St. Peter

St. Peter's Church (Sankt Peterkirche) in Zurich is the city's oldest parish church, and its tower, carrying an enormous clock face, is one of the most recognisable sights of the Old Town (Altstadt) on the left bank of the Limmat.

What is the history of the church?

The church stands on the Lindenhof hill, a spot with a long record of earlier sacred buildings. Foundations from the 9th century survive beneath the choir, and some sources push the earliest structures back to the 8th century. A Romanesque church was built around the year 1000 and replaced in 1230 by a late Romanesque building, parts of which still stand. Rudolf Brun, the city's first guild-era mayor, acquired the church in 1345. During the Reformation Leo Jud preached here, and in the 18th century the pastor was Johann Caspar Lavater.

Why is the tower famous?

The tower is roughly 200 years older than the present nave and served as a fire watch until 1911. Its four dials measure about 8.7 metres across and are widely described as the largest church clock faces in Europe. The clock set Zurich's official time. Swiss broadcaster SRF dates the first mechanical clock to 1366, while other sources give 1538, so treat clock dates as approximate. Five bells cast in 1880 hang in the tower; the biggest weighs more than 6 tonnes. The city owns the tower, while the parish owns the nave.

What will you see inside?

The choir keeps its Romanesque character, and the three-aisled interior is Baroque. The current nave was consecrated in 1706, and 15th-century choir stalls survive from earlier times. The space is bright and plain, typical of Zwinglian Reformed churches.

How do you get there, and when should you visit?

The church sits on Peterhofstatt square in the heart of the Altstadt. It is about a five-minute walk from the Paradeplatz tram stop, and Rennweg is also close. Entry is free. Published opening hours differ between sources and change for events, so check the parish site st-peter-zh.ch before you go. The clock is best admired from the surrounding lanes below, and a visit pairs easily with the Lindenhof viewpoint and a stroll along the Limmat.

Frequently asked questions

Is St. Peter the oldest church in Zurich? It is the city's oldest parish church, with origins in the 9th century, and some sources point to the 8th.

How big is the clock face? About 8.7 metres in diameter, commonly cited as the largest church clock face in Europe.

Is there an entrance fee? No, entry is free.

How long should I plan for a visit? Allow 20 to 30 minutes inside, or about an hour including Peterhofstatt and the nearby Lindenhof.