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...where
the Protestant Reformation began. |
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Wittenberg
or Lutherstadt-Wittenberg
is forever famous as the place where on October 31, 1517, Martin
Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church. A
simple call for debate became the spark that ignited the Reformation.
Although both Luther and the door are long gone, you can stand before
the replica door, with all 95 Theses inscribed in bronze and think
about how one man, standing up for truth, could change the world
forever.
Wittenberg in Luther's day, was an emerging University town. When
Friedrich III the Wise (1463 - 1525) became ruler of Saxony he decided
to make Wittenberg his residence. It was the home of Professor and
Reformer Philip Melanchthon (1497 - 1560) , artist Lucas Cranach
the Elder and his son and many other prominent intellectuals.
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Castle
Church
The Castle and All Saints Church were built by Frederick the Wise
between 1490 and 1511. During the Seven Years' War, in 1760, the
Church was sadly destroyed by fire but was rebuilt in 1892 as a
Monument to the Reformation.
The
original door was unfortunately lost in the fire
of 1760. King Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia had the door replaced
with a bronze door with all 95 theses are inscribed. The painting
above the door depicts Luther with the German Bible on the right
and Melanchthon with the Augsburg Confession on the left. You can
see the city of Wittenberg in the background. Back
to top
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Luther and the 95 Theses:
It
was here that Martin Luther posted his 95 theses which called
for a dispute on the state of the Church. Why did he put a long,
detailed document on a church door? In those days, the wooden
door served as the University's bulletin board. He was opposing
the additions and conditions that had been placed on indulgences.
They were written in Latin, but were translated (without his permission)
into German and circulated very widely. The spark of Reformation
had been lit.
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Lutherhalle
(Luther's House) It was in 1508 that Luther, as an Augustinian monk,
first lived in this large home. It had been built Frederick the
Wise and is a magnificent example of late medieval architecture.
When the monastery was closed, Frederick the Wise gave the home
to Luther and his family.
The Luther House is now the largest museum for reformation history
in the world. In the collection, there are about 15,000 books and
pamphlets from the 16th - 18th centuries, about 13,000 individual
sheets from the 16th - 20th centuries, 6,000 original manuscripts
from the 11th - 19th centuries, about 1,600 coins and medallions,
135 paintings, 50 incunabula (early printed book) and one of a kind
pieces.The museum also houses many portraits of the Reformer and
his contemporaries by such great artists as Cranach. Back
to top |
Luther the family man:
Luther came to marriage late in life - he was 40 - but it seems
to have been a wonderful match. He married Katharina
von Bora, a former Nun in 1525 and they had 6 children and
looked after many others.
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Lucas
Cranach's House
Lucas
Cranach the Elder (1472 -1553) and his son Lucas Cranach the
Younger (1515 - 86) are very significant German artists. The impact
of the Reformation was due in part to their ability to illustrate
Luther's teachings in a way that made the Bible accessible to even
the most illiterate peasant. They also left a rich record of the
key figures of the Reformation, such as Luther, Katherine Von Bora
and Melanchthon. Back to top
The
Luther Monument
stands in the middle of the market square, and was unveiled at the
Reformation Festival in 1821. The statue of Luther, in preaching
robe and holding the Bible in his hands, stands on a high pedestal
of polished granite and is vaulted by an elaborate artistic canopy.
This tribute to the reformer is the first public monument dedicated
to a commoner in Germany and became the prototype for many later
monuments to Luther.
On the granite pedestal there are the following inscriptions(in
german):
East
side: "If it is of God, it will last; if it
is of man, it will pass."
North side: Established through
contributions raised by the "Mansfeld Society for Luther's
Monument" and erected by King Friedrich Wilhelm III.
West side: A Mighty Fortress is
Our God.
South side: Believe in the Gospel
(Good News).Back to top
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ELCA
Center
The
ELCA Wittenberg Center, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
of America, was inaugurated on May 9, 1999, at a Service of Dedication
in the Castle Church of All Saints in Wittenberg, Germany. This
new ministry has one overarching purpose: to explore and engage
the Lutheran tradition in order to inform, guide and renew the church's
mission today. It also facilitates English-language exchanges and
relationships between members of the ELCA and churches and agencies
in the Wittenberg area and other areas of Germany. The programs
promotes learning and research through the use of resources available
in Wittenberg and the surrounding area . To read more about the
ELCA, click
here. Back to top
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Mary's
is the oldest building in Wittenberg. The church has a gothic font,
which was used to baptize all 6 of Luther's children. This Bronze
font was created by Herman Vischer and is supported by columns depicting
the 12 apostles. The symbolism reminds a child's parents and godparents
that the gospel alone is the source of our salvation.
The Church also houses magnificent art by Cranach, including his
famous depiction of the Last Supper, where Martin Luther is depicted
as an apostle of Christ receiving communion. Back
to top
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Melanchthon's
House In
1518, Philipp Melanchthon came to Wittenberg. At first he owned
just a simple, half-timbered house. In 1536, he was given this beautiful
house with its striking gables by the Elector. The gate with the
carved seats is typical of the Renaissance. In this house are, among
other things, Melanchthon's study and the room where he died. By
the time he died, Melanchthon was already known as "Germany's teacher."
In the garden of the house, the professor's original granite table
stands between the 400-year old fir trees. Way in the back left
corner, next to the city wall, is a small herb garden. The herbs
and spices that were used during the Middle Ages are still planted
by the museum staff .Back to top
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The
Wittenberg English Ministry provides thirty minute
Christian devotional services in English, from May through October,
every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., and every Friday at 11:30 a.m., at
the Corpus Christi Kapelle next to the Town Church in Wittenberg.
Every Saturday evening English worship services are held from 6:30
p.m. to 7:30 p.m., alternating between Wittenberg's Town Church
and Castle Church. For more information click
here.
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History Highlights in Wittenberg:
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Martin
Luther:
-Taught
at the new University after his ordination in 1507.
-Felt compelled to write the 95 Theses after a pilgrimage
to Rome.
- Returned in 1522, after his exile in the Wartburg castle.
-Married Katharina von Bora.
-Hans Luft printed a hundred thousand copies of Luther's
New Testament for distribution. |
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 Selected
Cultural Events in Wittenberg: |
| Luther's
Wedding. This three day
celebration commemorating the marriage of Martin Luther
and Katherine von Bora takes place in June every year. |
| The
Reformation Festival
is one of the
best-known Autumn festivals in Saxony-Anhalt. The central
elements of the festival, which commemorates Martin Luther
posting the 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church,
are Church Music, lectures, readings, seminars, cabarets
and markets. |
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Have
you been to Wittenberg? Maybe
you live there...we want to here from you! Use the following form
to tell us your recommendations. Thank you! |
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©
Reformation Tours, LLC 2003
409 Portland Ave, Belleville, IL 62220
Tel: (618) 222-9914 • Fax: (618) 222-9917 • Toll Free: (800) 303-5534
info@reformationtours.com
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