Choir

3

In its present form, the choir probably dates from the early 13th century. Murals from the 14th century are still visible in the choir today.

The oldest verifiable church building, dating from the 8th or 9th century, was located in the eastern half of today’s building. This church was extended at the end of the 10th century. A larger rectangular choir was constructed at the site of the semi-circular apse, thus extending the building eastwards. An enlarged sacristy was attached to the St Peter-Hofstatt side of the church, spanning the entire depth of the choir; we can imagine it as a single storey building with a lean-to roof.

At the beginning of the 13th century, the early Romanesque church was completed pulled down and in its place a church with choir tower was constructed, the foundation of what is the choir today.

On the interior walls of the choir you can still see paintings from three different epochs. The oldest wall painting on both sides of the east window dates from the 14th century. Each side shows the figure of an apostle turned towards the window with his head reaching half way up the window. On the left, from an observer’s perspective, we can see the patron saint of the church Saint Peter with his large keys and book. To the right of the window, we can only see the outlines of the head and sword of Saint Paul.

Even today, wall remnants of earlier church buildings still lie under the floor.

More Information on our Website:
st-peter-zh.ch