The main western facade is decorated with a large relief of a battle scene. The entrance was traditionally via external staircases decorated with the head of Frederick Barbarossa.
However, visitors now skip the 136 stairs and simply enter via the narrow doors directly below the 20-m high archangel Michael. St Michael has been considered the heavenly protector of Germany at least since the 10th century and the Battle of the Lech where German nations defeated the Magyars. Above the angel is the Prussian battle motto “Gott mit uns” (God with us).