Interior view

An experiment was ventured by Leipzig’s main architect Johann Carl Friedrich Dauthe during the rebuilding of the Late Gothic Nicolaikirche (St. Nicholas Church). While the outer walls of the parish church was left in their medieval condition, Dauthe transformed the interior into veritable blooming garden, with piers converted into palm trees and late Gothic reticulated vaulting transformed into palm leaves. The architect here tries to establish a combination of Gothic lightness and brightness with the grandeur of classical grammar by articulating the side walls and elongated choir with lesenes.

In the 18th century, several works by Johann Sebastian Bach, who was the music director of Nikolaikirche and of Thomaskirche from 1723–50, premiered here.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 33 minutes):

Johann Sebastian Bach: Magnificat in D major, BWV 243