Munich Cathedral. Secrets of the Frauenkirche in Munich: construction history and interesting facts. Stages of construction of the Frauenkirche

The Frauenkirche Cathedral in Munich (German: Frauenkirche) is a tourist symbol of Bavaria and the greatest architectural monument in Germany. The official name is the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary (German: Der Dom zu Unserer Lieben Frau). The temple is located near the central square Marienplatz (German: Marienplatz), and its towers offer panoramic views of the city. Since the 15th century, the church in the late Gothic style has been considered the main attraction of Munich.

About Frauenkirche in Munich

The Frauenkirche Cathedral is a functioning Catholic church of the diocese of Freising and Munich. The cathedral was built as a result of the secularization of the episcopacy and the merger of the parish and collegiate churches under Wittelsbach and is a symbol of the political power of the dynasty, the personification of the union of the throne and religion.

In 2004, the authorities decided not to erect buildings higher than the Frauenkirche in Munich in order to preserve its cultural and architectural value.

Munich's Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the oldest church of the patroness in the diocese and the tallest building in the city. The height of the towers is 98.5 m, the length of the nave is 109 m, and the height is 40 m.
History of the cathedral

The construction of the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary is closely connected with the reign of the Wittelsbacher dynasty (German: Wittelsbacher). To strengthen his position on the throne, Duke Sigismund decided to build a new parish church. Subsequently, it became a family crypt, in the crypt of which the rulers of Bavaria and the Palatinate were buried.
The temple never belonged to the people, but was a symbol of the Wittelsbachs.

Before this, their family church was considered the Marienkirche, around which Der Dom zu Unserer Lieben Frau was built. The Frauenkirche can accommodate 20 thousand parishioners, although at the time of construction, the population in Munich did not exceed 13 thousand inhabitants.
Stages of construction of the Frauenkirche

Construction of the temple began in 1468. The project was implemented by the famous architect Jörg von Halspach, who supervised the construction of the Old Town Hall on Marienplatz.
In 1494, the main facade was erected, the cathedral was consecrated and opened to parishioners. The architect himself did not live to see the completion of construction.

Further work was carried out until 1525. The last to be built were the domes and towers.

In 1599, a triumphal arch decorated with stucco was additionally erected in the temple, and in 1620 the image of the “Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary” appeared on the main altar.

In 1821, the cathedral became the episcopal residence, which led to a radical reorganization of the interior.

After World War II, the church suffered greatly. In 1989-1994. A complete reconstruction of the temple was carried out.

Features of the cathedral architecture: appearance and interior

In the 15th century in Germany, it was believed that Renaissance and Baroque were more suitable for secular architecture, while religious buildings should be in the Gothic style. Therefore, the church is a laconic brick building in the late Gothic style with elements of eclecticism and baroque.
The main part of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built in 20 years. Then construction was suspended due to lack of funds, which affected the architecture of the temple, which combines several styles and trends.
Frauenkirche is a five-nave cathedral without a transept with two towers. Inside there are 22 massive columns supporting the roof. They visually conceal the space, so it may seem that the capacity of the church is smaller than it actually is.

Initially, it was planned to decorate the domes with spiers, as in the Cologne Cathedral, but under the influence of architectural trends of the Renaissance, this idea was abandoned.
The design of the Frauenkirche was borrowed from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, made according to Byzantine designs. This created a bright contrast against the background of strict Gothic.

When the Frauenkirche became an episcopal cathedral, the interior design of the temple changed, in particular its altar.
What the walls of the temple hide: shrines and relics

The history of the Frauenkirche dates back five centuries, but its construction is still shrouded in secrets and legends. At the time of construction, similar structures did not exist in Bavaria. Particularly questionable was the rapid construction of the church in 20 years, which was an incredibly short period of time for such a structure.
The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not only an amazing example of late Gothic, but also a valuable cultural heritage of Germany, the walls of which keep more than one secret.
Wittelsbach Monument - Cenotaph of Ludwig IV

An important part of Frauenkirche are sculptures. In the southern wing there is a cenotaph, installed in 1622 on the initiative of Elector Maximilian I in honor of the deceased Emperor Ludwig of Bavaria. The cenotaph is intended to emphasize the importance of Ludwig IV for the Catholic faith, because in the history of the reign of the Wittelsbach dynasty, he occupies a central place.
Inside the marble crypt there is a Gothic plaque. However, the authorship of the slab has not yet been established. The remains of the ruler himself are not here, since he is buried in the crypt along with the rest of the representatives of the monarchy.
Next to the monument there are two bronze statues of Duke William IV (1508-1550) and Albrecht V (1550-1579), as well as four kneeling standard-bearers, creating a single sculptural composition.
Teufelstreet - the devil's trail

The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary is an atypical religious building for 15th-century Bavaria. Its architecture has inspired many myths that are passed down by local residents from generation to generation. The most famous of them is der Teufelstritt or the trace of the devil.
At the entrance to the cathedral there is a footprint on the floor, according to legend, left by Lucifer himself. During the construction of the Frauenkirche, a deal was allegedly made between the architect and the devil: Satan promised to help in the construction of the church in exchange for the soul of the architect.
At that time, there were an abundance of religious buildings in Munich. Satan was afraid that the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary would weaken his position, so he decided to make a temple that would not attract parishioners.
When construction was completed, the devil came to collect the debt. Entering through the main gate, he laughed, because there was not a single window inside, which means that such a temple could not be of any use. Out of joy, the demon kicked the floor, leaving his imprint on it. But when I took another step, I saw light falling through the glass. Enraged, he turned into the wind and tried to break the windows, which failed as people crowded into the church.
Indeed, when entering the church, the side windows are not visible. From 1622 to 1860, they were obscured by a huge Renaissance altar depicting the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, made by P. Candide.
There is another legend of the Frauenkirche Cathedral, according to which the devil in the guise of a storm is still trying to get inside and break the windows, so it is always windy around the temple.
An echo of the origins of Catholicism - mechanical watches

Accurate timekeeping has become a necessary part of Western religion since the Middle Ages. Divine services began at the same time, for which they set clocks in churches. They not only determined when to begin prayer, but also symbolized praise to God and the transience of life.
The cathedral has a unique mechanical clock that shows a puppet show - the intercession of Jesus and Mary before God the Father.

The dial also shows the solar system, lunar phases, and zodiac signs.
In 1749, during restoration, a crowing rooster was installed into the clock mechanism. But under the influence of different eras, the watch case changed several times, so it was not preserved in its original form. Today, the built-in musical accompaniment remains, which makes the entire structure unique.
Frauenkirche crypt – crypt of the Wittelsbach dynasty

Behind the walls of the central altar there is a crypt - the burial place of monarchs, archbishops and cardinals. The Frauenkirche crypt is a family crypt where the remains of the rulers of the Wittelsbach dynasty are buried.
Each grave is decorated into a tomb with a memorial plaque. The room is made of brick and does not differ in lush artistic decoration, although back in the 19th century the crypt was decorated with bas-reliefs, paintings, and stucco, which were removed after reconstruction. Tourists are prohibited from entering this part of the temple.
Opening hours and visiting the cathedral

The cathedral is open daily from 7.30 to 20.30. There are restrictions on tourists visiting the temple during church services. Parish office opening hours:
from 8.30 to 12.30;

from 14.00 to 16.30 from Monday to Thursday;

from 8.30 to 12.30 on Friday.

Sightseeing tours are available on Sundays from May to September and at 15.00 on Thursdays. The entrance to the towers is temporarily closed: reconstruction work is underway.
The schedule of excursions, as well as upcoming events held in the temple, are available on the official website.

How to get to the cathedral: route and address

Frauenkirche is located near the central square of Marienplatz at Frauenplatz 12. The Marienplatz (Theatinerstraße) stop is nearby. You can get there by metro or city train, as well as by public transport 19 and N19.
Churches of Munich - the spiritual heritage of Bavaria

Religious buildings are key attractions in Munich. Each church is an echo of a certain era, which is reflected in the architectural style of the buildings. Although the Frauenkirche in Munich occupies the central place among the religious buildings of Bavaria, the following temples are no less significant in the history of the region:
Official name Years of construction, architectural style, confession
Azamkirche (German: Asamkirche) or Church of St. John of Nepomuk 1733-1746, Baroque, Catholicism
Church of St. Luke (German: Lukaskirche) 1893-1896, Romanesque style with Gothic elements, Protestantism
Church of St. Mark (German: St. Markus) 1873-1876, neo-Gothic, Lutheranism
Church of St. Michael (German: Jesuitenkirche St. Michael) 1583-1597, Renaissance architecture, Catholicism
Church of St. Peter (German: St. Peter) or “Alter Peter” 1181, Romanesque style, Catholicism
Theatinerkirche (German: Theatinerkirche) 1663-1690, Baroque, Catholicism
Conclusion

The Frauenkirche Cathedral is a Gothic palace, a family crypt and a valuable architectural monument of the 15th century that attracts tourists from all over the world. Not a single photo will convey the atmosphere of mystery of this place. Here lies the history of the greatest dynasty and reflects the original culture of Bavaria.
Frauenkirche. Munich. Saint Benno: Video

Official name	Years of construction, architectural style, confession
Azamkirche (German: Asamkirche) or Church of St. John of Nepomuk	1733-1746, Baroque, Catholicism
Church of St. Luke (German: Lukaskirche)	1893-1896, Romanesque style with Gothic elements, Protestantism
Church of St. Mark (German: St. Markus)	1873-1876, neo-Gothic, Lutheranism
Church of St. Michael (German: Jesuitenkirche St. Michael)	1583-1597, Renaissance architecture, Catholicism
Church of St. Peter (German: St. Peter) or “Alter Peter”	1181, Romanesque style, Catholicism
Theatinerkirche (German: Theatinerkirche)	1663-1690, Baroque, Catholicism

The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also called Frauenkirche, is one of the symbols of Munich, as well as the tallest church in the city (99 meters). At a meeting of city officials in 2004, it was decided to prohibit the construction of buildings above it.

The cathedral is located near Marienplatz square. The history of the building is directly related to the Wittelsbach monarchy. The cathedral, in addition to its direct purpose, was to be used by the rulers of Bavaria as a family crypt.

The interior of the cathedral is surprising in that it is made in light colors: usually a darker atmosphere reigns in medieval Gothic churches. Daylight pours through the stained glass windows with images of saints. 22 columns hold up the vault of the building. When you stand at the entrance, you can hardly see the windows because of the columns and it seems as if light is streaming from nowhere. All this creates an unexpected feeling of spaciousness and lightness. Inside, attention is drawn to the tombstone of the Holy Roman Emperor Ludwig IV of Bavaria. It is decorated with the symbols of the dynasty and sculptures of kneeling knights. Also worth paying attention to is the Benno arch decorated with baroque stucco in the central nave near the choir. The fountain opposite the entrance portal also bears the name of this saint. The main altar is decorated in the same style, painted with the image of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary.

There is a footprint in one of the stone floor tiles right at the entrance to the cathedral. Several legends are associated with it. It is believed that the mark was left by the devil himself, who snuck into the church on the day construction was completed. Not seeing the windows, he laughed and kicked. According to another legend, the architect entered into an agreement with the evil spirit that he would help him build a building in exchange for the soul of the first parishioner. On the day of completion, he refused to fulfill the condition, pointing out the lack of windows. The devil stomped in anger.

The observation deck of the South Tower can be reached by elevator, but you will have to walk up the stairs to get to the elevator. Access to the tower is available from April 1 to October 31. On Catholic holidays, services are held in the cathedral.

Photos of Frauenkirche

Opening hours: from Saturday to Wednesday from 7.00 to 19.00, on Thursday from 7.00 to 20.30, on Friday from 7.00 to 18.00. Ticket prices: admission to the cathedral is free. Climbing the tower costs 3 euros for adults, for children – 1.5 euros. How to get there: Marienplatz metro station is nearby. Address: Frauenplatz 12, 80331 München, Germany Website.

Frauenkirche (Cathedral of the Virgin Mary)

Munich has many faces, is vibrant and unpredictable. Having experienced many merciless wars and several times devastated by epidemics, having survived the capture by foreigners during the Thirty Years' War of the 17th century and changing its appearance during the years of National Socialism, the city today amazes with its versatility and rich history. Among the monuments of old Munich, one of the central roles in the history of the city was played and continues to play to this day by the cathedral - Frauenkirche (German). Frauenkirche — "Cathedral of the Virgin Mary"). As the tallest building in old Munich, it is the first one visible to everyone arriving in the Bavarian capital. It was precisely this goal that Duke Sigismund of Bavaria pursued when he laid the first stone in the foundation of the future church in February 1468.

The Frauenkirche was built in record time: it took only 20 years to build a structure that could accommodate up to 20 thousand people (taking into account the fact that the population of Munich at the end of the 15th century was only 13 thousand). The Church can rightfully be called the Church of the whole people, since There was not a person in medieval Munich who did not take part in the construction of the temple. Pope Sixtus IV also provided assistance in the construction of the church, who promised absolution to everyone who went to Munich and donated their weekly earnings for the construction of the cathedral. One of the cathedral portals is named in honor of the pope.

In the 20s of the 16th century, the construction of the Frauenkirche towers was completed. After the war of 1503 - 1505. Between the two lines of the Wittelsbach rulers of Bavaria, during which guns were installed on them to protect the city, the towers received characteristic completions, the shape of which refers us to the Temple of the Rock in Jerusalem.

The cathedral's architect was Jörg von Halsbach, who also designed the Old Town Hall on Marienplatz. The city council chose this architect because he proposed to build the church entirely out of brick. This was beneficial since there were no quarries near Munich. One thing is connected with Jörg von Halsbach one of the most popular legends among Munich residents. It says that the architect, despairing of the scale of the construction, entered into an agreement with the devil: the latter agreed to help in the construction of the church, but on the condition that there would not be a single window in it. The architect, however, deceived the devil. He designed the arrangement of twenty-two pylons in such a way that at the entrance to the cathedral the numerous windows were not visible. The devil, who came to accept the work, saw that the architect had fooled him. In a rage, he stomped on the stone slab at the entrance to the cathedral and disappeared. His footprint is still visible at this place.

However, the power of the cathedral is determined not only by the devil’s participation in its construction, but also by its very dimensions: the church reaches 109 m in length, 40 m in width, and the height of the towers is about 100 m. At the same time, the interior design is striking in Gothic asceticism, severity and simplicity. But still real values are far from obvious and, taking a closer look, you can see that the Frauenkirche hides real treasures. What does the largest one in Germany cost, for example? collection of wooden figures of the apostles and the Old Testament prophets of the Munich master Erasmus Grasser. Or created in Vienna mechanical watch from the 15th century, which is one of the oldest still functioning clocks in Germany. In addition to their impressive size, the figures of God the Father, Jesus and Mary are surprising: every day at exactly 12.10 after the rooster flaps its wings three times, God the Father takes out a sword and freezes, starting a dialogue with people. At this time, Jesus and Mary are kneeling before him, begging for human sins.

Without a doubt, the gaze of visitors to the cathedral is also drawn to cenotaph(tombstone over an empty grave) of Ludwig of Bavaria - Duke of Bavaria and Holy Roman Emperor. It was erected by the first elector of the state, Maximilian I. memory of a glorious ancestor, who was an example of a wise, fair and successful ruler for all Wittelsbachs.

On the sides of the cathedral there are numerous chapels- burial places of members of wealthy and privileged Munich families. The right to establish a personal chapel was given to those who could order an “eternal mass” for themselves, that is, the regular mention of their name during divine services. Donations for these masses were the source of livelihood for the canons of the cathedral until the reforms of Napoleon. Among the most noteworthy chapels is the Chapel of St. Sebastian, the altarpiece of which was presumably painted by Anthony Van Dyck, the chapel of St. Catherine of Alexandria, which contains a vessel with a relic - a particle of the hand of Pope Pius X, donated to the Frauenkirche during the Eucharistic Council in 1960. Also noteworthy is the Chapel of Anna, Mary and the Child Jesus (German). Anna- Selbdritt), arranged by the rulers of Bavaria. In addition to the figures of Saints George (the patron saint of Kyiv and Moscow) and the Bavarian knight Rasso, we see here a statue made of wood St. Christopher(Greek Χριστοφορος - “bearer of Christ”) - a giant carrying the baby Jesus on his shoulders and holding a tree branch in his hands. According to legend, one of the hermits sent Christopher, a Roman of enormous stature, to transport people across a dangerous ford. One day a little boy asked to be carried across the river.

Christopher took it, but in the middle of the river he felt an incredible burden: the boy explained to him that he was Christ and carried with him all the burdens of the world. Then the boy invited Christopher to stick a lifeless tree branch into the ground, which soon turned into a fertile tree. This miracle converted many to the Christian faith. The legend of St. Christopher is one of the most beloved by the Bavarians, so the figure takes its rightful place in the altar of the cathedral.

Also noteworthy is the epitaph to one of the cathedral's pastors, Johannes Neuhauser, located at the entrance to the sacristy. It depicts a skeleton eaten away by worms - a frequent motif in the Vanitas style (lat. vanitas- "bustle"). Such images were intended to remind us of the transience of life and the inevitability of death. Ideologically, this style in the art of the Baroque era is based on the famous verse from the book of the Old Testament prophet Ecclesiastes, “vanity of vanities—all is vanity.”

Both for the cathedral and Saint Benno is an important figure for all Munich residents- bishop of the 11th century. His remains are also kept in one of the chapels of the cathedral, having been moved here in the 16th century, at the height of the confrontation between Catholics and Protestants. The "rescue" of the saint's relics was perceived by the Bavarians as a sign of the truth and strength of their Catholic faith. From the end of the 16th century. St. Benno is considered the patron saint of Bavaria. Above the entrance to the saint's chapel there is a fish with a bunch of keys. This image refers us to another legend. According to it, Benno once, due to political intrigues, had to leave his place as a bishop and retire. When he returned three years later, the residents did not recognize him, and he settled in a tavern as a simple wanderer. Benno brought the innkeeper an unusually large fish that he had caught in the river. While cooking, the keys to the cathedral were found in its gills, which Benno threw into the river before leaving. The news of the bishop's return instantly spread throughout the city and caused the people to rejoice. It is worth noting that in Christianity the fish is a symbol of Christ, and the keys are a symbol of power, which Christ passed on to his disciple the Apostle Peter.

Holy of Holies of the Cathedral - main choir chapel. In addition to the figure of Mary, made at the beginning of the 16th century. made of ivory, attracts attention image of the Patron Virgin Mary(or Madonna with a Robe, German. Schutzmantelmadonna). On the right side kneeling before Mary are representatives of the clergy, on the left are the secular classes. With her cloak, Madonna seems to cover the Munich citizens, protecting and preserving them. The cathedral, of course, is also protected by Mary: despite its impressive age, numerous changes and reconstructions, severe destruction during the war, the Frauenkirche still retains its majesty and, being in the very heart of Munich, sanctifies the life of the city. I. despite all life changes, remains unchanged, providing strong and clear guidelines

Yuri Snegirev, historian, master's student at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich

Svetlana Moroz, historian, guide (Munich, Bavaria)

Due to the richness of its architecture, it was called “Florence on the Elbe” in literature. Monuments of architecture in the Baroque style made the city famous throughout the world.

Third on the list of attractions

The Zwinger palace and park complex, the Marcolini Palace and the Japanese Palace, the Kreuzkirche church - these are not all the legendary Frauenkirche (St. Mary's Church) - the brightest of them.

It ranks third in the list of the main unique objects of Dresden and all of Germany. The main and largest Lutheran church of the city has an extraordinary and mysterious history, dating back to the 11th century, to the times when the Slavic people Sobra (or Lusatians - West Slavic people, Lusatian Serbs) lived on the territory of Dresden.

History of origin

On the site of the Frauenkirche church (Dresden), long before the founding of the city itself, a small church of the same name existed. A century later, around 1142, there was a religious building made in the Romanesque style (a turret was added in the 15th century). By 1722, it had become so dilapidated that it could not be reconstructed at all, which is why the decision was made to demolish it. The magnificent cathedral, erected on a vacant site in 1726-1742 and designed for 3,500 seats, is just one of those architectural monuments in the Baroque style for which Dresden is famous.

Frauenkirche - It was erected by order of August the Strong (1670-1733), King of Poland and Saxon Elector (Imperial Prince). Initially, it was conceived as an object that was supposed to outshine Catholic cathedrals, although Augustus I himself was a Catholic.

Main Lutheran Church

The huge but graceful temple, after its opening, became a symbol of the Reformation (the struggle in Western Europe in the 16th century against Catholicism and papal power). The Frauenkirche (Dresden) was originally given to the city's Lutheran community. Dresden is listed in brackets because there is a church of the same name in Munich. It can be added that it was in this cathedral that the famous German composer Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672) was buried. After the demolition of the original church, his grave was lost, but in the restored cathedral there is a mention of the burial.

A striking feature

The height of the Church of St. Mary is 95 meters. It is visible from every corner of the city, and is especially beautiful from the Carolbrucke (Carol Bridge). From this angle, the church especially amazes with its grandeur.

The famous Georg Behr (1666-1738) managed to create a real masterpiece of Baroque art that Dresden is proud of. The Frauenkirche (church) stands out from all the buildings in the city with its unique huge 12-ton dome (among those built entirely of stone, it is the largest in the world), which has no additional supports inside the building.

Engineering solutions that were ahead of their time

The structure of the dome of the amazing Dresden building, which at that time was a construction miracle, was incredibly strong. According to historical evidence, during the Seven Years' War, the artillery of the Prussian King Frederick II fired about 100 shells specifically at the dome, which, due to the strength of the structure, did not cause the slightest harm to the dome. Only American aircraft could destroy it, destroying almost all of Dresden on February 13, 1945. The Frauenkirche also turned into ruins.

In general, on Neumarkt Square, except for some miraculously surviving monument, not a single building remains.

Restoration movement

The temperature of which reached 1400 degrees, destroyed everything. But the melted parts of the organ protected the amazing altar of the church; it hid in a kind of cocoon. This is the only reason why the details of the altar were preserved, and they were used in its restoration. Since 1989, a movement of concerned public began under the name “Action-Frauenkirche”, led by Ludwig Güttler, a world-famous trumpeter and conductor. They were going to restore the church with donations, and they received them in the amount of $100 million from 26 countries. But the restoration of this cathedral began in earnest only after the reunification of Germany, specifically in 1996.

The only one preserved

Restoration using archaeological reconstruction continued until 2005. Today this object cannot be called a new building, if only because during its restoration it was possible to use 43% of the building material of the old building; it was erected according to original, historical drawings. A small wooden bell tower has been installed next to the construction site since the start of work. The only surviving bell (of the former four), made in 1732, was hung in it. In general, the history of the bells of this church deserves a separate article.

Beautiful outside and inside

The outside of the cathedral is lined with sandstone slabs in warm colors. They contain similar parts from the burnt building. The ancient slabs are darker and give the building a unique look, and also serve as a reminder of the tragic fate of the cathedral.

The Frauenkirche Church in Dresden is famous not only for its external grandeur, but also for its rich interior decoration. The light yellow color of the walls creates a solemn atmosphere, full of air and peace. The height of the inner part of the dome is 26 meters. It is divided into eight sectors, decorated with paintings and gold. Four of them depict evangelists, the rest depict allegories of Christian virtues - Faith, Hope, Love and Charity. The altar, restored to its original beauty, above which is the organ, is magnificent. In the center of the altar there is a sculptural painting depicting the prayers of Christ on the night of Good Friday on the Mount of Olives. The entire reconstruction cost the country 180 million euros.

Church today

Frauenkirche Church is the current Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral. The church is also attractive because it regularly hosts wonderful organ and bell concerts. About 130 concerts are given at St. Mary's Church each year.

After restoration, a wonderful observation deck was equipped on the dome, giving the opportunity to look at Dresden from the height of the dome. The Frauenkirche as a cathedral and as a place for panoramic views is very popular among residents and visitors of the city.

On weekdays, the cathedral and its observation deck are open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturdays from 12 p.m. The climb costs 8 euros; there are discounts for pensioners and students.

Frauenkirche in Munich (Germany) - description, history, location. Exact address and website. Tourist reviews, photos and videos.

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The main temple of Munich and the indispensable dominant feature of its architectural appearance, the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, more often called the Frauenkirche, is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture and one of the most revered cathedrals in Germany. Its two bell towers, topped with domes covered with dark green tin, rise above the city to an unprecedented height - 99 m, and the long nave with a gable tiled roof is very reminiscent of Noah's Ark. Inside there is a forest of snow-white columns converging into ribbed arches, an abundance of memorial plaques (including from the last two Popes), amazing stained glass windows and beautiful bas-reliefs. Lovers of mystical stories come to Frauenkirche to see with their own eyes the imprint of the devil's foot - the construction of the cathedral is shrouded in the most incredible legends.

“The Devil's Footprint” is a dark imprint of a man's shoe in a marble slab of the Frauenkirche Cathedral.

A little history

The Frauenkirche Cathedral was founded in 1468 by order of Duke Sigismund, the work was led by the architect Jörg von Halsbach. For reasons of economy and due to insufficient supplies of local stone, the temple was built of brick. When funds ran out in 1479, construction continued with the personal indulgence of Pope Sixtus IV. The bell towers of the cathedral were completed in 1488, but stood without a roof until 1525, the reason for which was the same financial difficulties. As a result, the towers were covered with green steel domes in the Renaissance style, so recognizable today, taking the shape of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem as a basis. In 1494, the cathedral was consecrated and today, like 5 centuries ago, it receives numerous parishioners. By the way, its capacity is 20 thousand people, while the population of Munich in the 16th century was 13 thousand. During the Second World War, the temple was seriously damaged and completely restored the architectural losses only in 1994.

What to see

The towers of the Frauenkirche are visible from almost anywhere in Munich, partly due to the fact that the city is legally prohibited from building taller buildings. It is most convenient to appreciate the monumental appearance of the cathedral from afar, since up close it is quite sandwiched by historical buildings. Literally everything in the design of the temple is remarkable: the 109-meter nave, covered with a bright red gable roof, the monumental bell towers and the winning contrast of their green domes, as well as the overall appearance, which is too rounded and “soft” for Gothic.

Inside, the visitor is greeted by a real forest of snow-white columns, turning at the top into crosshairs of decorative arches. Despite the actual abundance of windows, many of which are decorated with wonderful stained glass, they are almost invisible behind the columns. Legend has it that the cathedral's architect made a deal with the devil so that he would not interfere with its construction. In return, the architect promised to build a temple without windows. In confirmation of this unusual agreement, anyone can verify the “footprint of the devil” - the dark imprint of a man’s shoe on the threshold of the cathedral. The marble cenotaph of Emperor Louis IV, interesting for its skillful sculptures, is also worth seeing.

On the towers of the cathedral there is an ensemble of 10 bells cast from the 14th century to the present day. The heaviest bell, the Suzanne, dates back to 1490 and is recognized as one of the largest in Bavaria.

Practical information

Address: Munich, Frauenplatz, 1.

Opening hours: from Saturday to Wednesday from 7:00 to 19:00, on Thursday - until 20:30, on Friday - until 18:00. It makes sense to attend the morning mass at 9:00 to enjoy the special atmosphere of the temple.

Admission is free, donations are welcome.