St. Michaelis Church, Hamburg

St. Michaelis is a baroque place of worship in Neustadt that extends 71 meters and measures 51 meters across. Its brick tower rises 132 meters and shapes the silhouette of the city.

Construction began in 1647, but fires destroyed earlier versions of the building. The present form emerged from reconstruction between 1947 and 1952 following damage during the Second World War.

The tower dome carries the affectionate local name Michel, used by sailors as a landmark when approaching the port. This nickname reflects how deeply the building is woven into the identity of Hamburg's maritime community.

An observation platform offers views over the city and suits visitors wanting to survey the downtown area and harbor. The climb requires stairs, but the outlook over rooftops and waterways rewards the effort.

The tower clock faces each measure eight meters across and rank among the largest in Germany. A trumpeter performs chorales from the tower at 10 AM and 9 PM on weekdays.

Location: Hamburg-Mitte

Inception: 1647

Architects: Julius Faulwasser

Architectural style: baroque architecture

Height: 132.14 m

Length: 71 m

Width: 51 m

Made from material: brick

Website: https://st-michaelis.de

GPS coordinates: 53.54833,9.97889

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:44