Lutherstadt Wittenberg - The cradle of the Reformation
As Martin Luther pinned at the front door of the Wittenberg Church, on the 31st of October 1517, his 95 propositions and critics against the flourishing indulgence trade, it was a strike against the Middle-Age world order.
In Wittenberg, one can still feel the spirit of the Reformation. In front of the main entrance of the Renaissance City Hall is a sculpture from Johann Gottfried Schadow representing Luther with a Bible in his hand. Another monument shows Philipp Melanchton with his “Augsburg Confessions”. The house of the Luther’s fellow and its historical garden remains one of the most beautiful buildings of this time and belongs to the World Culture Heritage.
In the Church Saint Marien, the favourite Church of Luther, you can discover the exceptional Reformation altar from Lucas Cranach the Older.
The Luther’s house at the Collegien Street 54, was since 1508 and for the next 38 years, the main centre of Luther’s influence.
That’s where he had his “Reformation discovery”, where he taught students from all over Europe, where he married Katharina von Bora in 1525, where he began with his “table speeches” and where he also started to translate the Old Testament with some of his fellows.
For Luther’s 400th birth celebration in 1883, the place turned to the biggest and most important Museum for the History of the Reformation in the world. The Museum is since March 2003 reconstructed and completely new arranged.
Other worth seeing places
Late Gothic Castle and Castle Church
The former Prince’s Castle and the Church were built between 1490 and 1511 under Friedrich the Wise. Luther pinned his 95 propositions at the wooden Church main door in order to initiate a debate about the situation of the Church. In the richly artistic decorated Castle Church, you can find the graves of Luther and Melanchton. The Castle, the city Church, Luther’s house and Melanchton house as well belong since 1996 to the UNESCO World Culture Heritage.
Leucorea, the first princely University
which was built from Prince Friedrich the Wise in 1502, was rapidly an intellectual centre in Europe. The Leucorea is since 1817 unified with the Martin-Luther-University of Halle-Wittenberg.
Melanchton house
Collegienstr. 60, built in 1536. It is probably one of the most beautiful houses of the city.
Cranach courtyards
Schlossstr. 1:house of Lucas Cranach the Older Markt 4: birth place of Cranach the Younger and seat of the Cranach foundation.
Wilhelm-Weber-House
Birth place of the physicist (October, 24th 1804 – June, 23rd 1891). Builder of the first electromagnetic telegraph installation.
Martin-Luther-High school
Extravagant reconstruction of a pre-fabricated high school (1995-1999), by the painter and graphic designer Friedensreich Hundertwasser (December, 15th 1928 - February, 19th 2000).
Information
Tourist information office
Schlossplatz 2, 06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Tel. +4 90 34 91/49 8610
Fax +4 90 34 91/49 8611
E-Mail:
wb_info@wittenberg.de
www.wittenberg.de
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