St. Michael München

This guide to St. Michael's Church in Munich opens on May 10, 1590, when the half-built tower of Duke William V's brand-new church collapsed, smashing the freshly built choir to rubble. It follows William's response, having already torn down eighty-seven houses to build the largest Renaissance church north of the Alps, and pushing through an even bigger rebuild after the disaster. Look for the doorway near the side chapel that leads down into the crypt where William is buried today.