A pair of brothers designed this now public 18th-century church, which is considered a masterpiece of German late baroque design, as a private space of worship.
Visit the pretty Asamkirche (Asam Church) to admire its interior, which is decorated with paintings, sculptures and ornate plasterwork. The church is named after the two brothers who designed and built it. The pair, who lived next door to the new chapel, had initially designed the church for their private use. However, due to intense pressure from the public, architect Egid Quirin Asam and his sibling Cosmas Damian Asam reluctantly opened the spiritual structure to the community.
The church blends baroque and rococo designs. It was originally named after St. John of Nepomuk, though its current, more popular name makes reference to the Asam brothers.
You can find the church in Sendlinger Street, which is one of the city’s busy commercial strips. Look for this charming church nestled between boutiques in the street. Gaze up at the statue of St. John of Nepomuk atop columns that rise from the chapel’s portal. Capture photos of the elegant façade, which is ornate with sculptures, glass and gold. Beside the church, you will find Asam House, where Egid Quirin Asam lived during the 1700s.
Compared to the size of other Bavarian churches, the Asamkirche is small. But its spectacular interior, which is decorated with murals, sculptures and plasterwork, is ample compensation. Marvel at the ceiling fresco, painted by Cosmas Damian Asam, as you walk around the interior hall. The painting portrays the life of the church’s namesake saint.
Each of the levels in the three-storey building varies in decoration and lighting. Note the darker tones that represent human suffering on the lower level, which was intended for the general public. The second storey was meant for the kaiser, while the top floor was devoted to God. Appreciate the exceptional beauty of the church as rays of sunlight penetrate the eastern windows in the morning.
Asamkirche opens daily. Take the U-Bahn (metro system) to Sendlinger Tor Station and walk down Sendlinger Street for a few minutes to reach the church. Admission is free.
