St. Nicholas' Church

View of St. Nicholas Church (German: Nikolaikirche) in Berlin-Mitte.

The Nikolaikirche in Berlin-Mitte is one of the oldest preserved churches in Berlin. Located in the historic Nikolai quarter in Berlin-Mitte, it serves as a museum and concert hall today.

St. Nicholas Church (German: Nikolaikirche) in the Berlin-Mitte district is one of the oldest surviving churches in Berlin and is a designated historic landmark. Built between 1230 and 1250, its initially asymmetrical single-tower façade shaped the city’s skyline until the 19th century.

Architectural history of St. Nicholas Church

Over time, the church underwent numerous structural changes. The so-called Marienkapelle was not built until 1452, and shortly thereafter the nave took on its present appearance. It was not until the late 19th century, as part of a restoration project, that the twin-tower façade - which still stands today - was erected. The church was reduced to its foundation walls by fighting at the end of World War II and initially remained a ruin. As part of Berlin’s 750th anniversary celebrations in 1987, it was completely rebuilt between 1980 and 1987.

Museum in St. Nicholas Church

Today, the church serves as a museum. The permanent exhibition provides information on the architectural and ecclesiastical history of St. Nicholas Church in Berlin and commemorates the notable figures who were active there. Topics covered by the museum at St. Nicholas’ Church include, for example, "Funeral Culture in the Church – The Pantheon of Berliners," "Lost and Rediscovered – The Coin Hoard from the Spire," and "Searching for Traces – Early Berlin City History." Among the museum’s highlights are the Beyer Crypt, the coin hoard and the funerary monuments. Concerts are also held at St. Nicholas Church on a regular basis.

St. Nicholas Church Information

• Address:
  Nikolaikirchplatz 1
  10178 Berlin
  City map
• Phone: [phone]
• Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Accessibility: Orientation aids for visually impaired and blind people.
• Admission Fee:
  €7, combi-ticket €15, free admission for children under 18 years of age. The combi-ticket is valid on two consecutive days for the Museum Ephraim-Palais, the Museum Nikolaikirche and the Museum Knoblauchhaus.