The 1400 cubic meters (49,440cu.ft.) Catholic Snow Church, designed by Koeberl Doreinger Architekten Passau, is part of a 100 year-old tradition in the small Bavarian community of Mitterfirmiansreut.
The 26m (85ft) long and 11m (36ft) wide structure, complete with a 17m (56ft) tower, is designed to accommodate an estimated 200 people at a time. With ice block lined arches, daylight illuminates the inside of the church; blue lights are also used to light the church from the exterior at night.
The Snow Church is part of an annual commemoration of villagers who built a church of ice and snow in 1911 as they wanted a religious gathering place and their community didn’t have a church.
The church is a popular tourist attraction but it is only open to the public on chilly days. The Snow Church has been blessed for worship services, but cannot accommodate masses, weddings or baptisms.
Visit: http://www.schneekirche.com/
Via Reuters
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