St. Michael's Church in Hamburg

St Michael’s Church is one of Hamburg’s landmarks

Image: Hamsterkiste

1 - When ships on the Elbe head for the Port of Hamburg, sailors can spot a distinctive church tower from afar: the tower of St. Michael’s Church. It stands in Hamburg’s Neustadt district, not far from the port and the St. Pauli Piers.

2 - The church is often called the “Hamburg Michel”. It is named after the Archangel Michael, who is depicted in a large statue above the main entrance. St. Michaelis is one of Hamburg’s five main churches, all of which hold Lutheran services.

3 - The present building was constructed in 1912. It was a reconstruction of a building whose construction had begun in 1751. However, this church burned down to its foundations in July 1906. The roof caught fire during soldering work on the church tower. The first church building on this site had been struck by lightning on 10 March 1750 and was also completely destroyed. 

4 - Much of what you see in the church today reflects the wealth of the city and some of its residents. The cross-shaped interior is defined by white and gold. A golden relief depicting Jesus and his disciples at the Last Supper hangs above the altar. The altar, pulpit and baptismal font are made of marble, and the church has five valuable organs. The clock in the church tower is eight metres in diameter, making it the largest clock on a church building in Germany. The front pews are wider and more comfortable than those at the back; they are reserved for special guests at formal ceremonies and memorial services.

5 - One special feature is the crypt beneath the church, which was built as part of the second church in 1751. Burial places were created in a vault beneath the church and sold to wealthy people in return for donations. This helped cover some of the costs. The names of 2,425 people buried in the crypt are still known today, including the composer Carl Phillip Emanuel Bach.

6 - St. Michael’s Church can accommodate more than 2,500 people, making it the largest church in Hamburg. Its tower is clad in copper plates and stands 132 meters tall. An observation deck at a height of 83 meters can be reached by elevator or by climbing a total of 452 steps. From here, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the city of Hamburg, its harbor and the Elbe.

7 - Every day, a tower trumpeter plays chorales from the tower. This happens at 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays, and at noon on Sundays.  In the past, this was the signal to open and close the city gates. The gates have long since disappeared, but this tradition still reminds us that we stand on what has grown over the centuries.