Fodor's Expert Review St. Michaelis Kirche
The Michel, as it's called locally, is Hamburg's principal church and northern Germany's finest Baroque-style ecclesiastical building. Its first incarnation, built between 1649 and 1661 (the tower followed in 1669), was razed after lightning struck almost a century later. It was rebuilt between 1750 and 1786 in the decorative Nordic Baroque style, but was gutted by a terrible fire in 1906. The replica, completed in 1912, was demolished during World War II, and the present church is a reconstruction. The distinctive 436-foot brick-and-iron tower bears the largest tower clock in Germany, 26 feet in diameter. Just above the clock is a viewing platform (accessible by elevator or stairs) that affords a magnificent panorama of the city, the Elbe River, and the Alster lakes. Twice a day, at 10 am and 9 pm (Sunday at noon), a watchman plays a trumpet solo from the tower platform. For a great view of Hamburg's skyline, head to the clock tower at night. From 6 pm to 10:30 pm you can have a drink... READ MORE
The Michel, as it's called locally, is Hamburg's principal church and northern Germany's finest Baroque-style ecclesiastical building. Its first incarnation, built between 1649 and 1661 (the tower followed in 1669), was razed after lightning struck almost a century later. It was rebuilt between 1750 and 1786 in the decorative Nordic Baroque style, but was gutted by a terrible fire in 1906. The replica, completed in 1912, was demolished during World War II, and the present church is a reconstruction. The distinctive 436-foot brick-and-iron tower bears the largest tower clock in Germany, 26 feet in diameter. Just above the clock is a viewing platform (accessible by elevator or stairs) that affords a magnificent panorama of the city, the Elbe River, and the Alster lakes. Twice a day, at 10 am and 9 pm (Sunday at noon), a watchman plays a trumpet solo from the tower platform. For a great view of Hamburg's skyline, head to the clock tower at night. From 6 pm to 10:30 pm you can have a drink while listening to classical music in a room just below the tower. Check www.nachtmichel.de for details.
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