Theatinerkirche is an Italian Baroque style church in central Munich, and a famous religious landmark in the city…together with Frauenkirche and Peterskirche.
The church was built as a votive — a gift of gratitude to god — by Prince-Elector Ferdinand Maria and his wife Henrietta Adelaide, who had received a long-awaited son, Maximilian Emanuel, after ten years of marriage.
Work on the church took place from 1663-1690, and after completion, it became a royal court church, dedicated to the Roman Catholic Theatine faith.
However, since 1954, the church has been operated by Dominicans.
PHOTO: Theatine church, pictured, is located opposite to the Residenzadministrative palace, and next to the monumental Feldherrnhalle loggia.
PHOTO: A detail from Theatine church’s Rococo facade, added to the church in 18th century.
Italian architect Agostino Barelli designed the church, and his work was continued by Enrico Zuccali.
Zuccali added to the plans, for example, the church’s magnificent 71 meter (232 ft) tall dome, as well as the twin towers.
The Rococo exteriors were, meanwhile, added later by François Cuvilliés, during a rebuilding of 1765-68, when Maximillian III Joseph was in power.
The church, with its Mediterranean look and unique yellow color scheme, became a Munich symbol and it had a major impact on Southern German Baroque architecture in general.
Inside the church, highlights include…
- bas-reliefs from Nicolo Petri (1685-1688) & Wolfgang Leutner, and
- altar art from Caspar de Crayer, Carlo Cignani, George Desmareés, and Joachim Sandrart.
Theatine church had, over the years, a significant role in the life of the ruling dynasty of Bavaria, Wittelsbachs.
It was a court church and one of the main burial places for Wittelsbach family members…together with Frauenkirche and St. Michael Jesuit church.
Theatine church
Address: Theatinerstrasse 22, 80333 München, Germany
Facebook: Facebook.com/pages/Theatinerkirche-St-Kajetan/154103781287257
Official website: Theatinerkirche.de
….including Ferdinand Maria, Maximilian Emanuel, Emperor Charles VII, Maximilian III Joseph, King Maximilian I, and King of Greece, Otto, as well as Prince-Regent Luitpold.