St. Nikolai Kirche/St. Nicholas Church was built in the 12th century, its bell tower the tallest in Hamburg standing at 147.3 meters/483 feet. It was destroyed by the Great Fire in 1842 and rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style between 1845 and 1874, based on designs by the London architect, George Gilbert Scott. During WW II, the church was severely damaged in the air-raids of July, 1943, leaving only the spire, the choir, and parts of the nave. There was never a plan to rebuild the church on its original site, but another St. Nicholas church was built in the Harvesthude district of Hamburg in the  mid-1950’s. The ruins of this original church were listed as an historic monument in the 1960‘s. The church gradually became a memorial at the suggestion of the Lutheran Bishop of Hamburg, Hans-Otto Wölber. In 1973/74, a black and white version of “Ecco Homo” by the artist Oscar Kokoschka was laid in the ruins, while a colorful version of the same piece was installed in the new St. Nicholas Church in Harvesthude. The ruins of the church officially opened as a memorial in 1987. A commemorative plaque was installed in honor of the victims of the WW II air-raids on Hamburg. During WWII, the pilots of the Allied forces used this tower, the highest tower in the city of Hamburg, as a landmark for navigation. On the night of the air-raids in July, 1943, the spire became a beacon for the bomber squadrons.

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1.2. & 3. Three views of St. Nikolas Kirche, with only parts of the nave and the bell tower remaining. The church was severely destroyed during WWII air raids in July, 1943.  Middle Column: 1. View of the bell tower of St. Nikolas Kirche. At 143.7 meters/483 foot height, it is the tallest in Hamburg. 2. Bronze sculpture, 2004  entitled Prüfung/The Ordeal by the German artist Edith Breckwoldt. A plaque that accompanies the sculpture states: “No man in the world can change the truth. One can only look for the truth, find it, and serve it. The truth is in all places.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Right Column: 1. View of Hamburg as seen from the bell tower. 2. Ruins of the nave of St. Nikolas Kirche, the installation site for the sculpture Prüfung/The Ordeal. 3. The outdoor altar and installation of the black and white version of the mosaic entitled “Ecco Homo” by the artist Oscar Kokoschka (1886-1980).

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                        BACK TO MAP  PAGE