Frauenkirche

Overview

The twin onion-domed towers of the Frauenkirche define Munich's skyline—by local decree, no building in the city centre may exceed their 99-metre height. This late-Gothic brick cathedral, completed in just 20 years (1468–1488), seats 20,000.

Highlights

• Devil's Footprint: A black mark in the entrance floor where, legend has it, the Devil stamped his foot in frustration when he couldn't see any windows from that spot.
• Tower views: The south tower (open seasonally) provides 360° panoramas rivalling those from the Neues Rathaus.
• Emperor Ludwig's tomb: The ornate cenotaph of Emperor Ludwig IV (the Bavarian), Holy Roman Emperor, lies in the choir.

History

Commissioned by Duke Sigismund and designed by Jörg von Halspach, the cathedral was built from roughly 500,000 bricks. The iconic copper onion domes—actually Renaissance additions from 1525—were not part of the original plan.

Visitor Tips

• Free entry: The church is free; small fee for the tower when open.
• Quiet mornings: Visit before 10:00 to avoid tour groups.
• Duration: 20–30 minutes.