The German Church (St Gertrude’s Church), also known as the Tyska Kyrkan in Swedish, is a historic church located in Gamla Stan, the Old Town of Stockholm, Sweden. It was built in the 17th century for the German-speaking congregation in Stockholm, primarily serving the city’s German merchants and residents.

The church is known for its Baroque architecture and ornate interior, including impressive woodcarvings and a beautifully decorated organ. As a curiosity, it’s worth mentioning that the highest point in Gamla Stan is the rooster on the tower of the German Church, standing 96 meters above the water.

Today, the German Church continues to be an active place of worship and also hosts concerts and cultural events throughout the year.

The history behind the church

The history of the German Church in Stockholm is intertwined with the city’s rich maritime and commercial history. The church building was originally, during the medieval heyday of the Hanseatic League, the house of Saint Gertrude’s guild for German merchants. The guild house had a building with a banquet hall on the site of the current church. Worship services were held in a separate chapel in the nearby Storkyrkan.

In connection with the Reformation, Saint Gertrude’s guild house was confiscated by the crown and eventually used as a place of worship. Remnants of the guild house, in the form of cellar vaults, are preserved under the church. In the 1570s, the guild house was converted into a church. In the 1580s, Saint Gertrude’s guild house was expanded into a church. An extension was made to the west, and the first vaults were constructed. Finally, the church’s first tower was built between 1613 and 1618, according to designs by architect Hubert de Besche. This initial phase of construction was completed in 1618.

The German Church today

Despite changes in demographics and cultural shifts over the centuries, the German Church has remained a significant landmark in Gamla Stan. It continues to serve as a place of worship for the German-speaking community in Stockholm and also welcomes visitors from all backgrounds to experience its rich history and architectural beauty.

Overall, the history of the German Church is a testament to the enduring legacy of Stockholm’s multicultural heritage and its role as a hub of trade, commerce, and cultural exchange in northern Europe.