St. Nicholas church, Gothic church in Rostock, Germany

St. Nicholas church is a Brick Gothic hall church begun in 1230 on a fieldstone base, with a square west tower added in the 15th century. Its nave has pointed-arched windows between brick buttresses and a green metal roof partly covered with solar panels. Inside, slender white columns carry pointed arches with dark red and green bands, and three tall lancet windows with stained glass stand above a shallow white altar reached by four dark brown steps.

The church was first mentioned in records dating to 1257 and was consecrated in 1312. During World War II, British air raids caused severe damage to the tower and interior, leaving lasting scars on the structure.

The church is named after Saint Nicholas, patron of fishermen and seafarers. Since 1974 it has no longer served as a parish church; it is run as the "Kirchliches Zentrum Nikolaikirche" and rented out for events, mostly concerts. Services are held only at fixed dates such as Christmas and Reformation Day. The organ, built in 1971 by Gerhard Schmid for a church in Rummelsberg, Bavaria, was moved here and dedicated on 21 April 2002.

The church is located in the city center of Rostock and is easily accessible on foot from the main streets. Visiting hours vary by season and special events, so it is best to check ahead for current opening times.

Beneath the church nave lies a crypt containing the sarcophagi of Casimir Albrecht von Moltke and his wife Johanna von Wilken. This hidden burial chamber is often overlooked by visitors walking above.