St. Jakobskirche (St. Jacob's Church), Nuremberg
Saint Jacob's Church in Nuremberg is a historic edifice with a rich and varied past. Dedicated to Saint James the Greater, the church's origins trace back to the medieval period. It was initially founded as a small Romanesque chapel on February 20, 1209, by Otto IV, the Holy Roman Emperor. However, this original structure was replaced about 80 years later with a new building that soon came under the control of the Knights of Saint John. During the prosperous reign of Frederick II, the church became part of the holdings of the knightly order, receiving numerous properties.
The Reformation marked a significant shift for Saint Jacob's Church, transitioning it to Protestantism in 1531 before it was taken over by the Catholic Teutonic Order. The turbulence of the Thirty Years' War saw the church expropriated by King Gustav Adolf in 1632 and given to the city of Nuremberg. It was extensively renovated but returned to the Teutonic Order in 1648 following the Treaty of Westphalia. The Order maintained ownership until Napoleon Bonaparte ordered its dissolution in 1809.
The church then became the third Protestant parish church of Nuremberg in 1810. Over the years, Saint Jacob's Church served various community functions, including a hospice for the elderly. It suffered significant damage during World War II but was later restored to its former glory.
Architecturally, Saint Jacob's Church is a Gothic-style church known for its artistic and historical artifacts. Notably, it houses the Twelve Messenger Altar, a late Gothic creation with beautifully decorated reredos dating from 1360 to 1370. Other significant pieces include the Mourning of Christ sculpture by an unknown 16th-century artist and a three-manual pipe organ built in 1968 by Steinmeyer Orgelbau, adding to the church's rich musical tradition.
The Reformation marked a significant shift for Saint Jacob's Church, transitioning it to Protestantism in 1531 before it was taken over by the Catholic Teutonic Order. The turbulence of the Thirty Years' War saw the church expropriated by King Gustav Adolf in 1632 and given to the city of Nuremberg. It was extensively renovated but returned to the Teutonic Order in 1648 following the Treaty of Westphalia. The Order maintained ownership until Napoleon Bonaparte ordered its dissolution in 1809.
The church then became the third Protestant parish church of Nuremberg in 1810. Over the years, Saint Jacob's Church served various community functions, including a hospice for the elderly. It suffered significant damage during World War II but was later restored to its former glory.
Architecturally, Saint Jacob's Church is a Gothic-style church known for its artistic and historical artifacts. Notably, it houses the Twelve Messenger Altar, a late Gothic creation with beautifully decorated reredos dating from 1360 to 1370. Other significant pieces include the Mourning of Christ sculpture by an unknown 16th-century artist and a three-manual pipe organ built in 1968 by Steinmeyer Orgelbau, adding to the church's rich musical tradition.
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St. Jakobskirche (St. Jacob's Church) on Map
Sight Name: St. Jakobskirche (St. Jacob's Church)
Sight Location: Nuremberg, Germany (See walking tours in Nuremberg)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Nuremberg, Germany (See walking tours in Nuremberg)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Nuremberg, Germany
Create Your Own Walk in Nuremberg
Creating your own self-guided walk in Nuremberg is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Nuremberg Introduction Walking Tour
The most "German" of all cities in Germany, Nuremberg has witnessed many historic events in its lifetime. Sadly, the first thing immediately associated with Nuremberg is the rise of the Third Reich, the Nazi rallies, and the postwar trials over the Nazi leaders. Indeed, the city was favored by Hitler, who planned to build here a grandiose architectural complex for his party.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Hitler's Nuremberg Tour
Despite Nuremberg's storybook appearance, the city's not so distant past is rather dark. Back in 1933, amid the rise of the Third Reich, the Nazis worked really hard to leave their stamp on the city, prettifying it and renovating the architecture in a bid to accommodate their massive rallies and bombastic military parades.
In fact, no other city in Germany is more intertwined with the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
In fact, no other city in Germany is more intertwined with the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.9 Km or 3 Miles
Nuremberg Old Town Walking Tour
The historical center of Nuremberg, Old Town (German: Altstadt) is easily differentiated from other parts of the city. Divided in two by the Pegnitz River, the district represents a complex architectural ensemble with a maze of historical lanes (e.g. Weissgerbergasse) packed with half-timber houses, linked by centuries-old bridges, such as Maxbr眉cke, and set against the picturesque backdrops of... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.8 Km or 2.4 Miles