On Sunday, September 13, the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising will participate in the nationwide “Tag des offenen Denkmals” (Day of Open Monuments). Under the theme “NETWORKS: Monuments & Infrastructure,” numerous sacred buildings and other listed historical structures will welcome visitors, offering a unique opportunity to experience spirituality, history, and art. This event also provides a rare glimpse behind the scenes of these historic buildings and their contemporary uses.
Featured Locations and Special Programs
Ursuline Convent in Landshut
The Ursuline Convent in Landshut (Neustadt 535), which has been transformed into a modern educational center, will showcase the synergy between monument preservation and current utility. Following extensive renovations, guided tours at 10 AM and 11 AM will introduce visitors to various parts of the convent and detail the recent construction and restoration efforts. Additional tours will explore the Ursuline Church, inviting guests to engage with the city’s historical narrative in a distinctive manner.
Beuerberg Monastery
Beuerberg Monastery (Königsdorfer Straße 7), located in the district of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen, reopened a year ago as a church seminar and cultural center, complete with accommodation and catering facilities. It will host guided tours at 11 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2 PM. Starting at 1 PM, a hands-on activity titled “Postcards from the Monastery” will be offered in the monastery’s atelier. The day will culminate with a concert by the Bavarian Youth Baroque Orchestra at 5 PM.
Fürstenried Palace in Munich
Fürstenried Palace in Munich (Forst-Kasten-Allee 103), which has served as a retreat house for the Archdiocese since 1925, will commence its day at 10 AM with a church service in its chapel. From 12 PM to 4:30 PM, guided tours of the palace and its park will be available, alongside beekeeper-led tours. Visitors can observe the palace’s own bee colonies within the park and enjoy coffee, cake, and other specialties.
Catholic Academy in Bavaria, Munich-Schwabing
In Munich-Schwabing, the Catholic Academy in Bavaria (Gunezrainerstraße 7) will participate with the Baroque Suresnes Palace and the historic Viereckhof. Both structures can be explored independently from 11 AM to 5 PM. Lectures titled “The History of Our Monuments” will be held four times a day – at 11:30 AM, 1 PM, 2:30 PM, and 4 PM – offering insights into the history of both buildings. Weather permitting, the park will also be open to visitors.
St. Gabinus Parish Church in Unterweikertshofen
In Unterweikertshofen, Dachau district, the Baroque St. Gabinus Parish Church (St.-Gabinus-Weg 4) will be open from 1 PM to 5 PM. In addition to church tours at 1 PM and 2:30 PM, exhibition panels will provide information about the restoration work carried out in recent years. This will highlight not only the church’s historical furnishings but also the extensive efforts required for their preservation.
Calvary Hill in Bad Tölz
A special occasion awaits visitors at Calvary Hill in Bad Tölz. In its jubilee year, 300 years after its consecration, a festive church service will take place at 10 AM. Guided tours of the Cross and Staircase Church will be offered at 2 PM and 4:30 PM. The Catholic double church of Heilig Kreuz (Holy Cross) was constructed between 1723 and 1726. Beneath the upper church lies a burial chapel featuring a “Holy Staircase”: two staircases, each with 28 steps, lead upwards, while the central section is designated for prayer on one’s knees.
Additional Participating Locations and Insights
Beyond these highlighted locations, numerous other churches and monuments throughout the Archdiocese will open their doors. Guided tours will be available in churches across Munich and in the districts of Dachau, Ebersberg, Erding, Rosenheim, and Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen. Many parishes will also have church guides on hand to offer visitors unique insights into the history, art, and architecture of their sacred spaces.
This annual event provides a valuable opportunity for the public to connect with the rich cultural and spiritual heritage preserved within these historic church buildings, understanding their past and appreciating their ongoing role in contemporary society.
Further information about the “Tag des offenen Denkmals” and all offerings within the Archdiocese can be found at www.tag-des-offenen-denkmals.de.
Source: Press Office of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising
