Frauenkirche (Cathedral Church of Our Lady)
Originally built 1468, the cathedral sustained much damage in WWII and reconstruction efforts lasted until 1994. Today it is a symbol of Munich and easy to see from anywhere in the city. It is a Catholic church, the religion of most Bavarians.
Legend has it that the architect, Jörg von Halspach, was challenged by the devil to create a cathedral without windows. Halspach accepted the challenge and when the church was finished he let the devil take a look of the "windowless" church that he had built. The devil, being beaten, stamped his foot on the floor and left in a rage. The footprint marks the spot where not one side window can be seen inside the church. Take one step forward and you can see the many windows that light up the church.
In the back of the church is the grave of Louis IV from the House of Wittelsbach. He was a Holy Roman Emperor, like several Wittelsbachs during Roman times. He died in 1348 after suffering stroke. His grave is the large, black, ornate tomb.
Asam Church
Built by the Asam brothers (pioneering artists of the Rococo period) between 1733 and 1746, the Asam Church is the most ornate and glitzy church built in Munich. The church is small, with only about 15 pews, and filled with stucco ornaments, stucco figures and frescoes.
The church was built in dedication to St. John of Nepomuk (the patron saint of those lost at sea). Painted on the ceiling is a giant fresco depicting the life of St. John of Nepomuk.
The outside of Asam church was designed so that it looks like it was built into a mountain side.
The Asam Church is close to Marienplatz and should definitely be visited while in Munich.
Outside the Frauenkirche in Munich
Inside the Asamkirch, Munich
