Nikolaj Kirke - Nikolaj Copenhagen Contemporary Art Center.

The first church
The first Nikolaj Church was built around year 1200, and one of the oldest church buildings in Copenhagen that have a remarkable history. There were two large churches that served the citizens at that time in the medieval period – Nikolaj Church and The Church of Our Lady, later Copenhagen’s Cathedral.

The great fires in 1794
The tower building is the only remains of the original church from 1580, as most of the church building was destroyed by the catastrophic fires that razed Copenhagen in June 1795, and only the solid brick tower construction survived – except for the spire. Since 1805 the Nikolaj Church has not been in function for Christian church services.

The fires of Copenhagen in 1795 nearly burnt down the entire city including Nikolaj Church as shown on the painting. 6000 people became homeless.

Photo from 1885 of the tower without the spire that later was donated in 1909 by the founder of Carlsberg Brewery Carl Jacobsen.

Nikolaj Plads
After the heavy fires in the city in 1795, where 6000 people became homeless and about 900 buildings were demolished including Nikolaj Church and the Town house. The damaged church building and its ruins were then pulled down to the ground. In 1808 the high tower building was provided with a platform, were a watchman from the fire brigade could spot possible fires around the city. The tower was used for this cause until 1882. Around the tower a new marketplace develop, where small merchants sold their meat and vegetables together with other groceries and this square is called Nikolaj Plads, where some of the oldest shops in this part of town are still in function from around 1840.

Around the church area a new marketplace grew up in 1820s called Nikolaj Plads. The photo is from 1901 showing the tower at the back.

Butcher shop from 1900, at the marketplace around Nikolaj Square. Similar booths with vegetables and other groceries were also established.

New spire
Until 1909 the tower was without a spire – but with help from the founder of Carlsberg Brewery Carl Jacobsen, who donated a new spire identical to the original one from the Renaissance period, the present tower has now a fine copper spire that is a recognized landmark of the city that highlights the skyline of Copenhagen.

Church building with commercial activities
In 1914 it was decided to re-establish the buildings in the same Renaissance style as the previous buildings, and in 1917 the church complex was inaugurated - not for church services, but to be used for other cultural and commercial events and activities.

The present Nikolaj Church is changed into the Contemporary Art Center of Copenhagen offering many cultural events and activities.

Nikolaj Church with its copper-clad spire from 1909, re- built in Renaissance style like the earlier 17th century spire.

The Organ
Even though Nikolaj Church does not function as a church, an organ was installed in 1930 for concerts and other musical performances. The organ from Marcussen & Son has since received international reputation for being a milestone in the development of a modern type neo-baroque organ.

Gallery and Art Center
The building has three galleries, including one in the tower and called Nikolaj Copenhagen Contemporary Art Center and the facilities are open all days from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Location
Nikolaj Church is located just a few minutes from the pedestrian street "Strøget" - and within walking distance of busses and the Metro station Kongens Nytorv. Parking is limited.

Nikolaj Church Address Nikolaj, Copenhagen Contemporary Art Center Nikolaj Plads 10 1067 Copenhagen K Busses: 15 - 26 - 29 - 40 - 1A - 2A - 65E. Trains: All trains to Nørreport Station, Metro to Kongens Nytorv.

Nikolaj Church & Art Centre Kunsthallen Nikolaj