St. Nicolaikirche

St. Nicolaikirche is a Romanesque church in Lemgo with two distinctive towers and Gothic elements, located near the marketplace between the town hall and Mittelstrasse. The building features a cruciform layout shaped by several architectural expansions, with interiors displaying an ornate altar and numerous historical epitaphs.

Construction of St. Nicolaikirche began around 1190 as a cruciform basilica and evolved through the 14th century by successive expansions to its present form. These gradual changes over two centuries reflected the growing importance and prosperity of the town throughout the medieval period.

The church bears the name of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of merchants and travelers whose veneration was especially strong in trading towns during the Middle Ages. Visitors today can see the medieval bells and carefully crafted epitaphs that speak to the deep connection between this building and the local community over the centuries.

Access to the church is straightforward from the marketplace, and the interior spaces are easy to navigate even though the building has a complex structure with towers and multiple sections. Keep in mind that this is an active place of worship where opening times may vary.

The southern tower is topped with a twisted spire covered in lead that weighs around 17 tons, making it an unusual architectural feature. The northern tower belonged to the city and served as a watchroom until the mid 1800s, showing how church towers sometimes had practical functions beyond religious purposes.