St. Nicholas’ Church, Hamburg

St. Nicholas' Church is a church building and memorial in Hamburg-Mitte, whose slender tower shapes the cityscape and serves as a landmark. The brick walls stand as an open ruin while the spire still rises nearly 148 meters into the sky.

The origins of this place of worship reach back to 1195, when a small chapel was built here. The neo-Gothic reconstruction from the mid-19th century was largely destroyed during air raids in the Second World War and afterwards deliberately left as a ruin.

The basement exhibition space displays photographs and artifacts recovered from the rubble, guiding visitors through the story of the city and its destruction. The preserved outer walls now serve as a frame for memorial events and quiet moments of reflection.

A glass elevator brings visitors to a viewing platform at about 76 meters, from where you can look out over the rooftops of the inner city. Access to the tower is possible daily, with opening hours varying slightly depending on the season.

The tower holds one of Germany's largest carillons with 51 bells, which gives free concerts every Thursday around midday. The melodies can be heard from street level and regularly draw passersby who pause in the surrounding area.

Location: Hamburg-Mitte

Inception: 1195

Architects: George Gilbert Scott

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Height: 147.88 m

Made from material: brick

Opening Hours: May-September Monday-Sunday 10:00-18:00; October-April Monday-Sunday 10:00-17:00

Website: https://mahnmal-st-nikolai.de

GPS coordinates: 53.54766,9.99120

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:55