Heilig Kreuz, Gothic Revival church in Giesing, Germany.
Heilig Kreuz is a red brick Gothic Revival church on the Giesinger Berg, built 1866–1886 to plans by Georg von Dollmann. Its 95-metre octagonal tower carries a clock face, a small stone balcony and a steep dark spire with pinnacles. The long nave has a steep red tiled roof edged with small pinnacles and pointed windows with dark glass; smaller spires rise from the roof ridge and the far end. Inside, clustered piers carry ribbed vaulting above a red brick floor, and a carved wooden altarpiece stands before a large pointed stained-glass window.
The parish had a late Romanesque predecessor that became too small as Giesing grew; after the district was incorporated into Munich in 1854, the hilltop site was chosen. Georg von Dollmann's plans for the three-nave hall church with a single tower were realised from the 1866 foundation stone to the 1886 consecration. The old village church was demolished in 1888.
The parish is the seat of the Obergiesing parish association, which also includes Königin des Friedens and St. Helena; Monsignor Engelbert Dirnberger leads it. Church musician Thomas Renner has held his post since August 1988. The outline of the church appears in the logo of the neighbouring Giesinger Bräu brewery.
The building is easily accessible by Munich's public transportation, with several bus and tram stops within walking distance. Visitors should know that services and events happen at set times, so the church may not always be open for viewing.
The outline of Heilig Kreuz appears in the logo of the neighbouring Giesinger Bräu brewery. The tower reaches 95 metres; measured above sea level its spire stands higher than the Frauenkirche's and is the highest church tower tip in Munich. A fifth bronze bell, cast in 1659 by Bernhard Ernst, hangs in the crossing turret and is not part of the main peal.
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