München Salvatorplatz

Salvatorplatz in Munich's Old Town is home to St. Salvator, a historic Gothic brick church that originally served as the cemetery church of the Frauenkirche. Located in the Kreuzviertel, near the former city wall, the building reflects the city's urban development. When the cemeteries around the central churches were no longer large enough in the 15th century, Duke Albrecht IV ordered the cemetery moved to the edge of town. The shell of Salvator Church was completed in 1493, and it was solemnly consecrated on August 15, 1494. The master builder is not documented in any record, but it is thought that Lukas Rottaler, a student of Jörg von Halsbach, was responsible for the project.

The church's history is marked by changing uses. After the cemetery was closed in 1789 and secularization followed, the building faced demolition, but it was used as a depot and later as a granary. Not until 1829 was St. Salvator handed over to the Greek Orthodox community, after King Ludwig I released the building for use. The conversion for the Orthodox rite was carried out under the direction of the architect Leo von Klenze, who reconsecrated the church on December 18, 1829. Since then it has been the seat of the "Transfiguration of the Savior" congregation and belongs to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Germany. A long-running legal dispute over usage rights, which at times made the church inaccessible, was finally settled in 1999 when the church was transferred to the Metropolis.

Today, visitors can admire the architectural blend of Gothic brick construction with later Baroque and Orthodox influences. Notable works of art include the late Gothic stained-glass windows, four restored examples of which were reinstalled after being rediscovered in 2000, as well as remnants of frescoes on the north facade. The iconostasis, designed by Leo von Klenze, defines the interior. The tower, which was re-Gothicized in the 19th century, once again carries a spire in its original Gothic style. The church is not only a place of worship but also a testament to Munich's cultural and religious diversity, shaped by its close ties to the Greek community and the historical significance of the site as a former cemetery with prominent burials such as François de Cuvilliés and Hans Mielich.