Frauenkirche(German: Frauenkirche), official name in German. Der Dom zu Unserer Lieben Frau (Cathedral of the Holy Virgin) - the tallest cathedral in MunichIn 2004 At the referendum, a decision was made banning the construction of buildings higher than 99 meters in the city. Why exactly 99 meters? Yes, because this is the height of the tallest cathedral and the symbol of the city -Cathedral of St. Mother of God, or, as it is more often called,Frauenkirche. At the time of completion (in 1525), the cathedral could accommodate 20 thousand people, while the population of Munich was only 13 thousand. Of course, the size of the Frauenkirche is still amazing, and it’s easy to guess what impression the church made on its contemporaries.
Frauenkirche is uncompromisingly Gothic. Pure, arrogant, clear. But in spoiled baroque Bavaria they were not used to it. When you walk along the elegant Kaufingerstrasse with its luxurious shops, and then suddenly find yourself under the echoing and deserted arches of the cathedral, you feel uneasy.
Gothic is the grandeur of space, the severity of lines. Main Cathedral The city was built in the Middle Ages, although the approach of the Renaissance can already be felt in its architecture. The massiveness of the structure is softened by onion domes - “Romanesque helmets”. The cathedral took 26 years to build and was consecrated in 1494, shortly before the start of the Reformation. At the same time, the first university was founded in Bavaria, and the first book was published in Munich.
“It’s somehow bare here!” a tourist whispers to her husband in fear. She looks skeptically at the massive columns of the Frauenkirche Cathedral until her gaze finally settles on Reinhard Behrens's long robe. The caretaker of the cathedral, Behrens, already knows what will follow - the woman will come up to him and ask classic question: “What is this, a Protestant church?” There is obvious disappointment in this question.
Why Munich Cathedral Does Frauenkirche look so prim? Why do people avoid entering the temple, which is considered the symbol of the city? Local Catholics prefer churches that are more comfortable, and few tourists like its asceticism. Reinhard Behrens patiently explains that not all Catholic churches in Bavaria are built in the Baroque style. That his cathedral does not look like elegant churches with playful stucco and paintings on the ceiling, with angels, with high altars and sparkling monstrances.
But even more famous church became thanks to the trace of the devil on the floor of the cathedral. The legend explains this by an agreement between Satan and the architect, in which the latter must build a temple without windows, which must always be illuminated, and then the devil will not interfere with his work. When the construction was completed, the architect showed a temple in which there was not a single window, and at the same time it was as bright as day. The devil got angry and stamped his foot, after which a mark from his right foot remained on the floor of the cathedral.
It is believed that if you step on this imprint while staying in Frauenkirche, the entire next year will be surprisingly successful.
Actually, there were two legends at once. According to the first legend, when the cathedral was built but not consecrated, the Devil himself was hanging around in these places. For some reason, forgive the tautology, he ended up in a church. He went into the narthex - and there, if you look at the photograph, there is a place where the windows are hidden by columns - and began to laugh at the unlucky builders who screwed up so much by building a temple without windows. Satan neighed and stamped his foot. This is how the black heel mark appeared. When the church was consecrated, people began pouring in. Satan became interested, galloped up again, and saw that the church did have windows, and what kind of ones! The demon became furious, turned into a hurricane and tried to demolish the cathedral. But the strength of hell was not enough. Since then, the devil has not calmed down and sometimes a tornado swirls near the gate, but in vain.
According to the second legend, the Devil entered into a pact with the architect of the church, Ganghofer. Satan promised all kinds of help in the construction of the building; the architect, in turn, promised the soul of the first person to enter the church. After the completion of the construction, the cunning architect brought Satan to that very place in the vestibule and reproached his “partner” that he, they say, had naturally screwed up and built a church without windows, and that he would get the horseradish, not the soul. Satan went crazy and stomped his hoof! But it’s too late to rush around, the contract is terminated!
The brick building itself, built in the late Gothic style, is more than a hundred meters long, 40 meters wide and almost 37 meters high. Almost the same size as Shoigu’s dacha, but more modest, of course. The interior of the church does not create the impression of endless space, hidden by 22 hexagonal columns:
The interior is very ascetic, but bright and light, which is not what you expect from Gothic churches.
The stained glass windows show the parishioner various scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary:
In Frauenkirche they do not flirt with the congregation and do not shorten services. Dominicans or Jesuits from other Catholic churches Munich are free to chase after their parishioners. “We don't expect applause. The temple is not a booth, says ceremonial officer Anton Heckler. “The Frauenkirche Mass is an example to follow.” They serve according to all canons here. After all, if each church acts at its own discretion, what will happen to the unity of the church?
On Sundays, the cathedral, designed for 20 thousand people, has at most 100-200 parishioners. Vespers is served in a tiny chapel for 15-20 old women. At the same time, Bavarian television broadcasts the main masses live. So Wolfgang Huber, the rector of the temple, has enough worries with both their preparation and the visits of international delegations. After all, the Frauenkirche was never a “people's” church. She is a symbol of ducal power.
It is impossible to perform Baroque music here. Due to the powerful echo, the sounds merge, resulting in a cacophony. “Bach is hitting our ears,” the regent smiles. The acoustics in Frauenkirche are such that... musical works with a fast pace, “the space just can’t keep up.” But as soon as Gregorian chants or Mozart’s mass begin to sound, it becomes clear what the local chapel is capable of. When countless candles are burning and the air is thick with incense, you feel the invisible presence of the Holy Spirit within these walls. In such moments, the true power of the cathedral is revealed, the beauty of the church service, as if you were transported to Venice of the 17th century, to the famous St. Mark's Cathedral.
The main organ in the Western Empire. Built in 1994. Looks modern:
Since the 16th century, the rulers of Bavaria, the Dukes of Wittelsbach, were married and buried here. The army was recruited on the square in front of the cathedral, and the duke himself appointed the abbots of the Frauenkirche. The cathedral faithfully served the authorities; its mighty vaults and powerful towers, directed into the sky, were a symbol of the invincibility of the Bavarian rulers. Already its predecessor, the Marienkirche, built on this site in the 13th century, was the house church of the dukes.
Ordinary people prayed in the Church of St. Peter - beloved by the people and the oldest church in the city. Munich residents still cannot come to terms with the fact that it remains in the shadow of the privileged Frauenkirche.
Anyone who looks at old engravings is sure to be struck by the “secularism” of the cathedral. The tombstone of Ludwig of Bavaria, the most famous representative of the Wittelsbachs for all 8 centuries of the family’s existence, was erected right in front of the main altar, almost blocking it. Moreover, they hoisted the national flag of Bavaria on top.
Cenotaph (symbolic grave without remains) of Emperor Ludwig of Bavaria. The remains of the emperor are located here in the crypt of the church:
The cenotaph was built in 1622 by order of Duke Albrecht IV. At the head of the ensemble is a bronze statue of Albrecht himself, from which it becomes clear that Albrecht is not such an even boy with respect for the elders, but simply a narcissistic egoist selling his image on the grave of the authoritative boy in law Ludwig:
The Frauenkirche Cathedral is the symbol of Munich. It is located near Marienplatz. In 2004, the city held a referendum in which it was prohibited to build buildings in Munich higher than the Frauenkirche Cathedral, which is 99 meters high. The Frauenkirche Cathedral is closely associated with the Wittelsbach dynasty, who wanted to build a majestic family crypt in it. Construction of the cathedral began in 1468 […]
Is a symbol Munich. He stands close to Marienplatz. In 2004, the city held a referendum in which it was prohibited to build buildings in Munich higher than the Frauenkirche Cathedral, which is 99 meters high.
The Frauenkirche is closely linked to the dynasty Wittelsbach, who wanted to build a majestic family crypt in it. Construction of the cathedral began in 1468. It was then that the Duke Sigismund and bishop Johannes Tulbeck The first stone was solemnly laid. In 1494, the cathedral was partially built and consecrated. However, construction continued further. And only in 1525 the unique domes on the towers of the temple were completed. The Frauenkirche Cathedral is an example to follow for all temple buildings in Bavaria.
After completion of construction, the cathedral could simultaneously accommodate up to 20,000 parishioners, although at that time there were only 13,000 people in the city. The roof of the majestic building is supported by 22 columns. They create the illusion of limited space, although in fact, in the interior of the cathedral today there are benches that can accommodate 4,000 Munich parishioners.
Frauenplatz 12, 80331 Munchen, Germany
Take the metro to Marienplatz station
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Address: Germany, Munich
Start of construction: 1468
Completion of construction: 1525
Architect: Jörg von Halsbach
Height: 100 m
Coordinates: 48°08"18.9"N 11°34"24.5"E
Short description
Not far from Munich's Marienplatz square is the main cathedral of the capital of Bavaria - Frauenkirche. The official name of the tallest cathedral in Munich is the Cathedral Holy Virgin Maria.
Surprisingly, in 2004, at a meeting of the city authorities, a rather controversial bill was adopted, according to which in the ultra-modern city, famous throughout for its scientific research institutes and museums, it is prohibited to erect buildings that would be taller than the Frauenkirche.
Bird's eye view of the cathedral
The height of the cathedral, built in the Gothic style, is “only” 99 meters. Naturally, this figure cannot be called small, but it limits the construction of huge skyscrapers and office buildings in the city. What is the reason for this attitude of the authorities towards the Frauenkirche, what is this cathedral so unusual? It's no secret that many travel agencies call Frauenkirche the symbol of Munich and recommend to all guests of the city in mandatory visit this attraction. Naturally, the Frauenkirche can certainly interest historians and connoisseurs of architectural and cultural monuments. Its long history and close connection with the legendary Wittelsbach dynasty, which once ruled Bavaria for 700 years, is certainly noteworthy.
Many guides living in Munich, when telling their tour groups about the Frauenkirche, quite often speak about the cathedral with some degree of skepticism. The thing is that the majestic cathedral, which is the tallest building in Munich, does not delight the native residents of the city. The Wittelsbach family is “to blame” for this state of affairs, who, by the way, are very respected in Bavaria, and the last descendant from this dynasty still lives at the expense of the state in the luxurious Nymphenburg Palace.
View of the cathedral from the New Town Hall
It was the founders of this dynasty who made the Frauenkirche a cathedral for the powers that be, and, by and large, turned it into a kind of family crypt. True, this is already a story that should be discussed a little below.
Frauenkirche Cathedral - history
As mentioned above, the Wittelsbach dynasty wanted to create a cathedral in which they could turn to God and where they would find eternal rest. The first stone for the construction of the cathedral, which it was decided to build in the Gothic style, was laid in 1468. The building project was developed by the then famous architect Jörg von Halspach, who said that the building in the capital of Bavaria “was built in the style of uncompromising Gothic, where there is nothing superfluous.”
The Frauenkirche Cathedral was built of brick by 1494. During the opening ceremony, the consecration of the temple took place. To be fair, it is worth noting that in 1494 the cathedral was not completely finished: its main architectural details - the domes on the towers - were completed in 1525. Since the mid-16th century, the Frauenkirche Cathedral could be called a secular cathedral; ordinary Munich residents rarely looked into it. As you know, the church should not submit to politicians and the government of the country, and the Frauenkirche has become a kind of symbol, known in Bavaria under the name: “the union of the throne and the altar.”
View of the cathedral towers
After the first consecration, the cathedral could accommodate more than 20 thousand people. When the towers were erected, the capacity of the Frauenkirche cathedral was reduced to 12 thousand people. After the Second World War, no more than 4 thousand people could listen to sermons in the church. All places, as in many Catholic churches, are seated. It is worth noting that during the Allied offensive on Munich, the Frauenkirche Cathedral was damaged. However, the damage caused cannot be considered significant. All interior decorations, tombs and valuable relics were not damaged. The restoration of the Frauenkirche Cathedral after the Second World War took place in record time. How could it be otherwise in the case of the temple, which is called “the union of the throne and the altar”? This is how he remains to this day.
Frauenkirche Cathedral - architecture
Not a single modern architect can say that the facades of the cathedral do not evoke admiration for the Gothic style. Majesty, strict lines and, one might even say, some kind of chilling beauty can be seen in every detail of the building. Despite the facade of the building, the interior of the temple disappoints many tourists. “This temple is kind of miserable,” “It’s not cozy and cold here,” “We probably weren’t in a Catholic church,” these words are often uttered by many guests of Munich who first crossed the threshold of the symbol of the capital of Bavaria, the Frauenkirche Cathedral.
Cathedral facade
As mentioned above, even the indigenous residents of the city do not favor this main attraction with their attention. The asceticism of the interior decoration and the arrogant attitude of the clergy towards the believers cannot attract the flock to the walls of the cathedral. During Sunday services, it will be difficult to count 80 parishioners in the pews designed for 4 thousand people. During evening services Frauenkirche is practically empty: only 10-15 elderly women listen to prayers ascending to God. They come here only because they live in a shelter located not far from the cathedral.
Despite all of the above, it is from this cathedral that numerous broadcasts of services dedicated to the most significant Catholic holidays. The ceremony of the Frauenkirche Cathedral can be called an accountant, director, screenwriter and stage director. In addition, he arrogantly claims that it is The Frauenkirche Cathedral should be an example to be followed by all Catholic churches. « Interior decoration The temple is not a circus stage where everything should be decorated with bright colors. The Mass is not a clownery, it cannot be shortened, during it you need to sit and listen in complete silence,” ceremonial officer Anton Heckler once said in an interview. It was he who became the first minister catholic church, who meticulously calculated the personal computer the amount needed to give communion to parishioners. By the way, the officially registered parish of Frauenkirche has less than 400 people.
Main entrance to the cathedral
The Frauenkirche's close connection with power, which has lasted for more than 400 years, is turning off young people. Of the entire parish, there are less than 30 parishioners under the age of 18. It cannot be otherwise in the cathedral, where in front of the main altar there is a huge tombstone of King Ludwig of Bavaria, which completely covers the main place in the temple. In addition, the flag of Bavaria was installed over the tombstone: the banner almost completely hides the throne from the flock. At one time, Maximilian I decided to erect a strange-looking monument in the Frauenkirche Cathedral, which depicted skulls and knights ready for battle. This monument was supposed to symbolize the tomb of the Wittelsbachs. Maximilian I was one of those politicians who understood how beneficial it was to unite the government and the church. He did not even hide his views, and erected a triumphal arch over the terrifying dark monument. This arch in the Frauenkirche temple was supposed to show believers the close and inextricable connection between earthly and heavenly power.
After reading all of the above, many people who are brought to Munich may have the opinion that the Frauenkirche Cathedral does not deserve attention. However, this is not at all true. After walking around Marienplatz and visiting its many attractions and boutiques, you should definitely stop by Frauenkirche.
View of south tower Cathedral from Liebfrauenstrasse
Firstly, such a sharp contrast cannot be found anywhere else in the world, and secondly, it would be an unforgivable mistake not to capture in the photo the external facade of the cathedral, built in the “uncompromising Gothic” style. The acoustics of this unique architectural structure will be of particular interest to connoisseurs of music and choral singing. Alas, you won’t be able to listen to Bach’s music there; the tempo of his works is too fast, and the huge space of the room merges into a single roar. In one of the interviews of the regent of the Frauenkirche, published in a Munich newspaper, it is said that “Bach in the cathedral hits the ears hard.” The beauty of choral singing or music can only be appreciated by the Mass of Wolfgang Mozart or chorales ascended to God, dating back to the Gregorian era.
FRAUENKIRCHE
The symbol of the city is the late Gothic Frauenkirche.
Frauenkirche(German: Frauenkirche), official name in German. Der Dom zu Unserer Lieben Frau (Cathedral of the Holy Virgin) is the tallest cathedral in Munich. Since 1821 main church the newly created Archbishopric of Munich-Freising.
Construction of the cathedral began in 1466 and was completed in 1525 (1466-1492 architect Jörg von Halsbach, also known as Ganghofer). Actually, the cathedral itself was built quickly, but the towers were completed almost a century later.
Up to 20,000 parishioners could find a place in the cathedral, while at the time of completion of construction the population of Munich was only 13,000 people. Nowadays, the cathedral can accommodate about 4,000 people sitting, thanks to the last years shops for parishioners.
However, inside the cathedral does not give the impression of a huge structure, since the 22 columns supporting the roof create the illusion of a much smaller space.
The height of the cathedral is 99 meters. By decision of a referendum held in 2004, in Munich it was temporarily prohibited to build buildings higher than the Frauenkirche, that is, higher than 100 meters.
One tower is 12 cm higher than the other. According to the original plan, they should have been crowned with spiers like Cologne Cathedral, but due to a lack of money, domes were erected that were stylistically inconsistent with the cathedral.
The length of the cathedral is 109 m, width - 40 m. The interior decoration of the three-nave church was partially lost during the Second World War. The magnificent choir benches made by Erasmus Grasser in 1502, the tomb of Ludwig IV of Bavaria made of black marble, the altar of St. Andrey and paintings by Jan Polak. Although the rich Gothic interior of the cathedral was partially destroyed, partially removed during the era of the Counter-Reformation.
Representatives of the Wittelsbach dynasty (German: Wittelsbach), which ruled in Bavaria and the Palatinate, are buried in the crypt
The church is a poor decorated but large sizes brick building. It has a five-nave, hall system, without a transept, but is equipped with a choir bypass and two western towers. Its buttresses pushed inside and along the longitudinal sides turned into rows of chapels of extraordinary height. On their octagonal pillars without capitals rest service columns that branch into rich reticulated vaults. The austere but bright church is typical of the Bavarian brick style of the 15th century.
Teufelstritt, the devil's imprint. According to legend, the church builder made a deal with the devil that there would be no windows in the church, and the devil would help build the building. But the devil was deceived by the clever architect. The church had already been consecrated and the devil could only stand near the entrance, and from this place the windows were not visible because of the columns. The devil stamped his foot in fury and left an imprint where a tail mark is visible at the heel.
Altar.
Ceiling.
Organ.
Tomb of the Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV by Hans Krumpper.
Altar of St. Andrey.
Article from GEO magazine, No. 12, 2006.
Cathedral of Our Lady of Bavaria
The symbol of Munich is the Frauenkirche Cathedral. No one will deny him his majestic and cold Gothic beauty. But Munich residents prefer other churches.
The remains of the Bavarian archbishops rest in the crypt of Munich's Frauenkirche Cathedral. According to tradition, clergy and aristocrats were buried in the vaulted room under the altar.
“It’s somehow bare here!” a tourist whispers to her husband in fear. She looks skeptically at the massive columns of the Frauenkirche Cathedral until her gaze finally settles on Reinhard Behrens's long robe. The caretaker of the cathedral, Behrens, already knows what will follow - a woman will approach him and ask the classic question: “Is this a Protestant church?” There is obvious disappointment in this question.
Why does Munich's Frauenkirche Cathedral look so prim? Why do people avoid entering the temple, which is considered the symbol of the city? Local Catholics prefer churches that are more comfortable, and few tourists like its asceticism. Reinhard Behrens patiently explains that not all Catholic churches in Bavaria are built in the Baroque style. That his cathedral does not look like elegant churches with playful stucco and paintings on the ceiling, with angels, with high altars and sparkling monstrances.
Frauenkirche is uncompromisingly Gothic. Pure, arrogant, clear. But in spoiled baroque Bavaria they were not used to it. When you walk along the elegant Kaufingerstrasse with its luxurious shops, and then suddenly find yourself under the echoing and deserted arches of the cathedral, you feel uneasy.
Gothic is the grandeur of space, the severity of lines. The main cathedral of the city was built in the Middle Ages, although the approach of the Renaissance can already be felt in its architecture. The massiveness of the structure is softened by onion domes - “Romanesque helmets”. The cathedral took 26 years to build and was consecrated in 1494, shortly before the start of the Reformation. At the same time, the first university was founded in Bavaria, and the first book was published in Munich.
Frauenkirche is one of the last monuments of the era when Western Church was united. This is a laconic and austere temple. The means here are subordinated to the goal, in contrast to the Jesuit Baroque, where the goal is sacrificed to the means. The strict pious spirit of the Middle Ages did not tolerate pretentiousness and operatic effects.
It is impossible to perform Baroque music here. Due to the powerful echo, the sounds merge, resulting in a cacophony. “Bach is hitting our ears,” the regent smiles. The acoustics in Frauenkirche are such that “the space simply cannot keep up” with fast-tempo music. But as soon as Gregorian chants or Mozart’s mass begin to sound, it becomes clear what the local chapel is capable of. When countless candles are burning and the air is thick with incense, you feel the invisible presence of the Holy Spirit within these walls. In such moments, the true power of the cathedral is revealed, the beauty of the church service, as if you were transported to Venice of the 17th century, to the famous St. Mark's Cathedral.
300 children study in the singing school at the temple. In the cathedral, where Orlando di Lasso, the great composer of the Renaissance, served as conductor, false notes are not allowed. For Regent Nys, this is an art, not a craft. And if the parishioners are not able to maintain a high singing standard, then it is better to remain silent.
In Frauenkirche they do not flirt with the congregation and do not shorten services. Dominicans or Jesuits from other Catholic churches in Munich are free to pursue their parishioners. “We don't expect applause. The temple is not a booth,” says ceremonial officer Anton Heckler. “The Frauenkirche Mass is an example to follow.” They serve according to all canons here. After all, if each church acts at its own discretion, what will happen to the unity of the church?
Heckler, who looks like the famous American actor Gene Hackman, turns on his laptop and begins to calculate how much it will cost the parish to give communion to 400 believers. Heckler is a director and producer rolled into one. He determines which of the servants will bring the cover to the cup, and which will sing “I Believe.” He oversees everything - from the choice of the vessel for the wafers to the draping of the vestments. He reprimands the ushers for their jeans sticking out from under their surplices, and the readers for their poor articulation.
Heckler advocates for the continuation of the reforms of the Catholic Church, which began 40 years ago with the Second Vatican Council. Alas, “the sublime splendor of noble simplicity is incomprehensible to the inert consciousness.” For example, the vestments of priests in ordinary churches still look like some kind of clumsy breastplate. In Frauenkirche, priests wear modest attire.
The combination of gothic and modern trends leads Munich residents to a dead end. The choir in Frauenkirche, in their opinion, is located too low, the altar is not lavishly decorated, and the bishop's chair does not at all look like a throne. There is not even a pulpit from which heart-tugging sermons should be heard.
If it had been Heckler's will, he would have gone even further. I would remove the benches from the cathedral, which only hinder the unity of believers: let the parishioners stand during the service. He would break real bread instead of wafers and would commune with the Eucharistic wine not only to the clergy, but to all believers, as in the rites of the ancient church. ( Note And there's an ancient church here. All this is fulfilled in our Orthodox churches.) But then, he fears, people will stop visiting them altogether. Munich residents rarely visit Frauenkirche anyway. On Sundays, the cathedral, designed for 20 thousand people, has at most 100–200 parishioners. Vespers is served in a tiny chapel for 15–20 old women. At the same time, Bavarian television broadcasts the main masses live. So Wolfgang Huber, the rector of the temple, has enough worries with both their preparation and the visits of international delegations. After all, the Frauenkirche was never a “people's” church. She is a symbol of ducal power.
Since the 16th century, the rulers of Bavaria, the Dukes of Wittelsbach, were married and buried here. The army was recruited on the square in front of the cathedral, and the duke himself appointed the abbots of the Frauenkirche. The cathedral faithfully served the authorities; its mighty vaults and powerful towers, directed into the sky, were a symbol of the invincibility of the Bavarian rulers. Already its predecessor, the Marienkirche, built on this site in the 13th century, was the house church of the dukes.
Ordinary people prayed in the Church of St. Peter - beloved by the people and the oldest church in the city. Munich residents still cannot come to terms with the fact that it remains in the shadow of the privileged Frauenkirche.
Anyone who looks at old engravings is sure to be struck by the “secularism” of the cathedral. The tombstone of Ludwig of Bavaria, the most famous representative of the Wittelsbachs for all 8 centuries of the family’s existence, was erected right in front of the main altar, almost blocking it. Moreover, they hoisted the national flag of Bavaria on top.
The cathedral finally became a “court” cathedral under the stern and pious Bavarian electors of the Counter-Reformation era. Maximilian I, an ardent Catholic and fierce enemy of Protestants, knew how to deftly combine religion with politics. He even ordered the statue of the Madonna, the symbol of the Frauenkirche Cathedral, to be moved from the altar to the central square of Munich (now called Marienplatz). And he declared the majestic bronze figure of the Mother of God, installed near the walls of his residence, to be the patron saint of Bavaria. Madonna became a political weapon of the House of Wittelsbach. In the cathedral itself, Maximilian ordered the erection of a gloomy monument of black marble and dark bronze - the imperial cenotaph, the symbolic tomb of the dukes. The figures of knights clad in armor and images of skulls looked terrifying and struck terror into the believers. A powerful triumphal arch rose above the monument - a symbol of the unity of heavenly and earthly power.
So the Frauenkirche was and remains a church for the powers that be. Up until 1952, all Bavarian bishops came from aristocratic noble families. For the residents of Munich, the cathedral has always symbolized the union of throne and altar. That is why the townspeople never considered the Frauenkirche to be congenial to them.
When nun Jolant y Weiss from the Order of the Sisters of the Holy Family was transferred to Munich after 27 years of service in the town of Partenkirchen, she was alarmed that children never played on the porch of Frauenkirche. In her Alpine town, every year she prepared 60 children for their first communion. And in the huge famous cathedral there are only 400 parishioners - the smallest parish in Munich. And no growth is expected: only 29 parishioners are under 18 years old. Most are old people living in a shelter near the cathedral.
Sister Jolanta takes care of them. She also visits 96-year-old Frau Bauer. Before the war, she lived well, worked in the Palace of Justice, but in 1945 her house was bombed, and she was given an apartment not far from Frauenkirche. Frau Bauer is completely dry - weightless as a feather. There is a figurine on the chest of drawers in her room Mother of God with baby Jesus.
Sister Jolanta carefully peels a tangerine for the old lady - only half, so that the other does not dry out. Frau likes to always repeat the same thing: “Once my boss told me: “Girl, be simpler, and people will love you.” But not everyone can do this!”
These words are like a summation of life, they sound almost like a prayer. Sister Jolanta Weiss listens patiently to Frau Bauer's mutterings, thinking that perhaps the arrogant Frauenkirche church should listen to wise advice...
Wolfgang Michal
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 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 advantageous contrast of their green domes, as well as the generally too rounded, “soft” appearance 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.
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