St. Peter's Church, Tel Aviv, Israel

Standing: High
Rank: Rank 84 of 1,855

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

About St. Peter's Church

St. Peter's Church is a Franciscan Catholic church in Old Jaffa, now part of Tel Aviv. The first church, dedicated to Saint Peter, was built in 1654 over a medieval citadel erected by Frederick I and restored by Louis IX of France; it was destroyed and rebuilt twice in the late 18th century. The present building dates from 1888–1894 and was last renovated in 1903. It stands in Jaffa because, according to the Acts of the Apostles, Peter raised Tabitha from the dead here. The church is open to the public every day, and Masses are held in English, Spanish, Polish and Hebrew.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

What's inside

With its tall brick façade and bell tower, the church is the largest and most distinctive building in Old Jaffa. Inside, a high vaulted ceiling, marble walls and stained glass made in Munich by Franz Xaver Zettler recall European cathedrals; the windows show scenes from Peter's life and mostly Spanish saints, as the building was erected by the Spanish Empire. The pulpit is carved in the shape of a lifelike tree. Outside, to the right of the sacristy, remain two round, low-ceilinged rooms of the 13th-century citadel, where Napoleon is said to have stayed in 1799. A statue of Louis IX stands in the monastery courtyard.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source