St. Michael's Church
Sankt Michael
Renaissance Jesuit church built between 1583 and 1597 that stands as the largest Renaissance place of worship north of the Alps. It features a massive barrel vault and houses the royal tombs of the Bavarian Wittelsbach dynasty. Read more…
Admission
Free admission
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Constructed between 1583 and 1597 under the direction of architects Friedrich Sustris and Wendel Dietterlin, this Jesuit church represents a significant departure from late medieval traditions in Southern Germany. Modeled after Il Gesù in Rome, the building served as a spiritual center for the Counter-Reformation. Its architectural design, which showcases the transition from Renaissance to Baroque, influenced numerous churches throughout the German-speaking region.
The interior features one of the widest barrel vaults in Europe and an impressive facade. Although the structure suffered damage during World War II, it has since been restored to its former state. The church is recognized as a cultural heritage site and is considered the first major Renaissance-style church building in the area.
The site contains a crypt housing the tombs of the Bavarian Royal Family and the Dukes of Bavaria. As an active Roman Catholic church, it provides regular confession offerings, sermons, and liturgies with music. The building is open to the public and is listed as wheelchair accessible.
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