Photograph the green twin domes of this Munich church that houses the mysterious Devil’s Step and rises above the city’s skyline.
The Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) is Munich’s most iconic cathedral. Architect Jörg von Halsbach designed and built the 15th-century religious structure from red brick in a German gothic style. The famous green domes were installed in 1525 as a temporary solution while they constructed expensive spires. However, locals soon grew attached to the short fix and the Renaissance dome is still visible around the city today. The church is home to the mysterious Devil’s Step, a black footprint near the entrance that generates many local legends.
The surprisingly vast and immense interior of the church hides behind its sombre façade. Enjoy a peaceful stroll through the spacious hall and around the octagonal columns. The effect of the pillars makes the nave appear smaller. Take a moment to reflect in one of the city’s most important spiritual structures, which can seat up to 4,000 people at a time.
One of the reasons for the church’s popularity is the spectacular view from the south tower. The viewpoint dwarfs the rest of the city, which is impeded by building restrictions. Gaze out at an unobstructed panorama of Munich’s traditional red roofs with a scenic backdrop of the Alps.
The church’s most notorious feature is a black footprint-like mark known as the Devil’s Step on the ground near the entrance. The source of the mysterious print has inspired countless local legends.
Visit the tombs dotted around the church. See the imposing black marble and bronze mausoleum of Emperor Ludwig IV of Bavaria. Discover other tombs where former members of the Wittelsbach dynasty and the Munich clergy are laid to rest.
The Frauenkirche opens daily with tours in the afternoon on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. You can find the church in Frauenplatz, which is near to the Marienplatz in the centre of Munich. Entry to the church is free, although there’s a small fee to climb the south tower.
