St. Nicholas Church in Potsdam

Imposing building on the Old Market Square in Potsdam
Address: St. Nicholas Church, Am Alten Markt, 14467 Potsdam | Built: from 1830 | Architectural style: Neoclassical | Height: 77 m

St. Nicholas Church is a unique building in Potsdam. It stands in the heart of the city and boasts a distinctive neoclassical architecture. The sacred building is a listed building. The name St. Nicholas is derived from Saint Nicholas. The church’s high dome, which rises high above the rooftops of Potsdam, immediately catches the eye.
The church, built according to plans by Karl Friedrich Schinkel between 1830 and 1837, has a turbulent history and was severely damaged during air raids on Potsdam. It took many years to rebuild the church, restoring its former beauty and returning it to the Protestant parish of St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas Church is today a special attraction in Potsdam, with its observation deck offering an impressive view of the city from above.

Directions and location of this Potsdam landmark

St. Nicholas Church, also known simply as St. Nicholas Church, is a neoclassical building located on the Old Market Square and surrounded by other historic buildings. Its distinctive domed roof design can be seen from all directions and draws visitors directly into the heart of Potsdam.
Directly opposite is the impressive State Parliament building. Its architecture is modeled on the former Potsdam City Palace and therefore blends perfectly with the historic buildings. On one side, the block is bordered by the street Am Alten Markt, while on the opposite side, Alter Markt is located. Other streets that define the area are Kanalstraße and Humboldtstraße.

Opening Hours and Tours

St. Nicholas Church has different opening hours on each day of the week, during which the sacred building can be visited.

St. Nicholas Church in Potsdam Opening Hours
Monday:
9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday:
9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday:
9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday:
9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday:
9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday:
9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday:
11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Different opening hours apply on religious holidays, and on some days, such as Christmas Eve, tours are not possible.

Observation Deck Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday:
9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday:
11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
In the summer, visitors can also access the observation deck in the evenings to enjoy the magnificent panoramic view as the sun sets.

Admission Prices for St. Nicholas Church

Visitors are free to view the interior of the church. A ticket for climbing the tower costs €5 per person. Tickets are available from the ticket machine on the first gallery.

Guided Tours of St. Nicholas Church

There are no regular guided tours of St. Nicholas Church. However, the church district occasionally offers special tours as part of events such as “On the Road in Potsdam Mitte” and are part of a specific program. Participation in these tours is free of charge.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about St. Nicholas Church in Potsdam

When was St. Nicholas Church in Potsdam built?
St. Nicholas Church in Potsdam, a central building in the neoclassical style, was built between 1830 and 1837 according to plans by Karl Friedrich Schinkel and is dedicated to St. Nicholas.

Is St. Nicholas Church Protestant or Catholic?
St. Nicholas Church in Potsdam is a Protestant church.

How tall is St. Nicholas Church?
The exact height of St. Nicholas Church in Potsdam is approximately 78 meters (topmost point of the cross). The observation deck is located at a height of almost 42 meters.

Can weddings or baptisms be celebrated in St. Nicholas Church?
Yes, both weddings and baptisms can be celebrated in St. Nicholas Church in Potsdam. As a Protestant church, it offers these religious ceremonies for members of the congregation and other believers. Interested parties should contact the parish or parish office of St. Nicholas Church directly for further information about the ceremonies and to plan them.

St. Nicholas Church – Special Features and Interesting Facts

The architecture of St. Nicholas Church on the market square, in the heart of Potsdam, is reminiscent of the former city palace. The imposing building with its domed roof towers above the buildings adjacent to the market square and is impossible to miss. The bright interior of the church is adorned with three galleries, a special feature of Protestant churches.
Inside, the murals behind the altar draw all eyes. Another eye-catcher is the pulpit, located to the right of the altar. It is definitely worth taking a closer look to discover special details on the columns and in the church interior.
An absolute highlight is the observation deck of St. Nicholas Church, which can be reached via 216 steps and is located at a height of 42 meters. Upon reaching the first gallery of the spiral staircase, there is a fantastic view of the church’s interior.

The stairs leading to the observation deck are quite narrow. Anyone who overcomes this part of the spiral staircase can now walk around the dome and is rewarded with a spectacular view of the unique buildings.
From above, the historic center and the former extent of the city can be explored in all directions. The angels on the towers are a great photo opportunity; they can be in the foreground in a photo, thus adding a special character to the image.
Those who already have a little background knowledge will see Potsdam with completely different eyes from the observation deck of St. Nicholas Church, because they also capture the abundance of greenery, the vibrancy, and the open design of the city.

Historical Facts and History of St. Nicholas Church

On the site where St. Nicholas Church in Potsdam stands today, the first church in Potsdam, dating back to the 13th century, stood. The former church dates back to the time of its founding and burned down almost completely in 1795.
In 1800, the reconstruction of St. Nicholas Church was planned. The designs for the building were created by the architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel and his students August Stüler and Ludwig Persius. Construction of the new church began in 1828.
The church’s floor plan is shaped like a Greek cross. The cross arms were extended by adding semicircular apses. The main portal of the church resembles an ancient temple, with its roof supported by columns.

Also striking are the Corinthian colonnades, which are solemnly visible far beyond the city’s horizon. The building’s structure, with its subdivided attic, appears to effortlessly support the dome that soars into the sky. At the very top of the dome is a lantern-like spire. This is adorned with a golden cross placed on a globe, rising 77 meters into the air.
St. Nicholas Church was severely damaged during World War II. After the extensive damage was repaired, the church was reconsecrated as a place of worship for the third time in 1981. Since then, regular Protestant services and other events such as concerts have been held in St. Nicholas Church.
The observation deck was built on the colonnade in 2010 and is located at a height of 42 meters. Visitors can walk around the entire dome, enjoying a unique view in every direction and discovering special features of the city of Potsdam from a bird’s eye view.

Sights and attractions in the immediate vicinity of St. Nicholas Church

There’s plenty to discover and marvel at in the immediate vicinity of St. Nicholas Church.

A look around Am Markt (market square) reveals numerous lovingly restored historic buildings. One of them houses the Potsdam Museum – Forum for Art and History. It features exhibitions on the city’s thousand-year history, as well as art and culture.
Another museum near St. Nicholas Church is the Museum Barberini, located at Humboldtstrasse 5-6. The art museum displays international collections and exhibitions.
A stroll along the banks of the Havel River reveals unique statues. One statue, located at the “Alte Fahrt” (Old Waterway), is by Jörg Plickat and is called “Ambos Mundos – Two Worlds.” It is an abstract sculpture made of Corten steel.
Another sculpture can be discovered a little further along the Havel River. There stands the “Dynamic Space Sign II” by Otto Herbert Hajek. With his sculptures, made of concrete and steel, he wanted to make a special statement in urban design. Its geometric shape and the primary colors of blue, yellow, and red make the sculpture stand out clearly from the surrounding landscape.
Things get interesting at Steubenplatz. There, you’ll find the Wrestling Colonnade at the Lustgarten. They are a relic from a bygone era and served as the boundary between the Lustgarten and the City Palace.
It’s always worth exploring the surrounding area more closely while taking a walk around St. Nicholas Church, as there are many interesting and worthwhile sights to discover that aren’t immediately obvious.

Cafés and Restaurants Near St. Nicholas Church

Near St. Nicholas Church, you’ll find pleasant cafés and restaurants if you feel thirsty or hungry after a tour of St. Nicholas Church, a visit to the observation deck, and a stroll through the surrounding area. Sitting in a cozy atmosphere and being pampered is guaranteed.

Café Central is located at Am Alten Markt (Old Market Square) and has a cozy outdoor patio where, in good weather, you can enjoy delicious coffee specialties and a slice of cake with a view of old, beautifully restored buildings and St. Nicholas Church.
Address: Café Central, Am Alten Markt 9

Café Et cetera is located at Am Kanal (Canal) in the Potsdam City and State Library. The unique interior creates a cozy lounge atmosphere that invites you to linger. In summer, coffee specialties can also be enjoyed on the outdoor terrace. If you’re feeling hungry, you’ll surely enjoy a lovely selection of dishes and small plates like delicious quiches.
Address: Café Et cetera, Am Kanal 47

The Genusswerkstatt Potsdam, located on Breite Straße, offers guests sophisticated Italian cuisine. The menu includes antipasti, risotto, and delicious pasta. The dining rooms are located in the former orangery of the City Palace and exude a pleasantly cozy atmosphere.
Address: Genusswerkstatt Potsdam, Breite Straße 1A

The San Giorgio Eismanufaktur is located on Humboldtstraße and serves up special ice cream creations. If you’re craving delicious ice cream, a delicious espresso, or a cappuccino, the Eismanufaktur is the perfect place to sit comfortably and enjoy great ice cream creations.
Address: San Giorgio Eismanufaktur, Humboldtstraße 3