St. Peter and Paul's Parish Church in Görlitz

The Parish Church of St. Peter and Paul in Görlitz, the largest late Gothic hall church in Saxony, boasts a rich history and impressive architecture. Its origins date back to around 1230, when a late Romanesque basilica stood on the site of the present church. The current building, constructed between 1423 and 1475, features a five-aisled pseudo-basilica design and rests on the sturdy foundations of the four-aisled St. George's Crypt, consecrated in 1475. Architectural details such as slender pillars and net and star vaults create a harmonious interior space. The church's interior, which lost its original furnishings in a fire in 1691, was rebuilt in the Baroque style. Only a few elements, such as the wall paintings in the St. George's Chapel, have been preserved. A notable feature is the Sonnenorgel (Sun Organ) from 1703, whose prospectus draws attention with pipes shaped like sun rays. The instrument has been rebuilt several times, most recently in 1997, when new organs were constructed by the firm Mathis Orgelbau AG. The church's two soaring towers reach a height of 84 meters and were erected between 1889 and 1891, serving as a distinctive landmark of Görlitz's Old Town. Together, these elements form a historic complex that not only attracts tourists but also represents an important part of local culture and history.