About
St. Michaelis, called "Michel", is one of Hamburg's five main protestant churches (Hauptkirchen) and the most famous church in the city.

St. Michaelis is a landmark of the city. It is dedicated to the archangel Michael. A large bronze statue, standing above the portal of the church shows the archangel conquering the devil.

The 132 m high baroque spire totally covered with copper is a prominent feature of Hamburg’s skyline and has always been a landfall mark for ships sailing up the river Elbe.

History
began around 1600 Due to the many dead who had fallen victim to the plague, a burial ground was laid out outside the city where the Little St. Michaelis Church stands to-day. In 1600 a chapel was added, which soon became extended into a small church. More and more people settled outside the city.