Haus Of God

Outside of Italy, Germany has some of the most spectacular churches, cathedrals and abbeys that I personally have even seen. There must be at least a half a dozen houses of worship in the shot above alone, including the yellow St. Dominic's Abbey in the foreground.

The German national constitution guarantees religious freedom, but the primary faiths are Catholicism and Protestantism, along with a burgeoning Jewish and Muslim population.

Bavaria, however, is over 80 percent Roman Catholic and the churches here are some of the most ornate and elaborate anywhere outside the Vatican.

In 2005, for the first time in almost five centuries, a German -- Joseph Ratzinger (right), the Archbishop of Munich -- was elected Pope. Fittingly, he chose the name of Pope Benedict XVI. Needless to say, His Holiness is quite popular in these parts.

In the Altstadt (Old Town) in the Munich city center, the twin copper onion domes of Frauenkirchen (Church of Our Lady, above) are visible for miles. The red brick exterior of the church belies the soaring passage of light on the inside of this splendid house of worship.

Adjacent to the front doors of the church is a footprint cast in the pavement (left); legend has it that the devil lost a bet with the architect of Frauenkirchen and stomped out in disgust.

The tomb of Ludwig the Bavarian (Ludwig I) can be found in the choir.

Aside from the intricately beautiful stained glass windows, Frauenkirchen also features numerous paintings and sculptures. Excellent views of Munich and vicinity are afforded from the top of the towers.

Not far from Frauenkirchen is St. Peterskirche, founded in 1732. Located across the Marianplatz from the New Rathaus, St. Peterskirche (Church of St. Peter) is truly gothic in its exterior design, though the inside is relatively subdued compared to some in the neighborhood.

However, the church has a magnificent high altar and visually stunning statues, such as this one of St. Peter (right).

Along the city's main shopping strip, the Michaelskirche (St. Michael's Church) is one of Munich's most fantastic cathedrals.

The cathedral's tall ceiling is huge and has no supporting columns.

Beneath the main church is a crypt featuring the tombs of the ruling Wittelsbach family. St. Michaelskirche is the final resting place of Ludwig II, the most beloved king to ever rule Bavaria.

As spectacular as all these churches are two smaller "hauser mitt Gott" (houses of God), the Asamkirche (St. Johann Nemopuk) and the nearby Damenstiftskirche (Women's Collegiate Church), both designed as private chapels by the prolific Asam brothers, who lived next door.

Both baroque in style, not one square inch of either church is unembellished. The Asamkirche is particularly compelling (below), but not to be outdone, the Damenstiftskirche has a full size rendition of the Last Supper (above).

Unfortunately, both the Catholic and Protestant denominations are losing worshipers, which is more than likely attributable to a 8-9 percent tithe paid by those who belong to each faith.