St. Nikolai, Greifswald, Gothic cathedral in Greifswald, Germany
St. Nikolai in Greifswald is a brick church distinguished by its red facade and baroque tower on the western side of the Hanseatic city. The structure rises nearly 100 meters high and houses one of the region's largest church libraries.
The church's first documented mention dates to 1280, but it gained its current importance in 1456 when it was consecrated as a cathedral and the University of Greifswald was founded. This event made it the spiritual center of the city for centuries to come.
The cathedral has been tied to the University of Greifswald since its consecration and still serves as a venue for academic celebrations like student matriculation ceremonies. It shapes city life as a gathering place and hosts community events.
Visitors can climb a staircase of about 260 steps to reach an observation gallery at roughly 60 meters high. On clear days, the view extends across the city and out to Rügen Island.
The church houses a library with medieval manuscripts and early printed books that have been open to the public since 2012. This collection is a rare treasure that many visitors overlook.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
