Asamkirche

Overview

The Asamkirche is a tiny Late Baroque jewel box on Sendlinger Straße, privately built by the Asam brothers next to their own home. Barely 8 metres wide, its interior explodes with gilded stucco, ceiling frescoes, and theatrical lighting—an immersive religious experience on a miniature scale.

Highlights

• Ceiling fresco: Cosmas Damian Asam's illusionistic painting depicting St. Nepomuk's life in dramatic perspective.
• Hidden light: Windows are concealed behind cornices to create an ethereal glow, making the interior seem to radiate from within.
• Scale: The dramatic intensity compressed into just 28 metres of length is unmatched in European Baroque.

History

Built between 1733 and 1746 by brothers Cosmas Damian (painter) and Egid Quirin Asam (sculptor/architect) as a private chapel, public pressure eventually forced them to open it to all.

Visitor Tips

• Free entry: Donations welcome.
• Brief but stunning: Even 10 minutes inside is unforgettable.
• Duration: 10–15 minutes.