St. Martin

In the charming Bavarian town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, nestled amidst the breathtaking alpine scenery, stands the magnificent St. Martin’s Church. This Catholic parish church is not just a place of worship but a splendid example of South German Baroque architecture. Built between 1730 and 1734 by the renowned architect Joseph Schmuzer, St. Martin’s Church is a beacon of history, art, and spirituality that draws visitors from far and wide.

The History of St. Martin’s Church

The origins of St. Martin’s Church can be traced back to around 750 AD, when Irish and Scottish monks began converting the Bavarian Oberland to Christianity. It is believed that a wooden church dedicated to St. Martin, the most significant saint in the Frankish Empire, was erected during this period. As the centuries passed, the original wooden structure was replaced by a stone building during the Romanesque era.

By the 18th century, the existing church had become too small for the growing congregation. Consequently, the decision was made to construct a new church south of the Loisach River on the edge of the Loisachgries, on a site known as Nikolausanger. The foundation stone was laid on August 15, 1730, by Prelate Patritius, the Provost of Rottenbuch. The construction, led by Joseph Schmuzer, was completed in 1734. The new church, built in the typical South German Baroque style, was consecrated on September 23, 1734, and dedicated once again to St. Martin.

Interestingly, the original plans included two church towers, but only one was built due to the restrictions imposed by the Prince-Bishop of Freising, who was also the ruler of Garmisch and the County of Werdenfels. The entire construction cost amounted to 12,000 guilders, with significant contributions from the local community in the form of voluntary labor. The stones used for the new church were sourced from the demolished Werdenfels Castle.

In recent years, St. Martin’s Church underwent extensive renovations. Starting in 2007, the church’s roof and facade were restored, followed by the interior, including the ceiling and wall frescoes, in 2010. During the renovation, severe damage to the wooden floor under the pews was discovered and addressed. The renovation was completed in 2011 at a cost of approximately 4 million euros, with the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising covering the majority of the expenses.

Architectural Marvel

St. Martin’s Church is a late Baroque hall church with transept-like chapels and a recessed choir. The three-bay nave, adorned with slender Corinthian double pilasters, exudes a sense of openness and light. The short entablatures above the pilaster capitals, combined with the round-arched windows and broad, curved semicircular windows, ensure ample natural light fills the space. The west end of the church features a music gallery and a smaller organ gallery above it.

The church's characteristic vaulting is particularly notable. The individual vault sections are domed, meaning the center of the vault is higher than the apex of the arch. The transept-like chapels have straight ends, are covered by transverse barrels, and feature rounded corners with curved thermal windows. Each chapel has an oratory balcony on its east wall. The vault in the nave has a flatter cross-section than that in the choir, resulting in a non-concentric triumphal arch leading to the choir. The choir itself consists of a transverse rectangular bay covered by a barrel with capstones and an altar house surmounted by a dome. The altar house features curved trefoil windows above the round-arched windows.

Artistic Treasures

The ceiling paintings in St. Martin’s Church were created by Matthäus Günther, while the frescoes near the organ gallery were painted by Franz Seraph Zwinck. The high altar, a columnar entablature architecture of the Corinthian order, is a masterpiece. Its six columns support a heavily profiled entablature, above which rises the altar extension framed by volute supports and crowned by the Virgin Mary in a glory of rays. The entablature of the altar and the extension is broken, with trumpeting angel figures seated on the entablature fragments. The altarpiece, painted by Martin Speer from Regensburg in 1734, depicts the division of St. Martin’s cloak. The elaborately gilded tabernacle is located in the base area of the high altar. Gilded wooden statues of Saints Peter and Paul, created by Anton Sturm from Füssen in 1734, flank the altarpiece. The four-column side altars at the choir entrance, created by Franz Xaver Schmädl from Weilheim in 1752, and the chapel altars at the end walls from the late 18th century, reflect the calming of forms indicative of the approaching Classicism.

The Majestic Organ

The church’s organ, built in 1978 by organ builder Gerhard Schmid from Kaufbeuren, is a mechanical slider chest instrument with 29 stops distributed over three manual works and a pedal. The organ’s tonal and register actions are mechanical, and it features couplings I/II, III/II, I/P, II/P, and III/P.

The Tower Bells

The church tower houses a monumental peal of eight bronze bells. Seven of these bells were cast in 1958 by Karl Czudnochowsky in Erding, while the sixth bell is a historical bell dating back to 1513.

St. Martin’s Church in Garmisch-Partenkirchen is not just a place of worship but a testament to the town’s rich history, architectural splendor, and artistic heritage. A visit to this magnificent church offers a serene and enriching experience, making it a must-see for anyone exploring this beautiful Bavarian town.