Asamkirche, officially the Church of St. Johann Nepomuk, is a small Catholic church on Sendlinger Straße in Munich’s Old Town, a short walk from Marienplatz. Brothers Cosmas Damian and Egid Quirin Asam built it in the 18th century, originally as a private chapel. Step inside to see how frescoes, stucco figures, sculpture and gilding fill the compact interior. Look for the ceiling paintings, the high altar and the figure of St. John Nepomuk above the entrance. Entry is free.
A chapel built by the Asam brothers
Asamkirche is dedicated to St. Johann Nepomuk and takes its familiar name from its builders, the brothers Egid Quirin and Cosmas Damian Asam. Egid Quirin was a sculptor and architect; Cosmas Damian was a painter. They created the church in the 18th century as a private chapel for themselves and their family, and lived in the house next door. The church was later opened to the public.
Construction dates vary in the available accounts: some give 1733 to 1746, while others describe work beginning earlier in the 18th century. The church is consistently associated with the brothers’ work in late Baroque and Rococo styles. Its narrow site is fitted between other buildings on Sendlinger Straße, so the exterior gives little sense of how much decoration lies within.
The entrance and the interior
The entrance is framed by large columns, with a figure of St. John Nepomuk above the portal. Inside, frescoes, oil paintings, stucco figures, sculpture and gilded details cover the walls and ceiling. The church’s small scale brings the decoration close: pause to take in the painted ceiling, then look across the nave toward the high altar and the sculpted figures around it.
A wrought-iron grille dating to 1776 separates the saints’ stucco figures from the long nave and its galleries. The interior also includes a large sculpture of St. John Nepomuk. The combination of painted surfaces, sculptural work and ornamental detail makes it worth looking at different parts of the room rather than only toward the altar.
Planning a visit
The church stands at Sendlinger Straße 32 in Munich’s Old Town, within walking distance of Marienplatz and the city’s shopping streets. Entry is free. Its compact size makes it easy to add to a walk through the centre, though a slower visit gives you more time to notice the paintings, figures and decorative work.
Sightseeing is not permitted during services, and access can change for events or construction, so check current information before you go. The church also hosts concerts, which give you a chance to hear music in the space. A wheelchair-accessible entrance is listed, as is wheelchair-accessible parking.
FAQ
Is entry to Asamkirche free?
Yes. Entry is free.
How do I get to Asamkirche?
It is at Sendlinger Straße 32 in Munich’s Old Town, within walking distance of Marienplatz.
Can I visit during a church service?
No. Sightseeing is not permitted during services.
What should I look for inside Asamkirche?
Look for the ceiling paintings, the high altar, the stucco figures and the wrought-iron grille dating to 1776.
