T is for AlTer PeTer

 

The view from a tower is always a great way to see a city from above and get some orientation. While we were in München, Kaefer suggested climbing the tower of St. Peter, the oldest recorded parish church in Munich, right in the center of the city. It is called "Alter Peter" in the vernacular. You can find it between Marienplatz and Viktualienmark.

Climbing the tower is not for the faint of heart - it's up old wooden stairs and after a while I stopped counting the steps and just concentrated on actually making it to the top. I had to take a few breaks and catch my breath, but I eventually made it to the viewing platform.

It was worth every single step (and every silent curse that slipped through my mind). What a view!

View over Heiliggeistkirche toward Kaefer's neighborhood at the horizon

Neues Rathaus (New City hall) at Marienplatz, Theatinerkirche and Hofgarten; Olympic Tower to the left

Frauenkirche - one of the most well known landmarks - and Olympic Tower

Viktualienmarkt - you can even faintly see the Alps in the distance

Looking straight down to the roof of the church - it is a very long church.

After we had come down we visited the inside of the church. It is Roman-Catholic like so many churches in Bavaria. It's built and decorated in the Baroque style, lots of gold inside - let me put it mildly, I simply don't like it (those who know me are aware of my much stronger feelings and opinions).

I couldn't resist taking the following photo, even though the quality is rather poor. My photographer's eye is always open, even if I don't like a place (or especially then).

One thing I like in Catholic churches are the candles and I always light one for my family. In my book, praying for your family is not dependent on any church or even religion. I liked that the image of the church is engraved on the candles.

Pandemic times didn't pass by the holy water either - it was in a special dispenser ("Weihwasserspender" means holy water dispenser).

Right next to the church are several street cafés and we thought it was time for a break - and this is my ticket for Elizabeth's T Tuesday. Kaefer and I had a Bellini with a scoop of ice cream and the Geek opted for the ice coffee. Please note that I write "ice" instead of "iced" coffee - ice coffee is cold coffee with one or two scoops of vanilla ice cream and often whipped cream on top. It's very popular in Germany; the German word for it is "Eiskaffee" (and the same goes for Eisschokolade or ice chocolate that I wrote about here).

I simply love the reflection of the Bellini in Kaefer's sunglasses.