Built in 1165 in the Romanesque style after Leipzig was granted its town and market charter, the city's main church was always embraced by its burghers, who remodelled it as a Gothic place of worship in the 16th century. Its Romanesque origins are, however, still visible on its western side. At the end of the 18th century, the Classical interior was built as used today.
Open to all
The introduction of the Reformation in 1539, the appointment of Johann Sebastian Bach as Cantor in 1723, the prayers of peace in the autumn of 1989 and their key role in the lead-up to the Peaceful Revolution are just some mosaic pieces in the 850-year chronicle of this church, which has never wanted to be a monument, but instead aims to be a living part of the church and city community. Set in the centre of the city, the "St. Nikolai" city and parish church has always been a site of city goings-on, and been there for its people in a very special way; the maxim "open to all" has never been an empty promise. The prayers of peace which took place every Monday in the Nikolaikirche during the 1980s brought people together whatever their religious denomination.
Year of celebrations started on St. Nicholas' Day
On the day of St. Nicholas, 6 December, the church community launched the year of celebrations with a special service led by Bishop Jochen Bohl of the Saxon Regional Lutheran Church. An initial week of festivities in May 2015 will offer a chance to explore the anniversary slogan "Seek the peace of the city"; visitors will be given the chance to travel through time, for example at the parish festival at the Nikolaikirche churchyard, with a musical of the story of Jonah.
Highlights of the year of celebrations
6 December 2014
10 a.m. Celebratory service
5 p.m. Advent concert to launch the year of celebrations marking 850 years of the Nikolaikirche
20 December 2014
J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio
18-21 February 2015
Children's Bible festival
10 March 2015
The exhibition "The St. Nikolai Church Library" opens
12 March 2015
Book presentation: "The Nikolaikirche in Leipzig - 850 years of the city and parish church"
12 May 2015
The exhibition "History of the Nikolaikirche" opens
17-24 May
First week of the festival "Seek the peace of the city"
20 May 2015
Festival concert with amarcord
23 May 2015
Parish festival with musical, live music, coffee, procession of candles