Was it merchants and seafarers who inspired its very name? Welcome to the Dom St. Nikolai in Greifswald. This towering church is not just a building. It is a symbol of Greifswald. The Dom St. Nikolai stands tall. It has a rich history and a vibrant present.
Back in the thirteenth century the story of Dom St. Nikolai began. It started as a hall church. In the fourteenth century, it grew into a basilica. Its medieval brick gothic style reflects centuries of history. The height of Dom St. Nikolai is almost 100 meters. It makes it the highest building in Greifswald.
The name of Dom St. Nikolai comes from Nicholas of Myra. He is the patron saint of seafarers and merchants. This made St. Nikolai popular in northern coastal regions. Locals call it “Long Nicholas” because of its tall tower. Together with St. Marien and St. Jacobi, it shapes Greifswald’s skyline.
In 1456 the University of Greifswald was founded in Dom St. Nikolai. Today, the university still celebrates important events here. Matriculation and university services find their place within these walls. The Dom St. Nikolai is closely tied to the University of Greifswald. The founding celebration occurred here. A contract was made between the university, the chapter, and the city council. This secured mutual support. University documents were stored in Dom St. Nikolai.
Before 1300, St. Nikolai became a provostry. This gave it more importance than other churches. By 1395, clergy could wear the biretta in St. Nikolai. This was a privilege usually for higher clergy. In 1531, Johannes Knipstro gave the first Protestant sermon in St. Nikolai. The last Catholic mass was held shortly after.
In 1631, King Gustav Adolf of Sweden arrived in Greifswald. A bronze tablet marks this event by one of the south portals. From 1648, Greifswald was part of Swedish Pomerania. The Dom St. Nikolai was its spiritual center. Czar Peter I visited the Dom St. Nikolai in 1712.
The Dom St. Nikolai has lost its tower twice in storms. In 1515, the 60-meter-high top collapsed. This destroyed the roof and part of the vault. Three people died during a sermon. In 1650, another storm knocked down the rebuilt tower. Again, it damaged the roof and vaults. Generous donors helped rebuild the tower. Queen Christina of Sweden also contributed. In 1652, they built a new tower top. It used a Dutch Baroque style to better resist storms.
The east facade is decorated. It has small towers and a roof rider. A long window reaches up to the gable. The portal is framed with glazed bricks. Inside Dom St. Nikolai there are medieval paintings. They were uncovered during renovations in the 1980s.
The Rubenow Tafel is a late medieval panel painting. It shows Greifswald and Rostock professors. Heinrich Rubenow, a founder of the University of Greifswald, is also depicted. The professors hold scrolls. The painting is an early depiction of a group of scholars.
The Dom St. Nikolai has seven bells. The St. Nicholas bell broke in 1755. It was recast in 1856. The bells have seen much. They have been melted down in wars and replaced. Today, they ring out across Greifswald.
In 1989, Dom St. Nikolai was a place of hope for social change. Erich Honecker, the DDR leader, visited the Dom St. Nikolai. This was his last major appearance before his resignation. In 2024, Ólafur Elíasson created a new east window for the Dom St. Nikolai. The window’s colors were inspired by Caspar David Friedrich’s paintings.
So, as you stand before Dom St. Nikolai remember its long history. Think of the merchants, the storms, and the scholars. The Dom St. Nikolai is more than just a church. It is a living story of Greifswald.