St. Catherine's Church, Hamburg

St. Catherine's Church is a brick Lutheran building in Hamburg-Mitte, positioned on an artificial island alongside the historic port district. Its tower reaches 116.70 meters (383 feet) and defines the skyline of the old waterfront with its slender profile.

Construction began in the 13th century and developed through several phases into a major place of worship in the Brick Gothic style. During air raids in July 1943 the building burned out completely, leaving only the outer walls and the lower section of the tower standing.

Sailors would gather here before voyages and return to give thanks after safe journeys, making it a central place for maritime communities. The interior still holds memorial plaques and nautical symbols that reflect this seafaring heritage.

Sunday services take place at 11 in the morning, offering an opportunity to experience worship within a historic setting. The building is also accessible for visits outside service hours when no events are scheduled.

Johann Sebastian Bach played the organ here in 1720 while auditioning for a position at the nearby Jacobikirche. The audition took place in this space even though the role itself was at a different church.

Location: Hamburg-Mitte

Architectural style: Brick Gothic

Height: 116.7 m

Made from material: brick

Website: http://katharinen-hamburg.de

GPS coordinates: 53.54600,9.99437

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:31