Munich - Cathedral Church of Our Lady Frauenkirche

The Munich Frauenkirche has been the cathedral and metropolitan church of the South Bavarian ecclesiastical provinces since the establishment of the archbishopric of Munich and Freising in 1821.

This brick-built Late Gothic church owes its impact to its great size (109m/358ft by 40m/131ft), its high walls, its clear articulation and its lack of ornament.

Must-see attractions nearby:

Cathedral Church of Our Lady

New Town Hall

Marien Square

Bavarian State Opera House

Asam Church

Hellabrunn Zoo

Bavarian National Museum

With its sturdy twin towers, rearing up to a height of 99m and 100m/325ft and 328ft, it is Munich's most celebrated landmark.

The Frauenkirche was built in 1468-88 by Jörg Halspach (known as Ganghofer) on the site of an earlier chapel dedicated to the Virgin. In 1525, in place of the spires originally planned by Halspach, the two towers were given their characteristic Renaissance domes, the green patina of which harmonizes well with the dark red brick. The carved medallions on the five doorways were the work of Ignaz Günther (1772). The church was severely damaged in 1944-45, restoration being completed in 1953.

The interior of this aisled hall-church, with 22 tall octagonal pillars in two rows, was remodeled in Renaissance style in 1601 but reconverted to a Gothic design in 1858. As rebuilt after its destruction in the last war it has a simply conceived but very effective whitewash interior.

Viewed from the porch the aisles and side windows are invisible, the octagonal pillars of the nave having the appearance of a wall; at one time the window of the choir was also obscured by the high altar. Legend has it that the Devil came to inspect the church after its completion and was so delighted that the windows had been forgotten that he stamped his foot, leaving a print in the porch that can still be seen.

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