporates parts from earlier organs. The original was created by Johann Gottlob Trampeli in 1812. This instrument boasts 53 registers on three manuals and pedals. It’s a joy to listen to.
The church’s bells have a story of their own. Originally six they were reduced to three in World War I. In 2009 three new bronze bells were cast. They are named Luther Herder and Bach. They are a perfect blend of history and modernity. They chime harmoniously above us even today.
The Stadtkirche St Peter und Paul is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a place where history echoes art and faith intertwine. It is a place that should leave a lasting impression. Take a moment to appreciate its beauty.