St. Martin, Gothic parish church in Munich, Germany

St. Martin is a late Gothic parish church on the east bank of the Würm in Untermenzing. The white-plastered brick building has a steep red-tiled saddle roof, a smaller gabled porch at the front, and a 22-metre tower with a stepped gable, a red-faced clock and a cross at the top. The tower stands to the side of the nave because the Romanesque predecessor was kept in use during construction.

St. Martin was built in 1499 under Duke Siegmund of Bavaria-Munich by the architect Ulrich Randeck, replacing a smaller late-Romanesque church first recorded in 1315. The old church stayed in use during construction and was demolished only in 1500, which is why the tower stands beside the nave rather than centred. The four lower storeys of the 22-metre tower survive from the predecessor; the upper bell stage with two stepped gables was added in 1499.

The church serves as a gathering place where visitors can observe medieval craftsmanship in its stonework and vaults while locals continue to use it for worship. You notice how the space has been shaped by generations of religious practice and remains central to community life today.

The church is easily reached by public transportation, with the nearest station located within 500 meters of the entrance. Be aware that access may be limited during worship services, so plan your visit accordingly.

The tower's four lower storeys survive from the Romanesque predecessor church, and the present sacristy was its original chancel; red-painted chancel arches inside still mark that origin. Because the new nave was built beside the old one, which stood until the choir was finished in 1500, the tower stands to the side of the nave rather than centred.