The church was built during the 13th century, and destroyed in a fire in 1795. It took quite a while for the reconstruction. Finally Copenhagens city fathers decided in 1917 to build a new Nikolaj Kirke.
Today the church is a popular host for exhibitions of modern art. There is also a coffee house and a restaurant included. Nikolaj Kirke is a good place to have a rest after a busy day on the lively Stroget shopping street.