Frauenkirche, Catholic cathedral in central Munich, Germany
The Frauenkirche is a Catholic cathedral in central Munich, distinguished by twin towers topped with copper onion domes that rise 99 meters above street level. Built from red brick, the structure extends 109 meters in length and 40 meters in width, forming a Gothic landmark that dominates the city skyline.
Construction started in 1401 under architect Jörg von Halsbach and continued through several building phases until the official opening in 1494. The decision to use brick as the primary material reflected the building traditions of southern Germany during the late Middle Ages.
The name derives from Our Dear Lady, pointing to the dedication to Virgin Mary that shapes daily worship and prayer here. Local tradition holds that the building represents Munich's spiritual center, where residents gather for baptisms, weddings and memorial services throughout the year.
The south tower opens for climbing and offers views over the rooftops toward the Alps on clear days. The interior provides space for both services and quiet visits, allowing time for personal reflection outside of mass hours.
A black footprint mark at the entrance bears the name Devil's Footstep and ties to a legend claiming the devil left his mark during construction. Visitors often pause at this spot to test the viewpoint from which the windows supposedly vanish from sight.
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