Stand before the monumental western façade of St. Lorenz Church (Sankt Lorenz Kirche) and you’ll be amazed by its intricate brickwork and towering dual spires. The church’s colossal towers and nave mirror its St. Sebald counterpart on the other side of the Pegnitz River. Admire the church’s ornate designs from its courtyard at Lorenzer Platz and walk inside to see its unusually magnificent Lutheran interior.
Gaze up at the colossal tiered towers, which soar 260 feet (80 meters) into the sky. Topped with magnificent copper spires, the towers can be seen from many points in the medieval town center of Nuremberg. Check out the central rose window and the large arched doorway. Work began on the church in the 13th century, but it was not completed until 1477. In 1525, during the Reformation, it became a Lutheran church.
Enter the church and explore its large nave. The breathtaking choir is designed in the German late Gothic style and contains a carving of the Angels’ Greeting by Veit Stoß and an enormous tabernacle. See the church’s three-part organ, which dates back to 1862. The church’s main organ was installed in the 1930s and is one of the world’s largest organs. Check out its 12,000 pipes spread across 165 registers. The church’s belfry contains 16 bells, the oldest of which is from the 14th century.
The church suffered a great deal of damage in World War II and was meticulously restored. Try to spot parts of the old high-Gothic basilica amid the 20th-century restorations.
St. Lorenz Church is located in the St. Lorenz district of Nuremberg’s Old Town on the southern side of the Pegnitz River. While in the area, be sure to check out the Pfarrhaus Lorenzkirche parsonage and the Tugendbrunnen fountain. Stop at one of the several cafés and restaurants nearby and visit the popular shopping strip. The church has a railway station directly outside. Visit the church for free during the day. Plan your visit around the regular services held here and inquire about timing of organ concerts and bell soundings.
