Anklam reveals Icareum: future -oriented museum in the Nikolaikirche!

Anklam reveals Icareum: future -oriented museum in the Nikolaikirche!

Anklam, Deutschland - On June 19, 2025, the city of Anklam celebrated a significant construction progress in the redesign of the Nikolaikirche. This church, which has been a ruin since the Second World War and has been unused for over 45 years, is now being converted into a modern museum that will bear the name Icareum. The ambitious project is important not only for Anklam, but for the entire region, since it transforms the church from a sacred building to an international exhibition location. With this initiative, the rich history of the Nikolaikirche is recognized and a new chapter is opened at the same time.

The Nikolaikirche is a real piece of history - it dates from the founding time of the city 750 years ago and was the baptismal church of the flight pioneer Otto Lilienthal. "Cathedral of Aviation" is designed by the Icareum, which will in future be the home of the Otto Lilienthal Museum. This museum is devoted to engineer Lilienthal and will deal intensively with the topic of human flight. Historical quotes, including Otto Lilienthal himself and Nelson Mandela, will also play a role in the context of the project, which shows how narrow technology, civilization and peace are linked.

progress and vision

The project is currently in the third construction phase, which is the largest stage of the overall redesign. An essential part of this section is the expansion of the gallery without endangering the historical substance of the Church. The total investment volume amounts to a proud 10.5 million euros, whereby the redesign should be completed by 2027. This is intended to create a place that offers both cultural and tourist value - a real attraction for visitors from near and far.

The conversion of the Nikolaikirche into Icareum is not only an architectural project, but also a contribution to the cultural and tourist development of the region. The German Foundation for Monument Protection has already supported numerous projects, including those that protect and revitalize historical churches. This year, for example, over 350 monuments were encouraged to always preserve and make it accessible with the aim of preserving the important testimonials in German history. This fits perfectly with the project in Anklam, which shows an example of how monument protection can be implemented in an innovative way.

A look into the future

With the redesign of the Nikolaikirche, an important legacy is revived and filled with new content. Icareum will establish itself as a place where technology and nature are in line and invite visitors to deal with the history of flying and the legacy of Otto Lilienthal. And all of this happens in a building that tells a fascinating story and has shaped the silhouette of Anklams for centuries. The conversion is therefore not only an architectural, but also a cultural and historical project that will enrich the region.

to the memory: The Nikolaikirche is not only a memorial worth preserved, but also as a lively place of encounter and knowledge. Icareum not only benefits the current residents, but will also become a magnet for tourists and interested parties from all corners of the country. It remains exciting how the project will develop and what true treasures of human flight history can be presented here.

For more information on this fascinating project, the following links could be of interest: Coolis.de , lilienthal-museum.de and Denkmalschutz.de .