Detail

Visitors approaching the city from the East can enjoy an imposing view: the mighty eastern choir with its towering, 72m-long copper roof heralds the former strength and wealth of the city. It emerged in the 11th century from an early castle church. With the development of the urban municipality at the beginning of the 13th century, it rose to become the city parish. In 1372, the Peter and Paul Church, as its full patrocinium reads, became the sole main church of the town, while St. Nicholas' Church was reduced to its filial. In 1423, during the Gothic period, the church was rebuilt into a mighty five-aisled hall church, decorated with numerous towers, which was also intended to document its increased status on the outside. St. Peter's Church in Görlitz is the largest and oldest church of this type in Saxony and became the model for all later buildings.

The attraction in St. Peter's Church is the "Sun Organ". It was created in 1697 by the Italian organ builder Eugenio Casparini. Its special features include a facade with 17 "suns" (radially arranged pipes) and a spectacular register (e.g. animal voices). The instrument is regularly heard at concerts, church services and devotions. Orgelpunkt (presentation of the "Sun Organ"): every Sunday at 12 o‘clock, from April to October every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 12 o’clock, on public holidays at 12 o’clock.

Every year on Good Friday, the Stations of the Cross procession take place from St Peter's Church to the Holy Sepulchre.