--- title: "Nikolaikirche" date: 2022-11-02 last_modified: 2026-07-24T09:30:12+02:00 generated_at: 2026-07-27T00:16:19Z url: "https://staging.stadtmuseum.de/en/museum/nikolaikirche" description: "Berlin’s Middle: 800 Years of History and Culture" image: "https://staging.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/museum-nikolaikirche-bei-nacht.jpg" language: "en-US" --- # Nikolaikirche ![Das Museum Nikolaikirche bei Nacht.](https://staging.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/museum-nikolaikirche-bei-nacht-200x300.jpg) ![Blick in den Kirchenraum der Nikolaikirche mit Kunstobjekten und Publikum](https://staging.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/nikolaikirche-ausstellungsraum-300x200.jpg) - Berlin’s oldest surviving church building is now a museum. In the permanent exhibition, you can learn more about the history of the building, its architecture, church music and Berlin’s development during the Middle Ages. **Location** Nikolaikirche Nikolaikirchplatz 10178 Berlin **Opening Hours** daily | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (also on public holidays) **Differing Opening Hours** see Info & Service **Admission** 7 euros (single ticket) | 15 euros (combi-ticket\*) | free admission (under 18 years or with reduction) \*Valid on two consecutive days for the Ephraim-Palais, the Nikolaikirche and the Knoblauchhaus. The Nikolaikirche is as old as Berlin itself. Construction began around 1230. Since then, it has undergone many changes. It has been rebuilt and redesigned on several occasions. Since the end of the 19th century, its twin towers have been a defining feature of the city centre. These changes show just how important the church was to the people of Berlin. Today, you can visit the Nikolaikirche as a museum and discover its fascinating history. ![Modell der mittelalterlichen Stadt Berlin im Museum Nikolaikirche, im Hintergrund unscharf Besucher und das Innere des Kirchenschiffs](https://staging.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/stadtmodell-berlins-mitte-300x200.jpg) The Nikolaikirche was not only a place of worship and the final resting place of prominent families. It was also the scene of significant events, such as the Reformation. In 1809, the first Berlin City Council met here. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall, the new House of Representatives for the whole of Berlin convened here in 1991. > At the end of the Second World War, the Nikolaikirche was severely damaged by allied bombs and later collapsed. It remained in ruins until 1984. Since its reconstruction to mark Berlin’s 750th anniversary in 1987, it has been a museum. ## Music and Art The Nikolaikirche is also a place of music. The cantor and composer Johann Crüger (1598–1662) and the pastor and poet Paul Gerhardt (1607–1676) together shaped a chapter of European cultural history here. This musical tradition lives on to this day through events and concerts. However, music is not the only art form to be experienced at St Nicholas’ Church. Alongside historical paintings and sculptures from earlier centuries, you’ll find a diverse range of contemporary art on display here. ## Exhibitions - [ ![Tastmodell der Berliner Nikolaikirche in der Ausstellung](https://staging.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/tastmodell-nikolaikirche-berlin-300x200.jpg) Nikolaikirche ### Conceiving Architecture ### The Nikolaikirche for blind, visually impaired and sighted people Permanent Exhibition ](https://staging.stadtmuseum.de/en/exhibition/conceiving-architecture) - [ ![Modell der mittelalterlichen Stadt Berlin im Museum Nikolaikirche, im Hintergrund unscharf Besucher und das Innere des Kirchenschiffs](https://staging.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/stadtmodell-berlins-mitte-300x200.jpg) Nikolaikirche ### Berlin’s Middle ### 800 years of history and culture Permanent Exhibition ](https://staging.stadtmuseum.de/en/exhibition/berlins-middle) ## Audioguide A free audio guide leads you through the exhibition in German, English, French, Italian, Spanish and Russian. A German-language audio guide is aimed specifically at families. ![Savoir-vivre im Nikolaiviertel: Das Museum Nikolaikirche ist umgeben von Cafés, Restaurants und liebevoll geführten Geschenkläden. ](https://staging.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/IMG_57121-300x200.jpg) ### Discover the Nikolai Quarter! Welcome to the oldest part of the city of Berlin! Three museums invite you to discover here: the Nikolaikirche, the Knoblauchhaus and the Ephraim-Palais. Learn about Berlin’s history and take part in our programme! [ Learn more ](https://staging.stadtmuseum.de/en/nikolaiviertel) ## Info & Service ## Opening Hours daily | 10 am – 6 pm (also on public holidays) **Differing opening hours:** Sat | 29.08. | 10 a.m. – 2 a.m. (Long Night of Museums) Mon | 31.08. | Closed Mon | 14.09. – 01.10. | Closed (Change of exhibition) Thu | 24.12. | Closed (Christmas Eve) Fri & Sat | 25. + 26.12. | 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. (First & Second Christmas Day) Thu | 31.12. | Closed (New Year’s Eve) Fri | 01.01. 2027 | 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. (New Year’s Day) The [visitor rules](https://staging.stadtmuseum.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/besuchsordnung-stadtmuseum-berln.pdf) of the Stiftung Stadtmuseum Berlin apply. ## Directions Nikolaikirchplatz 10178 Berlin [ Google Maps ](https://maps.google.de/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=de&geocode=&q=Nikolaikirche%2C%20Nikolaikirchplatz%2C%20Berlin&aq=2&oq=Nikol&sll=52.514027%2C13.415251&sspn=0.015096%2C0.030513&vpsrc=0&ie=UTF8&hq=Nikolaikirche%2C%20Nikolaikirchplatz%2C%20Berlin&ll=52.517527%2C13.40744&spn=0.030189%2C0.061026&t=m&z=14&iwloc=A&cid=6093985458874356584) [ Bus & Train ](https://www.bvg.de/en/connections/connection-search) ## Contact Infoline +49 30 240 02 – 162 Mo – Fri | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. [Write E-Mail](mailto:info@berlin.museum) ## Tickets ## Admission **Combi-Ticket** 15 euros Valid for our three museums in the Nikolaiviertel (Nikolaikirche, Ephraim-Palais, Knoblauchhaus) on two consecutive days (please note opening hours) **Single Ticket** 7 euros Day ticket for the Nikolaikirche **Free admission With proof of reduction** for children and adolescents under 18 years of age, students, trainees, FSJ/FÖJ/BFD volunteers, Berlin Ticket S holders, severely disabled persons (at least 50% GdB) and their Personal Assistant, refugees (with a valid work or residence permit/eAT and a Ukrainian passport or valid residence permit from Ukraine), recipients of transfer payments (Bürgergeld, ALG I), holders of the Berlin-Brandenburg Ehrenamtskarte, holders of the Super-Ferienpass / Berliner Familienpass, ICOM members, members of Deutscher Museumsbund, Verein der Freunde und Förderer des Stadtmuseums Berlin e. V. (except for the Museumsdorf Düppel), Förderverein Museumsdorf Düppel e. V., and Förderkreis Museum Knoblauchhaus e. V., media representatives with a valid press card. [ Ticketshop ](https://tickets.stadtmuseum.de/#/tickets/time?museum_id=5&group=day) ### Ласкаво просимо! Всі, хто має український паспорт, візу для України або дійсне студентське посвідчення українського університету та візу на проживання в Німеччині, можуть безкоштовно відвідувати всі наші локації; це також стосується всіх, хто має дозвіл на проживання в електронному вигляді (eAT). Ми з нетерпінням чекаємо на Вас! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How is the advance sale regulated? Tickets are available at the earliest 14 days before the desired date of the museum visit. The tickets are not personalized and therefore transferable. However, please note here any discount reasons. ### How do I buy an online ticket? *Variant 1:* Please select the appropriate museum you would like to visit under Filter (above the calendar). Then select the desired day of your visit. *Variant 2:* Please select the desired day of your visit via the calendar. Now choose the ticket and the museum. ### How can I ensure that I can show the online ticket on my end device (smartphone, tablet) even without a network if necessary? To be on the safe side, please take a screenshot(s) of your PDF ticket(s) after purchase and save it (them) e.g. under "Images" on your end device. ### How do I show my online ticket? Please bring your ticket(s) either printed out or digitally on your smartphone and present proof of any discount reasons without being asked. ### Can I cancel my online ticket? Purchased tickets cannot be canceled, see the [terms and conditions of Stadtmuseum Berlin GmbH](https://tickets.stadtmuseum.de/#/page/agb). ## Accessibility ### Directions **Public transport** S-Bahn: S3, S5, S7, S9 “Alexanderplatz” (distance to the museum approx. 700 m). Underground: U2 “Klosterstraße” (distance to the museum approx. 800 m), U5 “Rotes Rathaus” (distance to the museum approx. 300 m) Bus: 200 “Rotes Rathaus” (distance to the museum approx. 270 m) Tram: 12, M1, M4, M5, M6 “Spandauer Straße / Marienkirche” (distance to the museum approx. 600 m) The Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (Berlin-Brandenburg Transport Association) offers free VBB Bus & Bahn escort service to help you get to the museum by public transport. **Parking** There are two public parking spaces for people with disabilities in Rathausstraße (distance to the museum approx. 200 m). **On foot:** The path to the museum is not easy to walk or drive on in places. ### Building The building is accessible without steps (threshold 2 cm high). The entrance door is a single-leaf door without an automatic mechanism, followed by a glass door in the entrance area; our staff ist available for assistance. Doors and passageways are at least 90 cm wide. Exceptions: The passageway in front of the stairs to the organ loft is 80 cm wide, WC doors are less than 70 cm wide. Cashier’s counter is 106 cm high; no other, equivalent communication option available while seated. Some areas are only accessible via steps/stairs: - Sacristy via 4 steps with handrail - Coin cabinet via 5 steps with handrail - Organ loft over 35 steps with handrail - WC over 3 steps (door width 65 cm, WC is not barrier-free). The choir area is accessible through the left-hand side aisle via a ramp (5 m long, 6 per cent incline). Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas. ### Exhibition Portable folding stools are available in the exhibition. The exhibits and information are mostly visible when seated. The rooms and exhibits are well lit and glare-free (exception: sacristy). Information about the exhibition and the artefacts is provided in writing and acoustically. In the exhibition, tactile models of the building's architecture are available with an explanatory audio description track as well as information on the models in Braille and profiled writing. ### Offerings An audio guide (with headphone connection) in German, English, French, Italian, Spanish and Russian as well as a family guide in German and a video guide in German sign language can be borrowed free of charge at the ticket desk. Hearing and tactile tours as well as tours in German sign language take place regularly. ### Certification The Nikolaikirche has been assessed and certified by “Travelling for All” in 2025. The certification is valid until 2028. For detailed information, see: [www.reisen-fuer-alle.de](https://www.reisen-fuer-alle.de/museum_nikolaikirche_249.html?action=detail&item_id=3438)