Higher. Prettier. Older.
While the various parts of the city are developing at a rapid pace, it seems that the churches in Hamburg are defying all changes. They are witnesses of the past, places of faith and landmarks of our city. The churches in Hamburg today are no longer just places of prayer or refuge. They exert a unique fascination that spellbinds both Hamburgers and their guests. If you stand in front of one of these majestic as well as old churches in Hamburg, you suddenly become aware of the true greatness. Only when you climb the up to 147 metre high towers does it become really dizzying. But it's worth the effort: from nowhere else in Hamburg can you enjoy such a clear and far-ranging view over the city.
The ascent to the viewing platform is a must for every visit to Hamburg.
St. Michael's - the "Michel" is probably the most famous church in Hamburg. As a baroque church of the poor, the building has an eventful past: the Michel was badly damaged by major fires in the city in 1750 and 1906. The Second World War also left its mark on Hamburg's Michel. But the people of Hamburg rebuilt their landmark again and again. Today it is a worldwide symbol of freedom in the Hanseatic city.
In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Mönckebergstraße stands one of Hamburg's oldest buildings.
In the St. Petri church, unlike the other churches in Hamburg, it is possible to climb 544 steps to below the 123 metre high spire. From here, visitors can marvel through porthole-like windows in all directions of the city. St. Peter's Church is the oldest main church in the city and still attracts parishioners from all over the city. In former times it was mainly a house of prayer for the rich.
The simple church building conceals rich art treasures inside.
St. Jacob's impresses with its combination of medieval church building and modern church tower. In the beginning it was not even part of the city. Only after the enlargement of Hamburg in 1260 did it become a church in Hamburg. The renovation of the modern church tower lasted until 1962 because it had been badly bombed in the Second World War. However, the numerous art treasures inside the church are among its special highlights.
Modern, unique, striking. The new Nikolai Church.
Of the former highest building in the world, only the church tower remains today: the St. Nikolai Memorial. The former church, built in neo-Gothic style, was so badly destroyed that reconstruction was not possible for financial reasons. Today, the memorial commemorates the victims of the Second World War. St. Nikolai in Hamburg Harvestehude was rebuilt as the new main church.
Distinctly recognizable from afar: The golden crown of St. Catherine's Church.
You can recognize it by its window-like culverts: St. Catherine's in HafenCity. The church was built on 1,100 larch trunks in the middle of a dyked marsh island. The crown at the tip of the church makes the St. Katharinen church unmistakable; according to some legends, it comes from the lost treasure of the buccaneer and pirate Klaus Störtebecker. St. Katharine's is regarded as the church of shipbuilders and merchants in Hamburg.
Of the fifth-highest church in the world, only the tower stands today - a reminder for future generations.
Hamburg's churches have endured much over the centuries. The Great Fire of 1842 destroyed a third of Hamburg's old town and the former St. Nikolai Church. Where today the memorial St. Nikolai stands, the citizens of Hamburg fought against the flames and lost. During the Second World War, it was bombed by the British. Today the new St. Nikolai stands in Harvestehude, whereas the St. Nikolai memorial can be visited by interested visitors.
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