St. Peter

St. Peter, locally known as Petrikirche, is a magnificent and historical gem nestled in the heart of Kulmbach, Bavaria, Germany. This Gothic, three-aisled church stands proudly on the hill of Plassenburg, offering a glimpse into the region's rich religious and architectural heritage. As the oldest church in Kulmbach, St. Peter is not just a place of worship but a testament to the town's enduring history and resilience through the ages.

The Historical Tapestry of St. Peter

The origins of St. Peter trace back to 1174 when a priest named Luitpold from Culminaha was first mentioned, suggesting that the church was already in existence. The church's patronage was granted to the Langheim Monastery in 1285 by the Bamberg Cathedral chapter. However, the church's journey has not been without turmoil. On January 31, 1430, the Hussite storm ravaged Kulmbach, leading to the destruction of the church. A Latin inscription on the southern choir pillar commemorates the commencement of the church's reconstruction on June 8, 1439.

The Reformation reached Kulmbach in 1528, marking a significant shift in the church's religious landscape. Yet, the church faced another setback during the Federal War when it was besieged and destroyed in 1553. The tower, which had been adapted as a defensive platform, was a particular target. The church was left in ruins, and its vault collapsed the following year. It wasn't until 1559 that reconstruction efforts began, utilizing the remnants of the original structure. The tower was rebuilt in 1568, and a barrel vault was installed in the nave in 1643.

In the late 19th century, from 1878 to 1880, St. Peter underwent a thorough renovation aimed at restoring its late Gothic appearance. This renovation included the removal of the old Gothic stone pulpit, now housed in the Plassenburg Museum, and the installation of a cross vault in the nave. Despite plans to raise the tower, financial constraints prevented this from happening.

Architectural Splendor

St. Peter is a stately hall church of late Gothic design, constructed with ashlar masonry. The exterior features a high base, and the choir's buttresses are adorned with water spouts and niches for statues, while the nave's buttresses are more straightforward. The north portal boasts a pointed arch with rod profiles and a neo-Gothic tympanum, while the south portal is embellished with king busts, figures, animals, and crabs in the middle groove, as well as angels and masks on the column capitals. The west tower is adorned with tracery friezes and a curved pointed helmet. The squat portal vestibule contains a portal with a figure of St. Peter on a leaf wreath console and a canopy dating back to around 1450. Two sacristies are attached to the choir corners, with the southern one being more modern.

Inside, the church is a spacious three-aisled hall church with five bays. The cross-ribbed vaults, pillars, upper wall services, and gallery have been supplemented in the neo-Gothic style. The strongly recessed, three-aisled choir with two bays ends in a five-eighth closure and is topped with a star vault on services. Pointed arch windows with rich tracery, some featuring fish bladder motifs, illuminate the interior.

Rich and Diverse Interior

The early Baroque altar, commissioned by Margrave Christian between 1650 and 1653, was crafted by Johann Brenck and Hans Georg Schlehendorn. The predella features a depiction of the donor on the right. The baptismal font dates back to 1880, and the alabaster reliefs by Brenck and Schlehendorn from 1647 were reused. These reliefs depict the Adoration of the Shepherds, the Circumcision, the Baptism, and Jesus as a friend of children. A crucifix created by Brenck and Schlehendorn in 1649 also adorns the church. Several paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries have been preserved.

Above the sacristy door is a triptych from 1644 by Friedrich Schmidt. The exterior of the choir features several tomb monuments, including one for Georg Wolf von Laineck and his wife († 1644), with full-figure depictions of the deceased in high relief and an architectural frame. The epitaphs of Pastor Peter Otto (1610–1688) and his wife Margarethe née Lussovius (1603–1685), featuring half-figures of the deceased in medallions, were likely created by Elias Räntz.

The Majestic Organ

St. Peter has a long history of organs, with mentions of organs in 1587, 1593, and 1597. From 1657 to 1661, Matthias Tretzscher built an organ. In 1859, Ludwig Weineck constructed a new organ (22/II/P), with a neo-Gothic prospect designed by Behringer, now on display at the Organ Center Valley. Another new organ, Opus 142 by Johannes Strebel (24/II/P), was built in 1907 and expanded by Steinmeyer in 1941 to 41/III/P. This instrument was stored in Valley in 2000.

The current organ, built by Rieger Orgelbau (Austria) in 2000, features 50 registers on three manuals and a pedal. The couplings include I/II, III/II, III/I, I/P, II/P, and III/P.

Other Notable Features

It is believed that a rock passage once existed to the Langheim official court, which can still be partially accessed from the official court.

In conclusion, St. Peter in Kulmbach is not merely a church; it is a living chronicle of the town's history, resilience, and architectural evolution. Its walls and artifacts tell stories of faith, destruction, and rebirth, making it an unmissable destination for those exploring the rich cultural tapestry of Bavaria.