As early as 1117 the first church was destroyed by an earthquake. Bishop Otto then had a romanesque house of worship constructed, with only minor changes being made to the mediaeval monastery's appearance until the 17th century. Following a fire in 1610, the church was rebuilt in a neo-gothic style. In the 18th century, the Dientzenhofer brothers gave the monastery a baroque facelift. The baroque church facade with its impressive flight of steps, the tomb of St. Otto and the neo-gothic reticulated vault are well worth seeing. A highlight inside the church is the "celestial garden", a fresco featuring 578 flowers and herbs. The terrace behind the church commands a panoramic view of the city. It is well worth strolling through the baroque terraced gardens, featuring a fountain and two pavilions.
Please note, that the church cannot be visited inside at the moment, as comprehensive restoration work is necessary and will probably take some years.
