St. Michaelis Church, Hamburg (must see)

Saint Michaelis, known locally as “Michel,” is one of Hamburg’s five main Lutheran churches and one of the city’s best-known landmarks. Unlike many older churches in Hamburg, it was built specifically as a Protestant church.

Standing outside the main entrance, take a look above the central portal. You’ll see a large bronze sculpture of the Archangel Michael defeating the devil. Then step back and look up at the 132-meter clock tower, covered in copper and long used as a landmark for ships approaching along the Elbe.

A church has stood here since 1647. The present Baroque building was completed in 1786, then rebuilt after a major fire in 1906 and repaired again following World War II damage.

Once inside, walk toward the center aisle and look straight ahead. At the far end of the nave stands the huge marble altar, about 20 meters tall, adorned with scenes from the life of Jesus.

As you face the altar, look to the right side of the nave for the elaborate marble pulpit, reached by a curved staircase. Nearby, look for the white marble baptismal font, shaped like a seashell. Composer Johannes Brahms was baptized here in 1833.

Saint Michaelis is the largest church in Hamburg and can seat around 2,500 people. Before leaving the main church, take a moment to look back toward the entrance for a broader view of the bright white-and-gold Baroque interior.

Next, follow the signs for the crypt and head downstairs. The large vaulted crypt contains more than 2,000 burial chambers. It was also used as a shelter during World War II and today hosts occasional concerts and church services.

Finally, follow the signs for the tower. You can take the elevator or use the stairs to reach the observation platform, 106 meters above ground. From the platform, walk around for panoramic views over Hamburg. Look toward the Elbe for the harbor and docks, and toward the city center for Hamburg’s rooftops and skyline.