Saint Giles church, Gothic church in Old City, Germany
Saint Giles Church is a brick hall church in Lübeck's Old City, rising to about 86 meters at its western tower. The tower follows the model of Saint Mary's Church nearby and is divided into several levels.
The church was founded in 1227, making it one of the oldest structures in Lübeck's Old City. In 1530, the first Protestant communion in Lübeck was held here, marking the city's shift toward the Reformation.
A wooden rood screen from the 16th century with painted biblical scenes still divides the choir from the nave today. This arrangement gives a clear sense of how the interior was shaped for worship over many generations.
The interior is largely open to visitors and shows layers of construction from different periods. Some areas may be temporarily closed because of restoration work, so it is worth checking before your visit.
A cannonball from the 1806 Battle of Lübeck is still lodged in the wall beside the north door. It was never removed, and today it sits as a quiet reminder of the Napoleonic conflict that reached the city that year.
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