St. Boniface’s Abbey

St. Boniface’s Abbey stands in Munich’s Maxvorstadt district, a Benedictine monastery founded in 1835 by King Ludwig I of Bavaria. Built in Byzantine style, the abbey was completed and dedicated in 1850. Unlike most Benedictine houses, it sits within a city rather than a rural setting. The church holds the tombs of King Ludwig I and his queen, Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen. During the Second World War the abbey was heavily damaged and only partly restored afterwards. The monks still maintain a priory at Andechs, once a wealthy monastery itself, which King Ludwig acquired and gave to St. Boniface’s to secure its income. The community’s work includes parish ministry, scholarship and education, and care for the homeless. Abbot Johannes Eckert has led the abbey since 2003, following Odilo Lechner who served from 1967 to 2003. Earlier abbots included Bonifaz Haneberg and Benedikt Zenetti, who shaped the community in the 19th century. The abbey belongs to the Bavarian Congregation of the Benedictine Confederation. Its library preserves records from the early years of the foundation. Visitors enter a church whose interior reflects the Byzantine revival style chosen by King Ludwig. The nave and domes create a calm atmosphere for prayer and reflection. The abbey precincts include the parish buildings where the monks continue their daily round of worship and service. The surrounding Maxvorstadt area, with its cafés and university buildings, offers a contrast between urban life and monastic quiet.