St. Nikolaikirche Eilenburg

The late Gothic three-nave hall church with its beautiful red brickwork dates back to 1444 in its current form. It was the place of work of the pastor and songwriter Martin Rinckart - author and composer of the well-known hymn "Nun danket alle Gott" (Now give thanks to God).

In 1617, Eilenburg-born Martin Rinckart became archdeacon at St. Nikolai. He saved the town from being plundered by Swedish troops in 1639.
The song is still an integral part of Protestant hymnody today and is also sung in many countries around the world across all denominations. Renowned composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Max Reger, Johannes Brahms and Felix Mendelsohn Bartholdy gave the hymn or its melody space in their works.
The Nikolaikirche is one of the oldest church sites in the area. Today, it is the oldest building in the city center and is located directly on the Luther Trail Saxony. The first church was probably built on this site around 970/980. The church and the surrounding cemetery were consecrated in 1404. The church was destroyed by major fires in 1435 and 1535. However, it was also repeatedly damaged by floods (1413, 1434, 1573, 1771, 1854).
The reconstruction of the church, which was badly damaged in 1945, has not yet been completed. In 2005, a restored late Gothic carved altar (from 1506) was placed on the main altar. This comes from the former hospital chapel of the town cemetery.

Eilenburg is a stop on the Luther Trail Saxony.

- WC available for visitors