Church of St. Nicholas, Hamburg

The Church of St. Nicolas was originally built in 1195. A brick building replaced the wooden structure during the 14th century.

The Church of St. Nicholas was the center of many theological debates during the Reformation. Conservative council members were concerned about the new wave of Lutheran ministers; however, the Reformation in Hamburg was peaceful. Johannes Bugenhagen, a Lutheran minister, became St. Nicholas's preacher in 1528.

The Church of St. Nicolas was one of the first public buildings to burn in Hamburg's catastrophic 1842 Great Fire. After the fire, the church was rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style. From 1874 to 1876, the rebuilt church with its 147-meter-high (483-foot) tower was the tallest building in the world.

Unfortunately, World War II bombs weakened the church's structure. Hamburg decided to demolish most of the church instead of attempting reconstruction. Today, the crypt and spired tower remain. An elevator was installed in 2005 and takes visitors to a 75-meter-tall (247-foot) viewing platform. The platform overlooks Hamburg's city center, the Alster lakes, and the port.

Guests can visit the WWII museum in the church's crypt. The museum offers different interactive displays that show the war's destruction and reconstruction.