St. Nikolai (Hamburg)

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St. Nikolai's Church (German: St.-Nikolai-Kirche) was formerly one of the five Lutheran Hauptkirchen ("main churches") in the city of Hamburg. It is now in ruins, a memorial and an important architectural sight of the city. When Hamburgers mention the "Nikolaikirche", it is generally this church that is meant, and not the new Hauptkirche of St. Nikolai which is located in the Harvestehude district.

The church was the tallest building in the world from 1847 to 1876 and is still the tallest standard building in Hamburg.

The current condition of the Nikolaikirche is the result of air attacks during World War II.

History

Older Structures

With the founding of the Nikolai settlement and a harbor on the Alster in the 11th century, a chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas, patron saint of sailors, was erected. This wood building was the second church in Hamburg, after the Cathedral of Hamburg.

In 1335, some years before the onslaught of the Black Death, construction on a new brick building began. The structure was to be a hall church in the typical North German Brick Gothic style. This building stood until the middle of the 19th century, eventhough it was changed and expanded -- and had to withstand destruction -- several times. The tower, which was erected in 1517, burnt down in 1589. The new tower built to replace it collapsed in 1644. The last tower of the old Nikolai church was designed by Peter Marquadt. The Marquardt tower was 122 meters high and with its characteristic dome a landmark of the city and jewel of its skyline.

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