Hamburg’s Iconic St. Michaelis Church Faces Escalating Restoration Challenges

Newly discovered structural damage to the church’s tower increases repair costs and extends the timeline for completion.

Three vertical cracks up to 35 meters long in the tower of St. Michaelis Church have been found to be expanding faster than anticipated, necessitating urgent repairs.
The restoration cost has risen to €1.5 million, with an additional €700,000 in donations being sought to cover the shortfall.
Plans include installing steel reinforcements and sealing external walls to prevent further water damage to the historic structure.
Restoration work, paused due to seasonal weather, is scheduled to resume in spring 2025 and could take up to a year to complete.
Despite the construction, the church will remain open to its 1.5 million annual visitors, with efforts coordinated to minimize disruption.