The Catholic Church of St. Peter with its slim bell tower - one of the most notable buildings in Old Jaffa. Erected in the Baroque style of pink brick, it is, in addition, also very nice.

Dedication of the Church of the Apostles chapter called specific reason: in these places there were miraculous events associated with the name of Peter. In Jaffa brought him slёznaya please followers of Christ - they called the Apostle to the bedside just deceased woman. Tabitha was a virtuous Christian who gave much alms. "Acts" so tell us about the future, "Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body said, Tabitha, Arise. And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, sat up "(Acts 9:40).

Then Peter gosteval in the house of Simon the tanner, located nearby, "by the sea." It was here during the prayer the apostle was the voice of heaven, to determine the fate of Christianity: "What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common" .tak God revealed to Peter that we can not "call any man common or unclean." Since then, the saint became an ardent supporter of the preaching of the Word of God to the Gentiles.

Church to its present location was erected in 1654 on the foundations of the medieval citadel of the XIII century. At the end of the XVIII century, the temple was destroyed twice and rebuilt twice, each time changing the appearance. The current building dates from the end of the XIX century. However, it includes the remains of the citadel of the time of St. Louis, located near the sacristy. This two rooms with low ceilings and narrow windows, loopholes. It is believed that it was here in 1799 during his Middle East campaign, Napoleon Bonaparte lived.

The interior of the church is unusual for the Middle East: a high vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows and marble walls of the building resembles a European cathedrals. On the stained glass windows made in Munich, represented the major episodes in the life of St. Peter: a wonderful catch of fish present at the Transfiguration of Our Lord, Lord Peter handing the keys to paradise, feet-washing at the Last Supper, the resurrection of Tabitha. The altar painting shows a scene from a vision in the house of Simon the tanner. It is worth paying attention to the pulpit carved in the shape of a tree.

Church ministers to the Franciscans, whose active presence in the Holy Land is from the XIII century. In 1342 Pope Clement VI announced the Franciscan custodians of the holy places. On the western facade of the church you can see the coat of arms of the Order: in the oval cartouche - two hands, one belongs to Jesus Christ, the other - St. Francis of Assisi, founder of the Order.

Legend has it that the very first church was built here Crusaders, perpetuating the very spot where once stood a modest house of Simon the tanner. Similarly, if it is so, it is impossible to say. But church bell tower, clearly visible from the sea, indicating the pilgrims from afar shore, where made his wonderful work of Saint Peter.