Tyska Kyrkan - German Church, Stockholm

This church is truly beautiful, and there is no charge to get in! (You have to pay at Storkyrkan and Ritterholmskyrkan). I really wouldn't miss this church--it's so beautiful I just sat in there for about 15 minutes, restng my legs, and admiring the beautiful pulpit, altar, organ, and windows.

During the main season, the church is open from Noon until 4 PM daily, but in the off season September - May, I think it is only open on weekends.

There is a very interesting website in English about the churches of Stockholm's Gamla Stan--Click here to go there

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Also in the Gamla Stan and very close to the Stortorget is the Tyska Kyrka (German Church or also called St.Gertrude's). This church still has the character and style of the 17th century. I only took a quick peak inside the church (it was almost clossing time) but I was quite impressed. The beautiful stained glas windows, the richly gilded altar and a pulpit of ebony and alabaster. Looking through these photos makes me realize that next time I have to drop by for another visit to take a better look.

Opening hours:
Saturday and Sunday 12:00 - 16:00
During the summer: daily: 12:00 - 16:00

German Church of St. Gertrud reminds of the times when German influences in Stockholm were very strong, as Hanseatic League controlled the Baltic ports. Today the German congregation has about 1800 members, and every Sunday the service is celebrated here in German. One of the objects worth noticing inside is the unique pulpit of ebony with alabaster figures (1660). Its central position emphasizes the significance of sermon in Protestant church. On the right you can see richly decorated gallery built in 1672 for German members of royal family. In the church there are frequent presentations of Duben organ.

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Tyska Kyrkan (the German church) is a symbol of the great influence that German merchants had on Stockholm back in the 16th century. At that time the Hanseatic League controlled trades at the Baltic Sea and many Germans settled down at Stockholm. That is also the reason why the urban development and the architectural structure of Gamla Stan (Stockholm's Old Town) is similar to the Northern German town of Lübeck.
Though Germany's political influence faded after the "Stockholm Bloodbath" and Gustav Wasa coming into power in 1523, the cultural and economic influence remained unbroken. The German parish was established in 1571. Tyska Kyrkan was built between 1638-1642 as an extension of a former, smaller church. In 1672 the interior in the style of late German Renaissance and Baroque was enhanced by a gallery for the German members of the royalty. The pulpit made of ebony and alabaster is a masterpiece without equals in Sweden.

Tyska kyrkan or the German Church is also sometimes referred St. Gertrude's Church is situated in Gamla stan. It is called the German Church as middle ages the area was in the centre of a German neighbourhood. Officially it is called St. Gertrude's or Sankta Gertrud, and it is dedicated to Saint Gertrude. it is very close to the Stortorget.

One of the dominant spires on the Stockholm skyline is that of the German Church, on Gamla Stan - rebuilt in the late 19th century, it reaches a height of 96 meters - 315 feet. It was originally built for the Germanic merchants of the Hanseatic League who settled on Gamla Stan and gave the island much of its Baltic heritage. Services are still held here in German, and the Church is also home to a variety of musical concerts throughout the year.

... meaning the German Church, established by wealthy german merchants. Very beautiful glass-stained windows depicting not only religious scenes, but also people at work or family life.