St. Peter’s Church 🇩🇪

Welcome to St. Peter’s Church (Hauptkirche St. Petri), a historic landmark standing on the ancient site of Hamburg’s original Hammaburg area. Serving as a Protestant cathedral since the Reformation, this resilient house of worship survived French occupation—when Napoleonic soldiers converted it into a horse stable—and the Great Fire of 1842.

Rebuilt in the Gothic style by architects Alexis de Chateauneuf and Hermann Peter Fersenfeldt, the cathedral boasts a soaring 132-meter church tower topped with a striking copper spire. As you explore the interior, you will discover extraordinary artistic treasures spanning centuries. Don't miss the famous bronze lion-head door handles on the west portal's left wing, created in 1342 as Hamburg's oldest work of art. Inside, inspect a Gothic mural from around 1460 depicting Saint Ansgar, the 'Apostle of the North,' and a 1480s choir column statue by Bernt Notke.

You can also view historical oil paintings by Gottfried Libalt, neo-Gothic representations of the evangelists, a poignant painting capturing citizens imprisoned in the church during Christmas 1813, and a modern bronze sculpture of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Fritz Fleer. It is an unmissable destination for art lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

What to see at St. Peter’s Church

• Hamburg's oldest work of art: the 1342 bronze lion-head door handles
• A 132-meter-high church tower featuring an impressive copper spire
• A 1460s Gothic mural depicting Saint Ansgar, the 'Apostle of the North'
• Restored 17th-century oil paintings by Gottfried Libalt
• Modern bronze sculpture of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Fritz Fleer

Visiting tips

Look for the famous 1342 bronze lion-head door handles mounted on the left wing of the west portal before entering.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Early morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

St. Peter’s Church is easy to reach on Hamburg’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Hamburger Kunsthalle and St. Nicholas Church, Hamburg. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Hamburg travel guide.