# Nakskov Church > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Nakskov_Church > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Nakskov_Church.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakskov_Church > Source revision: 1252787721 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Church in Nakskov, Denmark Nakskov Church **Nakskov Church** ([Danish](/source/Danish_language): *Sankt Nikolai Kirke*) is the largest church in [Nakskov](/source/Nakskov) on the west coast of the [Danish](/source/Denmark) island of [Lolland](/source/Lolland). As Nakskov was mentioned in [Valdemar's Census Book](/source/Danish_Census_Book) in the 13th century, the church probably dates to the same period. ## History Remains of a wooden church from c. 1000 were unearthed in the 1950s.[1] It was replaced by a brick church dedicated to [Saint Nicholas](/source/Saint_Nicholas) which is first mentioned in 1398 although its oldest sections probably date from the early 13th century. It was completed in the second half of the 17th century. Major repairs were carried out in 1746 but further work proved necessary in 1825. Before the [Danish Reformation](/source/Danish_Reformation), the church had a series of chapels and altars, each connected with the craftsmen's guilds in the town. Much of the documentation was destroyed when the Lübeckers plundered Nakskov in 1510.[2] ## Architecture Built of light red brick, the original [chancel](/source/Chancel) and [nave](/source/Nave) were in the [Romanesque](/source/Romanesque_architecture) style. Parts of these remain in the [Gothic](/source/Gothic_architecture) additions from the first half of the 15th century. Major extensions were added to both east and west, resulting in aisles on either side of the nave which virtually encapsulated the older construction. A large tower was also built at the west end of the former nave at the beginning of the 15th century. In the mid-17th century, after a period of some 200 years without further construction work, Gothic additions were completed. The Romanesque chancel was demolished while rectangular arches were added in the former walls. The spire which was repeatedly damaged by lightning was finally redesigned by [H.C. Glahn](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=H.C._Glahn&action=edit&redlink=1) in 1906.[2] ## Interior Pulpit by Jørgen Ringnis (1630) The carved [altarpiece](/source/Altarpiece) in the [auricular style](/source/Auricular_style) from 1656 is the work of [Anders Mortensen](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Anders_Mortensen&action=edit&redlink=1) from [Odense](/source/Odense). The central painting of the [Last Supper](/source/Last_Supper) (which contains an image of Nakskov Church in the background) is topped by depictions of the [Crucifixion](/source/Crucifixion) and Christ's removal from the cross. There are also figures of the [Evangelists](/source/Four_Evangelists) and the [Apostles](/source/Apostles_in_the_New_Testament), [Christ Resurrected](/source/Resurrection_of_Jesus) and also of [Moses](/source/Moses) and [Aaron](/source/Aaron).[3][2] The [pulpit](/source/Pulpit), also in the Baroque auricular style, was completed by [Jørgen Ringnis](/source/J%C3%B8rgen_Ringnis) in 1630. It was presented to the church by Mayor Thyge Sørensen whose portrait, and that of his wife, have been included in the pulpit's decorations which also include the 12 apostles. Ringnis also designed the gallery (1631) with figures of the apostles which now stands below the organ loft.[4] The organ was built by Johan Lorentz in 1648 and restored in 1968. On that occasion, Paul-Gerhard Andersen took pains to restore the organ's Baroque housing by Søren Ibsen.[5] ## See also - [List of churches on Lolland](/source/List_of_churches_on_Lolland) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Om kirken"](http://www.sanktnikolaikirke.dk/index.php/historie/historie-om-kirken), Sankt Nikolai Kirke Nakskov. (in Danish) Retrieved 29 July 2013. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-natmus_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-natmus_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-natmus_2-2) [Kirsten Weber-Andersen, Otto Norn, Aage Roussell, Gertrud Købke Knudsen, "Nakskov Kirke"](http://danmarkskirker.natmus.dk/uploads/tx_tcchurchsearch/Maribo_0089-0126.pdf), *Danmarks kirker: Maribo amt, Volume 8*, 1951, Nationalmuseet, pages 89-126. (in Danish) Retrieved 14 July 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Altertavle"](http://www.sanktnikolaikirke.dk/index.php/inventar/altertavle), Sankt Nikolai Kirke Nakskov. (in Danish) Retrieved 29 July 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Prædikestol"](http://www.sanktnikolaikirke.dk/index.php/inventar/praedikestol), Sankt Nikolai Kirke Nakskov. (in Danish) Retrieved 29 July 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Orgel"](http://www.sanktnikolaikirke.dk/index.php/inventar/orgel), Sankt Nikolai Kirke Nakskov. (in Danish) Retrieved 29 July 2013. ## External links - [Sankt Nikolai Kirke Nakskov](http://www.sanktnikolaikirke.dk/index.php/historie/historie-om-kirken) (in Danish) Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Sankt Nikolai Kirke (Nakskov)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Sankt_Nikolai_Kirke_(Nakskov)). v t e Lolland, Denmark Towns and villages Bandholm Birket Branderslev Dannemare Guldborg Holeby Horslunde Hunseby Kettinge Maribo Nagelsti Nakskov Nørreballe Nysted Øster Ulslev Rødby Rødbyhavn Sakskøbing Sandby Søllested Stokkemarke Sundby Toreby Localities Albuen Culture and attractions Fuglsang Art Museum Fuglsang Cultural Centre Knuthenborg Safaripark Lalandia Maribo Open-Air Museum Middelaldercentret Reventlow Museum Stiftsmuseum Maribo Churches Arninge Church Avnede Church Bandholm Church Birket Church Dannemare Church Errindlev Church Frederiksdal Fuglse Church Gloslunde Church Halsted Church Horslunde Church Hunseby Church Købelev Church Maribo Cathedral Nakskov Church Olstrup Church Østofte Church Sandby Church Sakskøbing Church Stokkemarke Church Tågerup Church Tillitse Church Toreby Church Manor houses Aalholm Berritzgaard Bramsløkke Christianssæde Engestofte Fredholm Halsted Priory Højbygård Knuthenborg Knuthenlund Krenkerup Lungholm Orebygaard Pederstrup Rudbjerggaard Sæbyholm Søholt Søllestedgård Vindeholme Other landmarks Gloslunde Rectory Kattinge Windmill Kong Svends Høj Nakskov Old Pharmacy Oreby Mølle Reventlow Asylum Reventlow Warehouse Geography Guldborgsund Maribo Lakes Nature Reserve Nakskov Fjord History 1872 Baltic Sea flood Maribo Abbey Nysted Friary Transport Danish national road 9 E47 Fehmarn Belt fixed link Frederick IX Bridge Guldborgsund Bridge Lolland Falster Airport Scandlines South Line Other Diocese of Lolland–Falster Guldborgsund Municipality Lolland Municipality [54°49′51″N 11°08′05″E / 54.83083°N 11.13472°E / 54.83083; 11.13472](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Nakskov_Church¶ms=54_49_51_N_11_08_05_E_) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Nakskov Church](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakskov_Church) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nakskov_Church?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.