Memorial of St. Nikolai (tower and museum)

Hamburg

Carillon in the ruined tower of Memorial St Nikolai

A place of remembrance: the St Nikolai memorial and museum

The St. Nikolai Memorial commemorates the destruction of Hamburg during the Second World War. The preserved church tower with its viewing platform and the impressive exhibition in the vault bring history to life – a quiet place of remembrance with a moving effect.

Highlights

Why you shouldn't miss this attraction

Hamburg’s central memorial site for the time of the bombings of Hamburg in July and August 1943 in the context of the National Socialist tyranny of the years 1933-1945 

Viewing platform at a height of 76 metres with barrier-free panoramic lift

Tower carillon with 51 bells

Museum with the exhibition "Gomorrah 1943 – The destruction of Hamburg in the air war" 

Gallery

Tower of the St Nikolai Memorial with gothic architecture

An interactive exhibition element at the Memorial St Nikolai Museum

View of the gothic entrance of the Memorial St Nikolai

Historic ruins of St Nikolai Church in Hamburg

Exhibition room with information panels at the Memorial St Nikolai

What awaits you on site

What does war mean? You can see it at this historical site

During the air raids of the Second World War, the former main church of St Nikolai was largely destroyed. Only the tower, some outer walls and the vaulted cellar still stand and today form the St Nikolai memorial. This is a central place of remembrance for the bombing of Hamburg during the Second World War. The glass panorama lift takes you to the viewing platform at a height of 76 metres in the old church tower.

In the vaulted cellar of the ruins, the permanent exhibition provides an insight into the eventful history of St Nikolai and provides information about the heavy bombing raids during the Second World War. At the centre of the exhibition is "Operation Gomorrah", during which Hamburg was bombed almost non-stop for several days and nights in the summer of 1943, 34,000 people died and entire districts were completely destroyed.

A carillon of 51 bells

A musical highlight is the tower carillon, which was installed in the tower in 1993. It comprises 51 bells, which can be played by hand or via an automatic chime. Every Thursday at 12 noon, there is a free half-hour live concert that can be heard in the square of the former nave.