St. Sebald Church
St. Sebald Church is one of the narrated stops on the self-guided Nuremberg audio walking tour in Gingerguide. Plan about ~30 min here. Press play at the spot for its two to three minute story, or ask the AI guide anything about it.
- Type religious
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Nuremberg Nuremberg guide
About St. Sebald Church
St. Sebald is one of Nuremberg's oldest churches, a Gothic Lutheran landmark near the town hall, holding Peter Vischer's bronze shrine of the city's patron saint.
St. Sebald, the Sebalduskirche, is one of the oldest and principal churches of Nuremberg, on the northern side of the old town near the town hall. Construction began in 1225, parish status came in 1255, and the main building was complete by about 1273 to 1275, first as a Romanesque basilica with two choirs. In the fourteenth century the aisles were widened and a late Gothic hall chancel added between 1358 and 1379; the two towers followed in the fifteenth century.
The church has been Lutheran since the Reformation. Its most famous work is the bronze Shrine of St. Sebaldus by Peter Vischer the Elder and his sons, begun in 1508 and completed in 1519, which encloses a silver reliquary holding the remains venerated as the saint's. An Allied raid on 2 January 1945 destroyed the organ case; the church was afterwards restored.
Did you know? The bronze Shrine of St. Sebaldus, made by Peter Vischer the Elder and his sons between 1508 and 1519, is among the major achievements of Nuremberg bronze casting. It encloses a silver reliquary.
How long should you spend at St. Sebald Church?
Plan about ~30 min at St. Sebald Church. That is enough to take it in and hear its narrated story; stay longer if it grabs you. The tour is self-guided, so there is no rush.
Is St. Sebald Church worth visiting?
St. Sebald Church is one of the 13 sights the Gingerguide team researched and narrated in Nuremberg, so it earns a place on a self-guided walk. Its story explains why it matters, and you can ask the AI guide anything the story leaves open.
Nearby stops in Nuremberg
Day 1 of the Nuremberg in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of St. Sebald Church
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