chiesa di San Michele
Munich
St. Michael's Church is the Jesuit church of Munich. It was built between 1583 and 1597, on the pedestrian street that starts at the Karlstor.
A duke and the Jesuits
Duke William V wanted a large church for the Jesuits and their school. Work began in 1583.
The church was consecrated on 6 July 1597. Its size beat that of the Jesuits' mother church in Rome.
What to look at from outside
The façade has three storeys, each one lower than the one below. There are niches with statues and flat columns set against the wall.
At the top, in the triangle of the roof, stands Christ. Below, in the niche between the doors, is the bronze archangel. It was cast in 1588.
Between them stand the rulers who defended the Catholic faith. The façade was restored between 2009 and 2013.
The family of kings
Many Wittelsbachs, the family that ruled Bavaria for centuries, are buried beneath the choir. They were dukes, prince-electors and kings.
It is still a living church, famous for its music. During services and concerts, people go in only to take part.
