It’s easy to believe that this pile of ruins was once one of the most impressive neo-Gothic churches in Germany. You can get a sense of its scope and grandeur while standing in the ruined structure’s footprint and looking up, up, up at the amazingly high spire.
The current St. Nikolai only stood for about one hundred years before being destroyed in WWII air raids. It had a (very) short-lived run as the tallest building in the world from 1874-1876.
The original St. Nikolai was constructed in the 12th century as a wooden chapel dedicated to St. Nicholas, patron saint of sailors. In the 14th century, a three-nave red brick church replaced the original, only to be destroyed in the 1842 fire. With little delay, the most recent structure was completed. Thanks to the newly completed Köln dom, there was a Gothic revival sweeping Germany, so St. Nikolai’s architectural style was mostly French and English Gothic with a traditional German pointed spire. Then, well, you know the rest.
In addition to having been one of Hamburg’s five Lutheran churches, it’s still the second-tallest structure in Hamburg.
The ruins remain as part of an anti-war memorial, whose main exhibit is underground.
St. Nikolai, Hamburg, Germany
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