Jesuit Church of St. Michael: Germany's first Renaissance church

Jesuit Church of St. Michael: facts and info

• The Jesuit Church of St. Michael is considered the first Renaissance church north of the Alps.
• Among others, Elector Maximilian I and King Ludwig II rest in the crypt.
• After the Second World War, the barrel vault was rebuilt. From 2009 to 2013, the church of St. Michael was renovated.

Historical personalities in the Wittelsbach princely crypt

The Jesuit Church of St. Michael is located on Neuhauser Straße, in between Marienplatz and Stachus (Karlsplatz). Built between 1583 and 1597 by Duke Wilhelm V, it is considered the first Renaissance church north of the Alps and was the model for Baroque church building in southern Germany.

For example, Wilhelm V, Elector Maximilian I as well as King Ludwig II rest in the Wittelsbach princely crypt. When it was built, the church also housed a Jesuit college. Nevertheless, St. Michael was never intended to serve only as a college church.

Architecture and structure of the church

The mighty barrel vault in the interior collapsed after air raids in World War II and was rebuilt in the post-war years. The facade incorporates 15 figures of former rulers, who are supposed to keep away evil and promote good. At the top of the church stands Jesus Christ watching over Munich. Since spring 2013, the church has shone in new splendor after four years of renovation.

Several times a day, church services invite visitors to stay. The long interior reflects the life of Jesus: The vault shows his life journey - accompanied by angels - from his childhood on. The church interior demonstrates counter-Reformation strength: the vault, the choir arch and the arches to the side altars appear as triumphal arches based on ancient models.