A Bavaria Church is Beautiful, No Matter What Style…

The Bavaria church (kirche) has much to offer its visitor. If you are an architecture buff, satisfaction is guaranteed. Several types of architectural styles make up the majority of churches and monasteries of Bavaria. From the Romanesque style of medieval times, to the more recent Rococo style of the 18th century, the churches here can take your breath away.

Catholicism plays a very important role in Bavarian, and German culture. It is understandable then, how the beautiful cathedrals and churches that cover the Bavarian countryside are prized and well maintained by the people who live and worship at them. Below is a review of some of the different churches to be seen in Bavaria, and what architecture influenced designing and building of the church.

Romanesque Architecture

Medieval architecture is best summed up with Romanesque style. True to its name, the style reminds one of the Roman style and can be recognized by the rounded arches and large towers, and also thick and sturdy walls. Many castles in Germany and Bavaria were built with this style as well. The popularity of Romanesque started as early as the late 5th century and lost popularity around the 12th century. The Basilica St. Michael in Altenstadt (near the city of Schongau) is a great example of this architecture. Another church in Bavaria that is in this style is the Wurzburg Cathedral. An example of Romanesque style is below:

bavaria church, romanesque church

The Gothic Style...

Following the Romanesque popularity in Bavaria and throughout Europe is the Gothic style. Beginning around the 12th century, Gothic became a popular choice for a Bavaria church to be built in. During this middle and late medieval period, the Gothic style was also known as “the French Style”. The arches became more pointed and arc-boutant or flying buttress became the fashion for cathedrals. The Regensburg Cathedral and parts of the Bamberg Cathedral are great examples. See an example of the Gothic style below.

bavaria church, gothic church, Germany

Renaissance, Baroque, and Bavarian Rococo...

Starting in the early 15th century and going into the 17th century, you can find many churches and similar buildings made in the Renaissance style. This style is best known for its roman-like classic look. Domes and columns are featured in this classical architecture. The Michaelskirche in Munich, Bavaria is in Renaissance style.

The Baroque architectural period follows the Renaissance in the timeline of church architecture in Bavaria and Germany. Beginning in the 17th century, beautiful cathedrals and churches were built with this stronger more sculptured looking style. It takes the look of colonial type buildings and can look a little less ornate from the outside. Many churches in Bavaria are built in this baroque style – the Passau Cathedral, the Regensburg Cathedral ( also listed above because of its Romanesque aspects), the Vierzehnheiligen in Oberfranken, the Asamkirche Maria de Victoria in Ingolstadt, the St. Denis at Kloster Shaftslarn, Marienmunster in Dieâen, the Klosterkirche in Rott am Inn, St Margareta in Osterhofen and the Kloster Weltenburg.

The Bavarian Rococo style is popular as well. This ornate and “pretty” style began becoming popular in Germany in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is my favorite of the architectural styles used the Bavaria church. Sometimes the buildings, which can often be found with a pastel pink or blue color, and gold trimmed wood and other carvings, remind me of a birthday cake. Rococo lends itself to a more rounded and softer look. Perhaps Rococo is what you think of when picturing ornate frescos on the ceilings of country Bavarian churches? An example of the Bavarian Rococo style includes the Wieskirche (shown below) and the church in Ottobeuren.

bavaria church, wieskirche, Germany, Cathedral

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