The Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche) is Munich’s impressive main cathedral. This gothic construction was designed by architect Jörg von Halsbach and built using striking red bricks in the 15th century. Its green Renaissance-style domes were added in 1525. They were built to protect the towers until more expensive spires could be constructed, but they soon became an integral feature of the building’s image and were permanently kept.
Though the cathedral was damaged during World War II, subsequent reconstruction efforts have seen it returned to its 15th-century glory. Enjoy its stunning façade from the opposite side of Frauenplatz, the cathedral’s adjacent plaza.
Within its seemingly weightless stone exterior, Frauenkirche’s chamber is enormous. Octagonal columns divide the interior of the church, so the nave and two long aisles appear much smaller. Take a moment to admire the high ceilings and endless pews that allow this cathedral to seat up to 4,000 people. Climb the Frauenkirche’s southern tower for an unforgettable view of the Alps over Munich’s red-roofed skyline. Restrictions on building heights in Munich ensure that this tower provides the best views in town.
Look for Frauenkirche’s most infamous feature, a black footprint shape known as the "Devil’s step", which lies just near the cathedral entrance. This enigmatic footprint has birthed a number of weird and extravagant local myths about its origins. Nearby, admire the shiny black marble of the mausoleum of Emperor Ludwig IV of Bavaria. This bronze tomb is one of many famous mausoleums at the church. Learn about other ancient personalities buried here, including members of the Wittelsbach dynasty and the Munich clergy.
The Frauenkirche is open every day and is free to enter. Tours run at 2 p.m. every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Find it at Frauenplatz in the centre of Munich. Visitors can navigate the streets on foot from the nearby Marienplatz the cathedral towers make it very hard to miss.
