Theatine Church, Munich

The Theatinerkirche, or Theatine Church of St. Cajetan, on Odeonsplatz in Munich is Bavaria's first Baroque church and one of the best-known landmarks of the old town. Its yellow facade, huge dome and twin towers define the city skyline. Admission is free, and inside you find a bright, richly decorated interior and the crypt of the Wittelsbach rulers. It makes a perfect short stop on a walk between the Residenz and Marienplatz.

History in brief

Electress Henriette Adelaide of Savoy vowed in 1659 to build an especially beautiful church. The foundation stone was laid on April 29, 1663, and the church was consecrated on July 11, 1675, still largely a shell. Agostino Barelli drew up the design, Enrico Zuccalli added the exterior, dome and towers, and Giovanni Viscardi took over construction. The yellow Rococo facade was designed by François de Cuvilliés the Elder and completed by his son.

World War II caused heavy damage, and the high altar was destroyed on January 7, 1945. Rebuilding began in 1946 and was largely finished by 1955. Dominican friars have run the church since 1954, and a renovation lasted from 2001 to 2019.

What to see

• The facade and towers: The towers are about 65 meters high.
• The dome: About 70 meters high and 17.7 meters wide, it shapes both the interior and the skyline.
• The nave: 72.5 meters long and 15.5 meters wide.
• The Wittelsbach crypt: Between 47 and 49 members of the ruling family are buried here, including Prince Regent Luitpold. We could not confirm how visitors can see the crypt.

Opening hours and admission (as of October 2026)

The church is open daily, 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. according to its website, and entry is free. It is an active place of worship, so visits may be limited during services. Plan 20 to 30 minutes. Guided tours run on set dates; one is scheduled for October 17, 2026 at 2 p.m. at the main portal, with no registration.

How to get there

The church is at Theatinerstraße 22, 80333 Munich, on the west side of Odeonsplatz. Take the U3 or U6 subway to Odeonsplatz; buses 100 and 153 also stop there. Munich's Hauptbahnhof is a short ride away, and the Deutschlandticket covers local transit. The church has a step-free entrance, and there is a hearing loop for pews 5 to 8.

Nearby

The Hofgarten, the Residenz and the Feldherrnhalle are right next door, and Marienplatz is a few minutes on foot.