Monday, November 5, 2007

Asamkirche (München)
Munich's Catholic Church of St. Johann Nepomuk, better known as the Asam Church, was built from 1733 to 1746 by the brothers Egid Quirin Asam and Cosmas Damian Asam as their private church. Due to resistance of the citizens, the brothers were forced to make the church accessible to the public, though they had taken on all the costs of building. The Asamkirche is one of the most splendid achievements of Bavarian late Baroque architecture or rococo. It is framed by the Asamhaus (Asam House), built in 1733, on the right and the Priest's House (built in 1771) on the left.
The ornate facade tells about the deeds of St. John of Nepomuk. The ceiling of the church is decorated by magnificent paintings and gold trim, and the high altar shows the Chair of Mercy Group, with God the Father and the crucified Christ. Ignaz Günther created the two angels of the fraternity altar in 1767; they were acquired and added later.