St. Nikolai, Kiel, Protestant church in Alter Markt, Kiel, Germany
St. Nikolai is a Gothic hall church with three naves located at Alter Markt in the center of Kiel. The building stands on medieval foundations, though most of its current structure dates from a postwar reconstruction.
The church was founded in 1242 under Adolf IV of Schauenburg, making it one of the oldest buildings in Kiel. After a lightning strike in 1486 caused major damage, it was largely destroyed again in World War II and rebuilt in the 1950s.
The Pommernkapelle displays mosaics showing scenes from the historical region of Pomerania, reflecting the old ties between Kiel and Szczecin. This small chapel sits quietly inside the church and is easy to miss on a first visit.
The church sits directly on Alter Markt and is easy to reach on foot from the center of Kiel. Inside, visitors can see several notable works including a bronze baptismal font from the 14th century and a Barlach sculpture.
St. Nikolai holds the largest bell system in Kiel, which can be heard across the city center on certain days. The set of bells rings together in a way that carries far beyond the immediate square.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
