6 mind-blowing churches aside the Frauenkirche and St Peter
Special churches in Munich you should definitely visit
These unique churches in Munich have particularly exciting architecture, significant history or impressive splendor.
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1. Herz-Jesu-Kirche - the glass cube of Neuhausen
What makes the church so special: A church that does not look like one and that is exactly why it is so impressive: This is how one could describe the Catholic Parish Church Herz-Jesu-Kirche. The glass cube and the almost square facade of 20 by 16 metres almost remind on the straightness of Scandinavian architecture. The double doors on the façade can even be opened and reveal the cube of the translucent worship room inside. No wonder that the jewel of the Munich architects Allmann Sattler Wappner is known throughout Europe...
Insider fact: The blue glass plates show a cuneiform inscription by Alexander Beleschenko: The St. John Passion in a newly created alphabet made of nails.
Tip in the surrounding area: You can find the church at Lachnerstraße 8 - within walking distance from the Rotkreuzplatz square. Neuhausen is full of great locations - how about a snack at Café Ruffini?
2. The Asamkirche - baroque chic in the middle of Munich
What makes the church so special: You like grandeur, pomp and circumstance? Then you should take a closer look at the Catholic Church of St. John Nepomuk, or short: the "Asam Church" on Sendlinger Straße. One detail is more beautiful than the other - from the curved façade to St. John Nepomuk above the portal to the precious interior decoration. Stucco, marble, gold, garlands: The whole baroque repertoire is wonderfully exploited here - and all this in a very small space!
Insider fact: The church is an expression of true sibling love - or at least of the enormous love of design of two baroque masters: The Asam brothers designed the church as a private church in the 18th century - directly next to their baroque palace, the Asam House.
Tip in the surrounding area: Since the church is located on Sendlinger Straße 32 - directly in the pedestrian zone - it is of course worthwhile to go on a little shopping spree, and you will also find great Munich classics in the immediate vicinity - and that's what makes the church so special.
3. St. John of Capistran - the little pantheon of bricks
What makes the church so special: Its interior design - here you feel a bit like you're in the Pantheon in Rome. In the high room you find the opposite of gloomy devotional corners. The parish church of St. Johann von Capistran is also much too young for that - it was built in 1960 according to a design by academy professor Sep Ruf, when the "Munich Park City" east of Bogenhausen grew more and more. You will not find the formal clarity of the round building with its 12.5 meter high exterior wall a second time in Munich. And the so-called exposed brickwork provides you with wonderfully luminous photo motifs...
Insider-Fact: The church does not only look very modern - if you are lucky, you will experience a gospel concert or a bazaar there. Another advantage: It is located directly in a small park on Gotthelfstraße...
Tip in the surroundings: In Bogenhausen there is of course a lot to see: Nearby you will find the Evangelical Lutheran Nazareth Church. And if you've had enough of sightseeing: The Zamdorfer Wirtshaus is suitable for a cosy stop...
4. St. Michael (Berg am Laim) - Court Chapel of the Order of Knights
What makes the church so special: The political history and baroque grace meet here. The Cologne Elector and Archbishop Joseph Clemens donated the Brotherhood and Court Church to the Order of Knights of St. Michael next to the Hofmark Castle Josephsburg. For the Cologne Elector, St. Michael became a magnificent symbol of his power - especially in relation to his brother, the Bavarian Elector Karl Albrecht. This claim is also reflected in the unique baroque architecture and rococo decorations. So you can still breathe aristocratic air here today!
Insider fact: The elite of Bavarian artists immortalized themselves in the church. In addition to the ceiling frescos, the high altar painting on which Archangel Michael defeats Satan is fascinating.
Tip in the surrounding area: In Berg am Laim you don't hang around much - after all, the Ostpark is not far away. And the traditional bavarian Schneider Bräuhaus is only a stone's throw away from the Catholic parish church at Baumkirchnerstraße 1.
5. Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche - the oldest church in Munich
What makes the church so special: Its history - the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche (Church of the holy cross) in Fröttmaning is regarded as the oldest church in Munich. Celtic origins have been proven at its location and the church was already mentioned in documents in 815. Parts of today's church are still from that time - the late Romanesque building was then constructed between the 11th and 12th century. The interior was later changed to baroque. Sounds like an exciting history lesson!
Insider fact: Curiously, about 150 meters south of the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche there is an exact replica of the building made of painted concrete parts (left in the photo). The double „Versunkenes Dorf" (sunken Village) is built into the Fröttmaninger Berg and is only half visible. The work of art by Timm Ulrichs, which was erected in 2006, reflects the architectural history of the north of Munich - since the original church (in the right of the photo) is the last remnant of the former village of Fröttmaning, which disappeared in the 1960s.
Tip in the surrounding area: The church at Situlistraße 81 is located in the middle of the renaturalised area around Fröttmaninger Berg, which was created out of rubble in post-war Munich. The hill with its distinctive windmill on top is never overrun and from its peak you have a great view of the church, its double and the Allianz Arena soccer stadium in the background. By the way: The latter is also worth a visit...
6. St. Michael - the first Renaissance church in Germany
What makes the church so special: In the middle of the pedestrian zone, on Neuhauser Straße, people come together to take a break from shopping or sightseeing. But St. Michael's Church is also itself a sight to behold: with 400 years of history, it is considered the first Renaissance church in Germany and not only features a monumental façade, but also an imposing and spacious interior with a high roof truss. The famous altarpiece of the Angel's Fall is only one of the many highlights of the Jesuit Church.
Insider fact: The nave with almost 20 meters of barrel vaulting is the second largest in the world after St. Peter's in Rome. No wonder that the building is so overflowing - for it was considered a Catholic monument of the Counter Reformation.
Tip in the area: You really need tips in the city centre? Don't worry, besides the usual suspects we have a wonderful tour of the historic city center for you.
