King Ludwig II rests in a crypt in Munich

The most famous ruler of Bavaria, King Ludwig ll (1845 to 1886) rests in the Munich, St. Michael church. The crypt in the cellar was designed as the burial site for the House of Wittelsbach

While staying in Munich a couple years ago, I stumbled upon a sign in front of a church while walking towards the Maximilianstrasse. I immediately recognised this familiar face of King Ludwig II.

I was curious and stepped inside St. Michael’s church and was greeted with early Baroque architecture. It turns out this structure is the largest Renaissance church north of the Alps and this style had a great influence on Southern Germany

St. Michael Munich, King Ludwig II burial place, Gruft — King Ludwig II burial place, Gruft

It happens that St. Michael church is the burial place of the House of Wittelsbach and therefore has a princely crypt, which is one of the most important burial places of the Bavarian dynasty alongside the Theatinerkirche and the Frauendom.

St. Michael Munich, King Ludwig II burial place

St. Michaels has an impressive exterior that contains statues of Duke Wilhelm and rulers of the Wittelsbacher, a Bavarian Dynasty. Cast in bronze, it symbolizes a family tree.

A large bronze statue between the two entrances shows the Archangel Michael fighting for the Faith and the killing of the Evil in the shape of a demon

The interior represents the conquer of the Roman Catholicism in South Germany, especially Bavaria, during the Counter-Reformation. The heavily indented arch and side aisles, even the side chapels are designed as a triumphal arch of ancient times.

The stucco of the nave represents the life of Jesus. The altarpiece “Annunciation” was created by Peter Candid (1587). The sculpture of the holy angel in the nave from Hubert Gerhard (1595).

The most famous ruler of Bavaria, King Ludwig ll (1845 to 1886) rests the basement of the St. Michael church. The crypt in the cellar was designed as the burial site for the House of Wittelsbach and therefore has a princely crypt, which is one of the most important burial sites of the Bavarian ruling house