The Theatine Church is located diagonally opposite
to the Feldherrenhall (Field Marshals' Hall) and the Hofgarten (Court
Garden) on the Odeonsplatz (subway) and is within
reach of the Marienplatz.
The church's impressive yellow facade introduces a breath of Italy to Munich. Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, wife of the elector Ferdinand Maria, donated this church to the Italian Order of the Theatines in gratitude for the birth of the long-awaited heir to the throne Prince Max Emanuel. It was built in Baroque style and largely completed by 1688 by the masters Spinelli and Zucalli and received finishing touches in Rococo style by the Cuvilliés, father and son, in 1768. The donator did not live to see the church finished. The church's interior is unusual for Bavarian Churches. It is monumental and full of southern pathos , dominated by the white stucco works of the Italian stucco masters Moretti, Brenni and Perti. The church's high altar, whose gable figures represent dignitaries of the House of Savoy gives further evidence of the Italian influence.
Several members of the House of Wittelsbach have been buried in the Fürstengruft (Royal Sepulchre), amongst those the Elector Ferdinand Maria, his wife Henriette Adelaide of Savoy, their son Max Emanuel, elector Karl Theodor, the Emperor Karl VII, King Max I and King Otto of Greece, as well as Prince Regent Luitpold. Today the church's southern annex, the former monastery of the Theatines, houses the Bavarian State Ministry of Education and Culture.
Tip: Access to the Royal Sepulchre of the House of Wittelsbach is via the western lattice gate in the right transept.
Open from May
to November, Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 2 - 4.30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.