Altar Munich

On the occasion of his first visit to Germany, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated a festive service in front of 250,000 pilgrims on the open-air grounds of the New Munich Trade Fair Centre on 10 September 2006. For this occasion, Werner Sobek designed the roofing for a polygonal altar island.

Filigree Membrane Structure for Distinguished Visitor

The Pope’s cathedral formed the highest point of the island and was spanned by a filigree membrane structure modelled on the traditional Catholic supporting canopy. It had the shape of a five-point sail, whose front edge supports lifted a large part of the surface far upwards. Towards the back, the sail was pulled downwards, creating a geometry that was optimal for the membrane.

The result was a wonderfully light superstructure with a barely perceptible supporting structure that nevertheless met the highest safety requirements.