Frauenkirche

One of Munich's most famous landmarks

Close to the Old Town, you’ll soon spot the grand towers of “Munchner Dom”, or Munich Cathedral. It was built by Duke Sigismund of Austria, who ruled over Munich at the time. This elegant church is considered a symbol of the city and is known to the locals as “Frauenkirche”.

Frauenkirche’s location has been a place of worship for nearly 1,000 years, as a church was first built here in the 12th century. The building you’ll see today, though, was built in the 15th century. Unusually for cathedrals at the time, Frauenkirche’s main hall only took 20 years to build.

The church boasts 2 elegant towers topped by Baroque-style domes. These atmospheric spires are some of the tallest structures in Munich, due to strict building laws. Climb the 89 steps of the south tower to be rewarded by panoramic city views, with the snow-dusted Alps in the distance.

During the Second World War, the cathedral suffered some damage. It was then carefully restored in the decades afterwards, a project which was completed in 1994. This means you’ll see both ancient and modern history reflected in this elegant building. 

Spend some time in the tranquil main hall, one of the largest of its kind in Germany. On the walls hang spectacular paintings, some over 600 years old! Near the entrance, see if you can spot a mysterious footprint in a floor tile. A sinister legend is connected to this print.