Did you know that the Nikolaikirche in Rostock has seen its fair share of history? Its story began around 1230. This makes it one of the oldest hall churches in the Baltic Sea area.
The Nikolaikirche got its name from Saint Nicholas. He is the patron saint of fishermen and sailors. The first mention of the Nikolaikirche was in 1257. But it was not consecrated until 1312.
Originally, the Nikolaikirche was built as a brick church. It had a fieldstone base. In the 15th century, they expanded it. They added the choir and a section to the nave. They also built the large square tower.
Interestingly, the choir had to be built high. This allowed a street to pass underneath. This underpass is called the Schwibbogen. You can still see it today. Above the Schwibbogen, there is a picture of Saint Nicholas. It overlooks the Rostock skyline.
The Nikolaikirche’s original tower was quite tall. It stood at 132 meters. It was taller than the nearby Petrikirche. However, a hurricane destroyed it in 1703. In 1706, a new tower was built with a baroque lantern.
Over the centuries, the Nikolaikirche saw changes. In 1942, during World War II, disaster struck. British bombs set the tower and nave ablaze. The roof of the nave collapsed. The beautiful baroque pulpit was destroyed. The medieval baptismal font made of pewter was also lost. Fortunately, some wood carvings and the high altar were saved. The restored high altar is now in the Marienkirche.
After the war, the Nikolaikirche faced an uncertain future. The church was heavily damaged. For a long time, it was unclear if it would be rebuilt.
In 1974, the St. Petri and St. Nikolai congregations merged. It was then decided to repurpose the Nikolaikirche. Reconstruction began in 1976. This was financed by a special church building program. Unusually, apartments were built in the reconstructed church roof. Offices for the church administration were also installed in the tower.
The Nikolaikirche reopened in 1994. A performance of Bach’s B Minor Mass celebrated the occasion. Since then, the Nikolaikirche has hosted services again. It also serves as a venue for concerts and events. Today, the Nikolaikirche is managed as a “Kirchliches Zentrum Nikolaikirche”.
The organ in the Nikolaikirche has an interesting story too. It was originally built in 1971 for a church in Bavaria. In 2002, it found a new home here in Rostock.
Also under the church is a vault. It contains the sarcophagi of Casimir Albrecht von Moltke and his wife.
Today, the Nikolaikirche stands as a testament to Rostock’s history. It is a place where people come together. Here they celebrate faith, art, and culture. Its walls have seen centuries pass. They have witnessed destruction and rebirth. The Nikolaikirche remains a symbol of resilience.