Perlach Tower

The Perlach Church (Perlachkirche) in Augsburg is a historic Roman Catholic branch church built on Perlachberg hill next to the City Hall. Although it is structurally connected to the famous Perlach Tower, it is a separate building, originally founded around 1060 by Augsburg Bishop Embrico as a pilgrimage church. The present church dates back to 1182, after the earlier building collapsed during a service. One of the few surviving Romanesque hall churches in southern Germany, it stands out for its brick construction and distinctive floor plan. For a long time, the church was the seat of an important collegiate foundation and also served as the council church, where an ecumenical service for the city council is still held after the summer break.

Inside, you can admire numerous art-historical treasures created over the centuries. The chancel houses a marbled high altar from the 18th century with an altarpiece by Johann Matthias Kager. The apses contain medieval frescoes uncovered during restorations, as well as sculptures such as the Augsburg Madonna and a statue of St. Peter. A particular highlight is the pilgrimage image of Mary Untier of Knots in the south apse, which was donated in 1700 and is now of great international significance. The church also holds the oldest surviving organ in the city, dated to 1688, which stands on a three-part gallery.

The adjacent Perlach Tower, 70 meters (230 feet) tall and originally used as a watchtower, is another central element of the ensemble. A staircase of 258 steps leads up to an observation platform at a height of about 60 meters (197 feet). A unique experience is the Turamichele, a mechanical figure of the Archangel Michael that appears in the tower's lowest window every hour on the hour on Michaelmas, thrusting his lance at the devil. This tradition makes the site a fascinating destination for anyone interested in history and culture.