St. Nicholas' Church (Nikolaikirche) Aken

St. Nicholas Church is one of the oldest buildings in the city. In the Akener Schöffenbücher it was first mentioned in 1265 as a St. Nicholas Chapel. It can be assumed that it was founded by merchants and travelers who used the Akener Elbe crossing. In 1270 the St. Nicholas Chapel was elevated to the status of a collegiate church by the Augustinian canons. In the years 1317 - 1335 the collegiate church, which had been destroyed by a devastating flood on the Elbe (1316), was restored. The church was significantly expanded using old, Romanesque components. The Gothic choir was added and the mighty, five-story double tower was built. The late Romanesque character of the three-aisled, flat-roofed pillar basilica is also clearly recognizable by extensive Gothic renovations.
The church was completely renovated in the neo-Gothic style between 1884 and 1892. St. Nicholas Church has two late Romanesque columned portals and Romanesque pillars in the nave. A special feature is a large Gothic octagonal baptismal font made of sandstone and two figure gravestones with Gothic engraved drawings from 1345 and 1371. The church is built in an east-west direction. The church was very neglected in the years after 1945 and the structural condition deteriorated. After St. Mary's Church was closed due to structural defects, the Röver organ, the Mary and Barbara altar from around 1490 and the crucifix from 1460 were moved to St. Nicholas Church in 1983. These valuable works of art have been preserved for the citizens of Aken and everyone has the opportunity to admire them during church services or on guided tours. St. Nicholas Church is used by the Protestant parish. The renovation of the church began during the GDR era and was only completed in 1996 with the re-roofing of the two towers. In addition to church services, music events such as the annual Christmas concert also take place in St. Nicholas Church.Dates for the "Open Church" (April to October):Saturday
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.Sunday
9:30 a.m. church service
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.