Colloquially known as the "Frauenkirche", the Cathedral of Our Lady is a significant landmark of the city of Munich. The building was consecrated in 1494 and is one of the largest hall churches in the world. The chapels and the altar area are particularly worth seeing. Two special features of the Frauenkirche are the automaton clock and the Devil's Step.
Towers with Welsh hoods
The cathedral did not receive its towers, which are visible from afar, until 1525. While the north tower houses three bells and a medieval treadwheel, the south tower houses seven bells. Only the south tower is open to visitors. The ascent is rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view from a height of 86 metres. With good visibility, even the Alps can be seen. Including the Welsch dome, each of the towers is about 98.5 metres high.
The interior of the Frauenkirche
The cathedral includes a main portal and four portals located along the nave. Light colors and tall windows make the interior of the church appear friendly and inviting. The very high ceiling corresponds to a star vault of late Gothic style. There are a total of 21 chapels in the Frauenkirche - each more beautiful than the next. Finely crafted figures and reliefs as well as precious relics and altarpieces from past centuries are waiting to be discovered.
In honour of Ludwig IV, the tomb at the back of the church was erected in 1622. The memorial slab for the emperor inside the marble casing dates back to the late 15th century.
Special highlights
In the entrance area, the visitor encounters the Devil's Step - a spot from which no side windows can be seen. According to legend, it was the devil himself who left a clearly visible imprint by stamping hard on it.
There has been a clock with a puppet theatre in the Frauenkirche since the 16th century. In the 18th and 19th centuries, clock masters changed the clock case several times. On display is a unique work of art that combines time display and the depiction of a world governed by God.
