Old St. Nicholas church, Medieval Lutheran church in Altstadt, Frankfurt, Germany

Old St. Nicholas Church stands near the Römerberg with a red sandstone tower topped by an octagonal stage and a green copper spire, beside a white-walled hall framed by red stone quoins and a steep dark grey roof with dormer vents. Inside, red sandstone blocks alternate with pale plaster beneath pointed arches and ribbed vaulting; two tall pointed windows with stained glass face a stone altar table and a circular metal chandelier.

The church began as a simple chapel around the mid-12th century before being rebuilt into its current form around 1467. Modifications during the 15th century shaped the Gothic structure that stands today.

The church is named after Saint Nicholas, patron saint of fishermen, fitting for a site near the Main. Since 1949 it has served the Protestant Paulsgemeinde, and since 2006 the Indonesian Christian congregation Kristusgemeinde has also worshipped here, holding services in Indonesian.

The church stands just south of the Römerberg, a few steps from the Römer city hall and the Saalhof. The excavated foundations of the 12th-century predecessor are marked in the floor, so look down as you enter. Services are held by the Protestant Paulsgemeinde and the Indonesian Kristusgemeinde, so times vary.

The church holds 51 bells: four ring for peals and 47 serve as a carillon. The carillon is played from a keyboard, and the bells hang in the tower whose green copper spire rises above the red sandstone. The instrument makes the church one of Frankfurt's musical landmarks.