Schelf church

The Schelf Church of St Nicholas stands in Schwerin’s Schelfstadt quarter beside the lake. Built originally in 1238, it was rebuilt in 1713 after a storm in the Baroque style we see today. The church belongs to an Evangelical Lutheran congregation and serves as the family burial place of the House of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Sophia Louise of Mecklenburg-Schwerin is among those interred here. Its tall tower and slate roof rise above the surrounding streets. The church is worth the journey for its fine Baroque interior and royal associations. Architect Leonhard Christoph Sturm contributed to its design in the early 18th century. The building also holds historical records from the 14th century onwards. Visitors can see the vaulted nave and the ornate pulpit installed after the rebuilding. The church’s setting near Schwerin’s lake adds to its quiet presence. Inside, the whitewashed walls and large arched windows let in steady light. The Baroque pulpit stands against the north wall, richly carved and gilded. Below the church lie vaulted burial chambers where members of the ducal family rest. The tower offers a view over the lake and the old town. Outside, the square in front is paved with cobblestones and lined with lime trees.