The oldest of the three parish churches is the monumental St. Nikolai church, located at the old marketplace. With its two impressive organs, made by Buchholz and Schuke, the church belongs to the most beautiful sacral building in northern Europe.
"The building was first mentioned in the town register in 1276 and is dedicated to the patron saint of sailors, St. Nicholas. The church was initially probably a simple hall with a tower. Due to Stralsund's rapid rise to become an important maritime trading city, it was converted into a basilica with an imposing double tower in the 14th century. Built as a three-aisled basilica with an ambulatory, it has a total length of 87 meters. The choice of this elaborate cathedral type of building in a region where hall churches were common is evidence of the claim to power that the city council wanted to express as the client.
The helmets that once adorned the towers fell victim to a devastating fire in 1662. As a result, the south tower was given the baroque dome in 1667, giving the church a height of 103 meters, and the north tower the so-called emergency roof. In the following centuries, the copper roof and parts of the masonry were replaced. Inside, numerous art treasures from different centuries have been preserved. One of the oldest art treasures in the Nikolaikirche is the almost two and a half meter high, stucco monumental sculpture "Anna Selbdritt", one of the most important large sculptures in the Baltic region at the time. Some of the former 56 altars are still preserved, including the Gothic high altar, the Baroque separating altar designed by Andreas Schlüter and the pulpit from 1611. The altars of the Bergenfahrer and the Novgorodfahrer bear witness to the lively maritime trade in the days of the Hanseatic League. The astronomical clock from 1394 is one of the few surviving examples of this type of clock.
Conservation fee for viewing: €3
From Monday to Saturday for adults (up to 18 years free); no maintenance fee on Sundays
The church is freely accessible for personal prayer or lighting a candle.
Guided tours:
- Public guided tours (free of charge, a donation is requested):
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm (May to October); subject to change - Audio guide (German tour for adults and children; tour in English for adults)
- Individual guided tours can be arranged at any time, prices on request.
(Tel. 03831-292286 / e-mail: hst-nikolai-kirche@pek.de) - Special guided tours:
Christmas depictions on the altarpieces
December 3 and 4 at 12 noon; registration is not required.
