Munich - Trinity Church

(Local Name: Dreifaltigkeitskirch) During the War of the Spanish Succession a young Munich woman named Anna Maria Lindtmayr prophesied that divine judgment was about to fall upon the city, which would be saved only if a vow were made to build a church. Accordingly, when in 1704 Munich was threatened with fire and plunder, representatives of the town's nobility, clergy and citizenry made a solemn vow in the Frauenkirche "to cause to be built in our city a church with several altars for the greater worship of the Most Holy Trinity".

The church was designed by the Court Architect, Giovanni Antonio Viscardi, the foundation-stone being laid in 1711. After Viscardi's death in 1713 construction was completed by Ettenhofer and Zuccalli, including a tower which did not feature in the original plan. Built at huge cost the "facciada" was the first convex church facade in Bavaria. It is notable for its plastic sense of movement, vigorous rhythm and clear articulation. In a niche on the pediment is a figure of St Michael by Josef Fichtl (1726).

The interior is cruciform, with a square central area and a longer north arm containing the choir.

The high altar (1721-28) is by Fichtl. The altarpiece by Johann Andreas Wolff and Johannes Degler (1716-1717), depicting the Trinity over the city of Munich, was presented to the church by the Elector.

On the right-hand altar are a painting of St Joseph by Joseph Ruffini (1718) and figures of St John and St Peter by Andreas Faistenberger.

On the left-hand side altar can be seen a painting of St Teresa by Degler and figures of St John of the Cross and Elijah by Balthasar Ableithner.

The impressive frescoes are by Cosmas Damian Asam (1715): in the dome the Trinity (with a self-portrait of the artist - on right, by the northeast window), in the transept the Baptism of Christ and the Transfiguration.