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St. Nicholas Church, Leipzig

The St. Nicholas Church (German: Nikolaikirche) is one of the major churches of central Leipzig, Germany (in Leipzig's district Mitte). Construction started in Romanesque style in 1165, but in the 16th century, the church was turned into a Gothic hall church. Baroque elements like the tower were added in the 18th century.

St. Nicholas Church

Germany

c. 1165

1,400+

In the 18th century, several works by Johann Sebastian Bach, who was as Thomaskantor the music director of Thomaskirche and Nikolaikirche from 1723 to 1750, premiered here. The Neoclassical interior dates to the late 18th century.


The church rose to national fame in 1989 with the Monday Demonstrations when it became the centre of peaceful revolt against communist rule. By capacity, it is one of the largest churches in Saxony.

Description[edit]

Organ[edit]

The church organ was built by Friedrich Ladegast in 1862 with four manuals and 83 stops. Its renovated from mechanical (tracker) action to pneumatic action in the early 20th century by Wilhem Sauer.[3] 2004 Eule Organbuilding (Bautzen) rebuilt the organ to mechanical key action, reconstructed losted stops and added a 5th manual. Now the organ has 103 stops, included the 83 Ladegast-stops. It is the largest organ in Saxony.

Today[edit]

The current pastor for the church is Bernhard Stief.


Nikolaikirche has a capacity of over 1,400 seats.[1]

Architecture of Leipzig - Romanesque and Gothic

St. Nicholas Church Square

St. Nicholas Church official website