Saint George's Church, Nördlingen

Church in Nördlingen

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Tkx

Saint George's Church is the spiritual and architectural centre of Nördlingen, a striking Gothic hall church whose tower dominates the skyline of this perfectly round medieval town. Built mainly in the 14th and 15th centuries, it rises above red-tiled roofs and cobbled streets, its tall windows and buttresses giving it a light, graceful presence despite its size. Inside, the cool stone, soaring vaults and filtered light create an immediate sense of calm, whether you have come to pray, listen to music or simply step away from the bustle of the market square for a while. It is one of the top attractions in Nördlingen, and the best place to start understanding the town's long and layered history.

Outside, the church tower - known locally as Kirchturm Daniel - reaches over 300 feet into the air and can be seen from miles around, acting as a beacon for travellers crossing the Ries crater. Climbing its more than 300 steps rewards you with sweeping views over the complete ring of town walls and the surrounding countryside. Back at ground level, the interior impresses with vaulted ceilings, stained glass, sculptures, altars and carved details that speak of the pride and faith of Nördlingen's citizens through the centuries. Together, the church and its tower are a highlight of any walking tour of Nördlingen, tying together faith, architecture and the extraordinary landscape beneath your feet.

History and Significance of Saint George’s Church
Things to See and Do in Saint George’s Church
How to Get to Saint George’s Church
Practical Tips on Visiting the Saint George’s Church
Where to Stay close to the Saint George’s Church
Is Saint George’s Church Worth Visiting
FAQs for Visiting Saint George’s Church
Nearby Attractions to the Saint George’s Church

History and Significance of Saint George’s Church

The origins of Saint George's Church go back to the 14th century, when Nördlingen was a prosperous imperial town trading across Swabia and beyond. Built in the Gothic style typical of the period, the church was designed as a hall church, with nave and aisles of similar height, giving the interior a wide, unified feel rather than a tall central nave with low side chapels. This layout reflects both liturgical needs and civic pride: the church was not only a place of worship, but also a powerful statement of the town's status and wealth.

The tower, later nicknamed Daniel, became Nördlingen's most visible landmark, guiding traders, pilgrims and travellers towards the safety of the walls. Over time, Saint George's Church witnessed major religious changes, including the Reformation, which reshaped worship and community life in the town. Yet the building itself remained a constant presence, adapting to new forms of liturgy while preserving older artworks, monuments and architectural details.

Today, the church still serves as an active parish and a key venue for services, concerts and community events. Its combination of religious significance, architectural splendour and practical role as a lookout makes it central to Nördlingen’s identity. Standing beneath the vaults or looking up at the tower from the market square, you are seeing the same outlines that generations of townspeople have known, linking modern visitors directly with the town’s medieval and early modern past.

Things to See and Do in Saint George’s Church

Most visitors start outside, taking in the full length of Saint George's Church from the square. From here you can admire the tracery of the large Gothic windows, the buttresses that support the high roof and the tower's distinctive profile. Stepping inside, your first impression is usually of space and light: the hall-church layout means that the nave and aisles feel like one broad room, with clustered columns leading your eye up to the ribbed vaulting above.

As you explore, look for the main altarpiece and side altars, statues of saints and stone or wooden figures that line niches and pillars. Intricate stained glass windows filter coloured light across the interior, and although some glazing has been renewed over time, the overall effect is still deeply atmospheric. Carved choir stalls, memorial plaques and period furnishings tell smaller stories about local clergy, wealthy families and guilds that supported the church.

If you are able, climbing the Daniel tower is an experience not to miss. The ascent involves more than 300 steps, mostly wooden, winding up through the tower past beams, intermediate landings and small windows that gradually open up the view. At the top, an open viewing platform offers an unforgettable 360-degree panorama: the circular ring of town walls, the jumble of roofs and narrow streets, and the wider Ries crater spreading out beyond. On clear days, the view stretches to distant hills, making the effort of the climb feel very worthwhile.

Music lovers should check whether an organ recital or concert is scheduled during their visit, as the church’s acoustics suit choral and instrumental performances beautifully. Simply sitting quietly in a pew, watching light move across the stone and listening to faint sounds from the tower or square outside, can also be a rewarding way to experience the building’s quieter side.

How to Get to Saint George’s Church

For most international visitors, the easiest major gateways are Nuremberg Airport and Munich Airport, both of which offer extensive European and long-haul connections and convenient onward links to Nördlingen and the Romantic Road region. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Nördlingen on Booking.com. From either city, you can reach Nördlingen by rail or car.

By train, regional services connect Nördlingen with cities such as Nuremberg, Munich, Augsburg and Aalen, typically with one or more changes depending on your starting point.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. Nördlingen's railway station sits just outside the medieval walls; from there it is a short, pleasant walk through one of the town gates to the central square, where Saint George's Church and its tower rise clearly above the rooftops.

If you are travelling by car, you can reach Nördlingen via the A7 motorway and regional roads like the B25 and B466, then follow signs towards the town and park in one of the car parks just outside the city walls.If you are looking to rent a car in Germany I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. From the car parks, walk through the historic gates into the old town and follow the line of streets towards the prominent tower of Saint George's Church, which is visible from many angles.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Saint George’s Church

Suggested tips: Dress in layers so you are comfortable both in the cooler interior and outside on the tower platform, and bring a small bottle of water if you plan to climb the steps.
Best time to visit: Mornings and late afternoons tend to be quieter and offer softer light through the stained glass; clear days give the best views from the tower.
Entrance fee: Church entry is usually free; expect a small fee of around €3.50–€5.00 per adult for climbing the tower, with concessions for children and families.
Opening hours: April to October from 10:00 to 18:00; November to March from 10:00 to 16:00. Church Tours: Monday to Friday at 11:00 am, On weekends and public holidays at 3:30 pm
Official website: https://www.kirchengemeinde-noerdlingen.de/st-georg
How long to spend: Allow 30-45 minutes for the church interior alone, and about 60-90 minutes if you plan to climb the tower and spend time on the viewing platform.
Accessibility: The church interior is usually accessible via level or gently sloping entrances, but the tower is only reachable by steep stairs and is not suitable for visitors with significant mobility issues or pushchairs.
Facilities: Basic information and leaflets may be available inside; toilets and cafés are located in the surrounding old town rather than within the church itself.
Photography tip: Inside, look for compositions that combine tall columns with stained glass windows; outside, wide shots from the market square or from the town walls capture the church in its urban setting.
Guided tours: Check with local tourist information for guided town or church tours, which can give valuable context on the building’s architecture, artworks and role in Nördlingen’s history.
Nearby food options: After your visit, cafés and bakeries around the main square and side streets offer ideal spots for coffee, cake or a light meal with views back towards the church and tower.

Where to Stay close to the Saint George’s Church

Saint George's Church stands right in the heart of Nördlingen's circular old town, so staying within or just outside the walls puts you within a short stroll of the church, tower and main sights. A convenient and comfortable option is NH Klösterle Nördlingen, which combines modern facilities with a historic setting just a few minutes’ walk from the market square. For families or travellers who like a relaxed, contemporary feel, JUFA Hotel Nördlingen offers easy access to the old town and the walls while giving you plenty of space to unwind. If you prefer a more intimate, traditional base, Hotel Goldene Rose places you near one of the town gates and within easy walking distance of Saint George's Church and other central attractions.

Is Saint George’s Church Worth Visiting

Saint George's Church is absolutely worth visiting if you are in Nördlingen or travelling the Romantic Road. Architecturally, it is a beautiful Gothic hall church with a calm, light-filled interior and layers of history visible in its altars, windows and stonework. Climbing the tower provides one of the most memorable views in Bavaria, showcasing the perfectly preserved circular walls and the broader Ries crater landscape. As both an active place of worship and a key landmark in town life, it offers far more than a quick photo stop, and for many visitors it becomes one of the best places to visit in Nördlingen.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (533)

Saint George Church, at Marktpl. 10 in Nördlingen, is a late Gothic Lutheran church in the centre of the round town whose high tower is visible from every corner; visitors praise its simple but striking architecture and original artworks inside. Climbing to the viewing deck is a highlight — expect many steps (reviewers note about 345) and a payment collected near the top (around €4 mentioned), with a convenient bathroom partway up and rewarding panoramic views of the town.

Alice .H

3 months ago

"It's hard to climb the stairs, but there's a must-go. 4 euros can be paid from above."

Edward Rodrigues

3 years ago

"A gorgeous Lutheran Church. Very different from the ornate Catholic churches as its simple but the architecture is awesome with original artworks aswell adorning the walls. Another must visit site ...."

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david antoun

a year ago

"late Gothic medieval church. in the center of the round village and with the high tower it is noticable from every corner."

FAQs for Visiting Saint George’s Church

Yes, visitors can climb the church tower via more than 300 steps to a viewing platform with panoramic views over Nördlingen and the surrounding countryside, usually for a small additional fee.

The climb is fairly steep and involves narrow wooden stairways, but most reasonably fit visitors can manage it by taking their time and pausing at landings as needed.

There is no strict dress code, but as it is an active place of worship, modest clothing is appreciated, especially during services.

Yes, regular worship services are held and respectful visitors are generally welcome, though it is best to avoid walking around taking photos during the liturgy.

Photography is usually allowed outside of services, but always check for signs or ask discreetly; flash or tripods may be restricted to protect artworks and avoid disturbing others.

Nearby Attractions to the Saint George’s Church

Kirchturm Daniel: The church's own tower, offering a superb 360-degree view over Nördlingen's circular old town and the Ries crater.
Nördlingen Town Walls: A complete ring of medieval fortifications you can walk around, giving changing perspectives on Saint George's Church and the town.
Nördlingen City Museum (Stadtmuseum): Located in the historic Holy Spirit Hospital, with exhibits on local history from the Middle Ages to the modern era.
Rieskrater Museum: A specialised museum explaining the meteorite impact that formed the Ries crater, with impact rocks, meteorites and a planetarium.
Infozentrum Geopark Ries: A compact information centre on the local Geopark, with displays on geology, flora, fauna and walking routes in the surrounding crater landscape.

The Saint George's Church appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Nördlingen!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

April to October from 10:00 to 18:00; November to March from 10:00 to 16:00. Church Tours: Monday to Friday at 11:00 am, On weekends and public holidays at 3:30 pm

Price:

Church entry is usually free; expect a small fee of around €3.50-€5.00 per adult for climbing the tower, with concessions for children and families.

Address: Saint George Church, Marktplatz, Nördlingen, Germany

Nördlingen: 0 km

Official Website