St Nicolai church

At the excavations a stone floor one meter down was discovered and by exposing the floor the base of the pillars was revealed. Storck didn't lower the chancel wasn't done to emphasize this central place in the church.

The church is the oldest preserved building in Svendborg and is build in the first half of the 11th century and initiated to the seamens guardian angel st. Nicolaus. It is said that here stood a granite boulderchurch erected in the middle of the 10th century. The characteristics of the present church are its big resemblance with the cathedral in Lübeck, Germany, plus that it is build in late roman style with vaults and arches and the lead fixed windows with biblical motives and events in coloured glass. Because the church is built at several times with exspanding and adding, starting the chior in the 11th century and ending with the tower in 14th century, it shows different styles from different places in Europa. This isn't surprising as sVendborg was a big sea port facing the central Eoropa. During the years 1892-94 the church was restored. It had decayed a lot during the the years and a certain H. B. Storck was given the task of restoring. The church was by that time whitewashed, as it had been since 1566. Storck got the idea to restore it to its original appearance.

Click here to see a panorame. Be aware that it can take a while.

The present altar is made in 1894 by Joakim Skov-gaard and all in roman style. Above are the 12 diciples, six on each side of a Jesus in a tabernacle. Above it hovers a roman crucifix. On the front of the altar are painted five pictures symbolizing the saviour and the four evangelists.

The pulpit dates 2 april 1585, one of the few in Denmark that have been dated. In the four arcade fields are seen evangelists painted with their symbols. All the pulput was heavely ornamented at the restoration 1892-94.

The font is the oldest preserved interior of the church. It is made entirely of granite in late roman style. It has originalle stood in the sou-thern nave by the entrance, fenced by a wooden grate where upon the 12 first priests after the reformation was painted.

Want to know more about St. Nick?
www.stnicholascenter.org.

Of the glaspainting are still a lot, but some are reconstructions. The rest of the originals lie in the national museum in Copenhagen. As an example is here shown one with the saint Birgitta kneeling at her praying desk.

The organ is fairly new. It has 32 voices.

The interior shown is only a selection of the many interesting things in the church.
Read more about its history and interior in the pamphlets found in the porch.

The church is located on Sankt Nicolaigade(street) 2B - at Gerritsgade(street).

Priest:Mette Jørgensen
Sct. Nicolai gade 2 B
Phone: 62 21 12 96
Office hours 11.00-12.00, except wednessdays.

Church office: 62 21 28 54
Sankt Nicolai kirkestræde 3
monday-friday 12.30-14.30