Peterskirche

The Peterskirche on Vienna's Graben is one of Austria's most accomplished high-Baroque centralized churches, built from 1702 with plans attributed to Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and decisive contributions by Lucas von Hildebrandt. Tradition holds that a church has stood on this site since the 8th century — legend attributing the first foundation to Charlemagne himself. Inside, an oval nave culminates in Johann Michael Rottmayr's ceiling fresco of 1714, depicting the Assumption in swirling gold and cloud, while carved side altars and a dramatically sculpted pulpit compete for attention. Catacombs beneath the church are accessible on guided tours. The building doubles today as a chamber-music and organ-concert venue, its compact oval acoustic making even modest ensembles sound immersive.

Finished 1733, oval high-Baroque church to plans by Hildebrandt, dome fresco by Rottmayr, right by the Graben.