St. Michael Basilica

A significant sight of Altenstadt, Schongau, is the Romanesque basilica minor of St. Michael with remains of medieval wall painting and several examples of Romanesque sculpture. 

The basilica was built between 1180 and 1220 as the parish church of the settlement later known as Altenstadt in Upper Bavaria, Schongau. The late Romanesque building, made of tuff stone, has been almost entirely preserved or restored in its medieval form. The basilica is the only vaulted sacral building of the late Romanesque style in Bavaria. The most famous and significant artwork in the basilica is the 'Great God of Altenstadt.' The monumental 3.20-meter-high crucifix is flanked by depictions of Mary and John (copies, with the originals found in the Bavarian National Museum in Munich), situated on the modern rood screen above the choir entrance. The artwork dates back to the early 13th century. Instead of a crown of thorns, the Savior wears a gold band, depicting him as Christ the King.

In the choir and nave, several Romanesque and early Gothic frescoes have been preserved or uncovered. In the right (southern) side aisle, above the baptismal font, one can see the crucifixion, while in the choir, there is an image of the Archangel Michael as the weigher of souls and the Annunciation. On the inside of the west wall, during the renovation of the old organ in 1994, an eight-meter-high representation of Saint Christopher (circa 1200) was uncovered. The original baptismal font from the time of the church's construction has also been preserved. The chalice-shaped basin features reliefs of the Archangel Michael, the Madonna with Child, Saint John the Baptist, and the baptism of Jesus.

Address

St.-Michael-Straße 2, Schongau, Germany

Details

Founded: 1180-1220
Category: Religious sites in Germany
Historical period: Hohenstaufen Dynasty (Germany)