The three biggest churches in the Hanseatic city Luebeck are the
Luebeck cathedral (Dom), St. Mary`s Church (St. Marien zu Luebeck) and the St. Jacobi Church.
The St. Jacobi Church was first mentioned in the year 1227 and was built in the north of
the Old Town (Kohberg).
In 1300, the gothic brick-lined church was built up after it was destroyed. The architectural
style followed the example of other religion buildings of the gothic era.
When entering the St. Jacobi Church you will find an impessively big hall, with a three parted
choir in the east. In the west you can see a square spire accompanied by its typical four copper spheres.
In the north you find the chapel called "Wittenkapelle", which is a memorial for the sinking
of the sailing ship Pamir.
In the Second World War, the St. Jacobi Church and the Aegidin Church were the only
churches in Luebeck, which were not damaged.
Presently in January 2008, reconstruction is going on inside and outside the bulding.
In 1334, the church was recognized as the church for sailors and fishermen. The name of the church "St.
Jacobi" is the German equivalent to "St. James" who is the patron of the St. Jacobi Church. The
church is one station on the way from North Europe to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, a famous pilgrim
route. Regarding this, there are many carvings, which describe the identifying mark of the
pilgrims: a shell which enclosing a pearl. This mark represents belief in the gospel and it is also
called "Jacobus-Demonstration".