This amazing temple with a difficult fate, which is currently in ruins, is a memorial to the Second World War. The religious monument has become a place of pilgrimage for millions of tourists, paying tribute to its victims. One of the main attractions of the city, seriously damaged in 1943, makes a shocking impression.
A bit of history
The first building of the Church of St. Nicholas in Hamburg appeared in 1195. The wooden structure, erected in honor of the patron saint of all travelers and sailors, stood until the middle of the XIII century. It was a small chapel where fishermen going to sea lit candles and prayed for a good catch.
Later it was rebuilt, and before the eyes of the parishioners a spacious brick structure appeared, made in the so-called hall style, in which the side and central naves were the same height. And soon a bell tower with a sharp spire appeared on a 22-meter building. The church, which became the real pride of the city, attracted a lot of merchants from Europe who came to see with their own eyes an amazing architectural miracle, containing more than one and a half thousand parishioners.
In 1842, the Church of St. Nicholas in Hamburg burned down, and in its place the construction of a new neo-Gothic religious monument began. The project was carried out by the English architect D. G. Scott. The work went rather slowly, but the new building, which was different from the rest of the churches, made a huge impression on the townspeople. In 1863, it opened its doors to parishioners, and a bell tower more than 147 meters high was completed for another 17 years. And at that time the tower was the highest building in the world.
Description of the new temple
The cult building made of yellow brick, the facade of which was decorated with bizarre sandstone sculptures, evoked admiration. The vaults of the St. Nicholas Church in Hamburg reached a height of 28 meters, and windows with stained glass windows with scenes from the life of Jesus Christ - 19 meters.
Powerful slender columns connected with lancet arches, which was a sign of early Gothic architecture. The interior of the temple was richly decorated, and the main value was represented by sculptures of 12 apostles decorating the choir - an open gallery, where the singing staff was located.
Thanks to its architecture, the stately-looking St. Nicholas Church in Hamburg, whose history is considered in the article, was recognized as one of the best examples of the Middle Ages.
Ruined church
In 1943, Anglo-American forces bombed the city, and during one bombardment the temple was almost destroyed. Only the frame of the central nave and the high tower, which served as a guide for air raids, have survived. The Church of St. Nicholas in Hamburg continued to collapse, since work on its restoration was not undertaken.
The authorities considered unsafe the repair of the temple, which the locals nicknamed "burnt" for its black color, left behind by flames, and in 1962 the church community moved to the Harvestehud area.
War Memorial
In the 80s of the last century, the Salvation Church of St. Nicholas in Hamburg was created. With the funds raised, the tower is being reconstructed, as a result of which it has become safe for visitors to visit, and the bell tower 147.3 meters high is declared a national monument. In 1993, the temple turns into a memorial, and bells are installed at its very top.
The city attraction consists of a surviving tower and ruins left over from the church. The ruins serve as a reminder of the consequences of the largest armed conflict in human history. The dark silhouette of the horror symbol of a terrible war is adjacent to gloomy sculptures telling about the greatest tragedy, about loss and despair, pain and fear.
The most concise monument of World War II
In the basement is the museum of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Hamburg. It presents a rich collection of materials telling about the difficult history of the temple and its destruction. And also each guest will be able to attend a permanent exhibition called "Gomorrah 1943", dedicated to the destruction of not only the church, but the whole city after the bombing.
Carillon is installed on the tower - a mechanical device containing more than 50 bells. And in 1993, a melodious bell ringing sounded, evoking a sense of grace.
At an altitude of about 75 meters is an observation deck with stunning views of the city. Tourists to the top of the tower delivers a special elevator with glass walls, launched 13 years ago, and the roofs of Hamburg are at their feet.
On the territory of the memorial, sculptures by the German artist E. Brekvoldt are installed, reflecting the pain of loss. A mother praying for her child, a heartbroken man sitting on ruins, and a nude female figure reborn from the ashes with her right hand raised up is a reminder that people do not forget about the tragedy that happened more than 75 years ago.
Restoration work
Currently, St. Nicholas Church in Hamburg is the second tallest building in the city (after the television tower) and the fourth in the world. In March last year, the restoration of the memorial was completed, which lasted several years.
A huge stone weighing about 10 tons fell onto the sidewalk from the masonry of the bell tower, and only by a lucky coincidence everything was without casualties. City authorities drew attention to the "age" building, requiring urgent repair. More than 15 million euros have been spent on work that has already been completed, and now the memorial opens a new page in its history.
Where is the memorial and its opening hours
A memorable symbol of World War II can be found in the Old Town (Altstadt) - the oldest part of Hamburg, which is a favorite tourist destination, 700 meters from the Town Hall Square. Its address is 60 Willy-Brandt-Straße. A city attraction is located next to the Rödingsmarkt Underground Station (line U3).
The memorial complex is open daily from 10.00 to 17.00 hours (in summer - until 18.00). You can visit it for free, but in order to climb to the observation deck, you will have to buy a ticket worth 5 euros / 325 rubles.
Visitors reviews
Despite the black tint, the sophistication of the architecture of St. Nicholas Church in Hamburg has not disappeared. A gothic spire with a golden cross directed to heaven attracts the attention of tourists who have an imagination at the sight of the tower’s dark soot.
Someone represents a huge fish bone gnawed by an unknown monster, and traces of the fire only increase the gloom of the ruins warning about the dangers of armed conflict. And someone sees in the middle of a picturesque garden a black cemetery cross of a unique memorial dedicated to those who burnt innocently in the fire of war.
The ruins of wartime, according to tourists, is an emotional reminder of the tragedy. The memorial complex is a view of the war from those who unleashed it, and then lost it. I would like to believe that humanity has nevertheless learned to learn from the past.