The Devil and Old Peter in Munich
St. Peter’s Church on Petersbergl is the oldest church in Munich, built in the Romanesque style in 1181. In 1278, the sacred building was replaced by a Gothic church. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the towers and altar were redesigned in the Baroque style. After the church was completely destroyed in World War II, it was rebuilt by the year 2000. This church, with its 91-meter-high tower, Old Peter, not only offers the best view of the city after climbing 306 steps, but also houses Munich’s oldest bells and clocks. It is also the subject of a legend about the leaning spire. The leaning spire is said to date back to the following incident. After lightning struck the church in 1607 and destroyed the tower, it was rebuilt, much to the devil’s chagrin. He and his entourage then hatched a plan to hang onto the spire at night in order to tear it down. The plan was put into action, but the devil and his entourage had not reckoned with the tower guard Heinz, who bravely defended the tower with a wooden cross until 1 o’clock struck and the haunting came to an abrupt end. The next day, the tower guard told the city council about the nighttime event, but they did not believe him. It was only when the mayor saw the crooked spire while reading the time that the heroic deed was spread throughout the city. St. Peter’s Church, with its Old Peter and its daily ringing of eight bells, is simply part of Munich. The church also impresses with its interior, featuring a Baroque high altar and the relics of Saint Munditia. St. Peter’s Church is a special Munich landmark that I always enjoy visiting when I’m in Munich’s old town.
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