St. Anna Damenstift, Munich

The Women's Collegiate Church of Saint Anna is situated in Munich's historic Old Town. This collegiate institution originally served as a religious sanctuary for women hailing from aristocratic backgrounds.

The Saint Anna Damenstift was established under the patronage of Elector Charles Albert, who later ascended to become the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VII. Initially, it operated as an abbey for nuns following the Salesian order, eventually evolving into the Order of Saint Anna, exclusively admitting women from aristocratic families. Several daughters of Bavaria's ruling family held positions as Abbesses within the institution. The architectural design of the church was the work of Johann Baptist Gunetzrhainer, while the interiors were adorned by the artistic talents of brothers Cosmas Damian Asam and Egid Quirin Asam. The church was consecrated in the year 1735.

During World War II, the church suffered extensive damage due to bombings, with its external walls nearly obliterated. Remarkably, the baroque interior of the church endured the devastation, and the restoration of the building only took place in 1980.

Today, the Saint Anna Damenstift functions as a parish church within Munich's Saint Peter parish, and the former convent has been repurposed as a high school. Notable treasures housed within the church include Joseph Ruffini's altarpiece depicting the Virgin and Child, as well as the frescoes found in the bay, dome ceiling, and choir room, all created by Cosmas Damian Asam.