Asam Church

Tucked away in the Sendlinger Strasse shopping district of Munich, the Asam-keer-khuh, or Asam Church, is a jewel of the late Baroque and Rococo eras that is easily overlooked if you are not searching for it. Officially named…

Before entering, take a moment to study the facade, which is integrated into the row of houses on Sendlinger Strasse. To the left of the main portal is the Asam House, the former residence of the brothers. …

As you step inside the church, you enter the vestibule, a space of profound shadows and symbolic transition. This lower level represents the earthly realm, characterized by a darker, more somber atmosphere. …

Stepping past the vestibule, the main nave of the Asamkirche opens up before you in a dazzling display of late Baroque exuberance. The interior is divided into three vertical sections, each representing a different spiritual…

The high altar is the dramatic focal point of the Asamkirche, dedicated to Saint John Nepomuk, the fourteenth-century priest from Prague who became the patron saint of silence and the seal of confession. The story of Saint John…

Look up at the ceiling, and you will see one of Cosmas Damian Asam's most brilliant achievements. Although the ceiling is almost entirely flat, the painting uses a technique known as 'trompe-l'oeil'—or 'trick of the eye'—to…

Along the sides of the nave, you will find some of the most unusual and inventive furniture ever placed in a church: the Asam confessionals. There are seven of them in total, and they are far from the simple wooden boxes found in…

As you prepare to step back out onto the busy streets of Munich, take a final moment to absorb the atmosphere of this singular space. The Asamkirche is more than just a church; it is a personal testament to the power of artistic…