The St. Nicholas church at Alter Markt is named after St. Nicholas, patron saint of the fishermen and seamen. Until the early 20th century, the 13th century church used to mark the town center, but like many other historic buildings in Kiel, it was severely damaged in World War II, and just a third of the entire building including the almost completely destroyed nave were left. During its reconstruction people tried to combine the Medieval walls with new shapes. The winged altar shrine is one of the largest and best preserved of its kind, and the large bronze font at the eastern part of the northern side aisle is also worth some attention. It dates from the 14th century and shows scenes from the life of Jesus Christ. Outside the church, there is a remarkable bronze sculpture Geisteskämpfer (spiritual fighter) by Holstein's great artist Ernst Barlach. It was meant to be destroyed as a piece of degenerated art in 1937, but was able to be saved and was placed outside the St. Nicholas church in 1954.
