Visit São Pedro Church to appreciate the landscaped gardens and beautiful stain-glassed windows of this centre of worship for the Catholic parish of Gramado. View the church during the day to enjoy the richly hued stained-glass windows. These were created by a German artist to tell the story of important moments in the life of St. Peter, after whom the church is named.
Take a seat in one of the pews for reflection and contemplation or stay and experience daily Mass with the locals and hear the ceremony conducted in Portuguese.
Walk along the statues lining the water feature in the garden outside to see the carved representation of the 12 apostles. Check the temperature at the giant thermometer located below the clock tower in the square outside. In the evening, see the pretty spectacle of the church illuminated at night.
The structure was built in 1942 from local basalt stones on the site of what was originally a small wooden chapel. Notice the Romanesque architectural style, a reflection of the German-Bavarian heritage of the town. It features beautiful wood carvings on the ceiling and a 150-foot-tall (46-metre) bell tower. Listen for the 2,200-pound (1,000-kilogram) bell ringing out to mark the start of Mass.
From November to mid-January you might be lucky enough to attend some of the church’s famous Christmas celebrations, including light displays, choir performances and the giant Christmas tree that is a favourite with children.
Entry to the church is free and visitors are welcome to attend daily Mass. The church is located in a central position opposite Nicolleti Square and close to the Rua Coberta with its many varied restaurants and bars. The surrounding neighbourhood has many excellent hotels to choose from that are walking distance from the church. The area is a good central base for exploring the town.
Beautiful São Pedro Church is worth a visit day or night and will quickly become a familiar point of reference while you explore the pretty garden town of Gramado.
