Asamkirche — Attraction in Munich

The Asamkirche, officially known as the St. Johann Nepomuk Church, is a magnificent example of late Baroque architecture with the transition to Rococo. Located on Sendlinger Straße in Munich’s Old Town, the church was constructed between 1733 and 1746 by the Asam brothers, Cosmas Damian Asam and Egid Quirin Asam, who were among the main representatives of the late Baroque period in Southern Germany.

Architectural and Artistic Significance

The church was initially intended to be a private chapel for the Asam brothers, who had settled in Munich. Egid Quirin Asam, after acquiring several properties adjacent to his residence, began building the church with his brother. Remarkably, he could view the high altar directly from a window in his private house, a feature that underscores the personal significance of the church to its builders. Despite its original private nature, public pressure led to the church becoming accessible to everyone.

The architecture of the Asamkirche is influenced by Roman Baroque ideals, even though the Rococo style had already begun to emerge in Bavaria at the time of its construction. The artistic freedom afforded by its private nature allowed Egid Quirin Asam to build the church independently of external client demands, imbuing it with a unique character.

Interior and Exterior Features

The Asamkirche is characterized by its richly decorated interior and exterior. The façade, integrated into the houses of Sendlingerstraße, slightly protrudes outward in a convex shape. The church’s two-story interior harmoniously combines architecture, painting, and sculpture, showcasing the brothers’ exceptional artistry.

Inside, the church features a ceiling fresco depicting the life of Saint Nepomuk, painted by Cosmas Damian Asam. The fresco illuminates beautifully with natural light from the top windows, covering the entire length of the church with scenes from Saint John Nepomuk’s story, who was a patron of Bohemia and suffered martyrdom.

The high altar, framed by four spiral columns symbolizing the four Bernini columns in Rome, adds to the church’s grandeur. The integration of various art forms, from sculpture to painting, creates a holistic and immersive artistic experience for visitors.

Experience and Accessibility

Visiting the Asamkirche is a must for those in Munich, not only for its historical and architectural significance but also for its artistic beauty. It is one of the prettiest Baroque churches in Bavaria and stands as a jewel in Munich’s architectural crown. The church’s small size doesn’t diminish its importance; it remains one of the most significant churches in the city.

Part of a Munich Itinerary

After visiting Asamkirche, you can explore more attractions in Munich’s Altstadt (Old Town). The Marienplatz, with its Old and New Town Halls, and the climb up to St. Peter’s Church tower for incredible views over the main square, are highly recommended. The Residenz, another museum, is a must-visit for its historical and...

There are some beautiful churches to visit in the Old Town but none as ornate or strikingly rich in design as St. Johann Nepomuk, otherwise known as Asamkirche (Asam Church).

This church is considered one of the most important buildings in which to see southern German Late Baroque and was privately built between 1733-1746 by the two Asam brothers.

The facade of the Asamkirche is built into a row of houses along Sendlinger Straße. It is an opulent and will easily catch your attention while passing by, inviting you to step inside to see the splendour of the church interior.

What you find inside Asamkirche is breathtaking. It might remind you of the Santa Maria della Vittoria in Rome in terms of its size, immense opulence and intricate details of High Baroque architecture. The nave is rather small with low lighting, yet it is full of striking details and colour throughout. You will find the same with the altar and gallery. The ceiling fresco, the works of brother Cosmas Damian Asam is beautiful. The heavy use of gilding throughout, along with rich stucco work adds depth and texture to the already colourful and richly detailed interior.

In the end, this is a place where it is best to simply take a seat, read up on the church history and architectural details while enjoying what you are seeing. It is a place where your eyes can simply wonder up and down, never ceasing to see something new and beautiful. Give Asamkirche as much time as you need. It is a place you'll long remember visiting after your...

Located at Sendlinger Str. 32, 80331 Munich, Germany 🇩🇪. Better known as the Asam Church, this is a Baroque Church in Munich. It was built between 1733 and 1746 by a pair of brothers, sculptor Egid Quirin Asam and painter Cosmas Damian Asam as their private church. As the church was not commissioned, this allowed the brothers to build in line of their ideas as independent contractors. For example, Egid could see the altar from a window of his house next to the church. He also designed the church as a confession church, therefore it had seven confessionals. The church is divided into three sections, which increase in brightness from the bottom upwards. The bottom section for visitors is quite dark, its design symbolises the suffering of the world, the middle section is coloured blue and white, and reserved for the emperor. The uppermost section is dedicated to God and eternity. This is a truly beautiful church, extremely ornate and the workmanship is incredible. It’s a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. The stunning frescoes, gorgeous gold accents which create shadows dancing is truly remarkable. Everywhere you look, it’s a work of art. We went earlier in the day and I think you get better lighting then, I would recommend coming in the morning. From the outside, you really have no idea of the magnificence that is inside. Would definitely recommend. Thumbs...