The St. Michael’s Church (Michaelskirche) dates back to the 1500s and is one of the most notable renaissance churches north of the Alps. The church is known for the elegant triangular crowns that decorate its façade. Beneath the crowns, the figure of St. Michael the Archangel in the midst of a battle stands in the alcove. The Duke of Bavaria, William V, commissioned Michaelskirche as a Jesuit church in the late 16th century, at a time when there was disunity within Christianity in Germany.
There is another image of St. Michael on the High Altar of the church’s interior. The phases of Jesus Christ’s life are portrayed across various sections of the building. See the portrait of Christ in his infancy on the inner wall.
Choose a seat on the pews and take a moment to reflect. Gaze up at one of the largest free-standing vaulted ceilings in the world. The ceiling, along with the large windows by the entrance, gives the church a spacious feel and lots of natural light.
Visit the church’s royal crypt. There are tombs containing the remains of prominent Bavarian figures from the past, including the Wittelsbach family. Peruse the eerie catacombs to see the shrines of 40 members of the royal dynasty, including “Mad” King Ludwig II and King Otto of Bavaria.
The Michaelskirche encourages music as an important part of the spiritual life of the church. It has played host to popular musicians such as Joseph Gabriel Rheinberger, Orlande de Lassus and Caspar Ett. Attend one of the regular performances by the church’s choir and orchestra.
The Michaelskirche opens every day. Admission is free. Take the metro or a bus to Karlsplatz, which is just a short walk from the church.
