Asamkirche, Munich
Facade of the Asamkirche. Photo licensed under GFDL.
Facade detail. Photo
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Interior panorama. Photo
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Detail of the south wall. Photo
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Oval entrance hall. Photo
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The Asamkirche (officially the St-Johann-Nepomuk-Kirche) in Munich is an 18th-century Baroque and Rococo church built by the Asam brothers. The opulent interior leaves no surface undecorated.
History
In 1729-30, sculptor and stuccoist Egid Qurin Asam bought two properties here, which he converted into a family home for himself. Soon after, he acquired a plot of land next to his house, where in 1733 he began to built a church dedicated to the newly canonized St. John Nepomuk, a 14th-century Bohemian monk who drowned in the Danube. E.Q.'s brother Cosmas Damian Asam contributed the presbytery. The church was completed in 1746.
What to See
The Asamkirche is a long and narrow chapel occupying a slim space between two houses. Its facade features a large statue of St. Johann Nepomuk over the door, carved with scenes from his life, as well as portrait medallions of Pope Benedict XIII and Bishop Johann Theodor of Freising.
Adjoining the left side of the chapel is the house of E.Q. Asam (1733), connected by a corridor. The artist could see the high altar from one of his bedrooms. On the right is the rectory designed by E.Q. Asam and completed after his death in 1771.
The tall wooden doors lead into an oval-shaped entrance hall containing Rococo confessionals decorated with symbolic figures. One confessional has winged skulls, one wrapped in a gilded snake representing sinfulness and another in a gilded laurel wreath to represent saintliness. A gilded Death also makes an appearance.
The chapel's dimly lit interior, consisting of a single narrow nave, leaves no surface undecorated. Multiple frescoes are surrounded by rich red stucco by the Asam brothers and gilded woodwork.
The high altar features twisted columns and a wax effigy of St. John Nepomuk in a glass sarcophagus, topped with a tabernacle by Roman Anton Boos. There is also a sculpture group of the Holy Trinity and medallions of the Asam brothers. A niche to the left of the altar contains a Virgin Mary by E.Q. Asam.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Asamkirche; St. Johann-Nepomuk-Kirche |
| Location: | Munich, Bavaria, Germany |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Dedication: | St. John Nepomuk |
| Categories: | Private Chapels; Churches |
| Architecture: | Rococo, Baroque |
| Date: | 1733-46 |
| Patron(s): | Egid Qurin and Cosmas Damian Asam |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | Sendlingerstrasse 62, Munich, Germany |
| Coordinates: | 48.135138° N, 11.569644° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Phone: | 089/23-68-79-89 |
| Public transport: | U-Bahn: Sendlinger Tor |
| Opening hours: | Daily 9am-5pm |
| Cost: | Free |
Travel Resources
- Munich Map - our detailed interactive map of Munich, plus hand-picked links to more
- Munich Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Munich Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in Munich
- Munich Car Rentals - get the lowest rate by comparing multiple car companies at a glance
- Munich Restaurant Reviews - the best places to eat in town
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of Asamkirche. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Munich Map.
Article Sources
- James Bentley, Blue Guide Western Germany, 2nd ed. (London: A&C Black, 1995), 153-54.
- Asamkirche - Frommer's Germany
Last updated on October 11, 2009.
