Wittenberg is located on the river Elbe which is towards the southwest of Berlin. The first mention of Wittenberg in the historical documents date back to the year 1180, also they state that the city was chartered in 1293. Ever since then the city has been of a considerable historical importance. For instance, it was the residence of Ascanian dukes and electors of Saxony from the year 1212 till the time it was taken over by the house of Wettin in 1423.
The Capitulation of Wittenberg was signed by John Frederick the Magnanimous at the point in time when the electorate passed from the Ernestine to the Albertine line of the Wettins. The city also witnessed French occupation in 1806. They are also responsible for the fortification of the town in 1813. However, the very next year these fortifications were stormed by the Prussian troops and it gave way to them in 1815.
The most significant and probably the only reason that the town is well known was the Reformation. The Reformation was started here on the 31st of October in 1517 when Wittenberg’s most famous resident, Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-five Theses on to the wooden doors of the Castel Church. However this door was destroyed in the fire of 1760 it still continues to be symbolic of the revolution. The grave of Luther is situated inside the church courtyard. In the year 1858 the church was restored and a bronze door was installed in the place of the old wooden one. This door contains the Latin text of the Theses.
The city of Wittenberg became UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. Visitors flock here each year from all over the world to witness the very locale where immense historically significant events took place. Wittenberg is located at a distance of about an hour on the IC train form Berlin. Berlin is also the closest major city from this sleepy town. The town is not that big and can be covered in its entirety in a days’ worth of time.
About Wittenberg
Located in the East German region is the sleepy little town called Wittenberg. By no means does it give away its underlying historical importance. The city of Wittenberg was the centre of a major revolution which was performed here in the 16th century. This revolution shook the very foundation of Christendom.
This revolution was marked by the affiliation of Martin Luther who lived and preached here. It was in this town that he nailed his 95 Theses on the very doors of the Castle Church in the year 1517 on the 31st of October.
The official name of Wittenberg is Lutherstadt-Wittenberg. The name of Martin Luther is ingrained in the walls of the town. So much so that everywhere you turn you can find associations from his life. Even in the local stores you can find books, posters, mugs, statues and also Martin Luther socks. Apart from all of this, the town still carries its bright medieval charm in all its glory.
The town is a walker’s town. It was designed in such a manner that would facilitate easy walking. The old town is quite long but has narrow alleys and streets and is largely laid flatly alongside of two parallel streets. These streets are pedestrian only Collegienstrasse and Mittelstrasse. It is along these two streets that you can find most of the historical sights. For instance the Castle Church is located right at the end of Schlossstrasse.
You can also find a stream running along the main street which is partially underground. Upon reaching half way through the street you realise that it leads to a rather attractive square. Here is where the central market is located along with the stratus of Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon. In this square you can also find the Town Church Towers.
Across the town the one thing that strikes the most is the pastel colours which the buildings carry. There are a number of inviting restaurants which present many of the German delicacies along with the legendary local hospitality. If you happen to visit Wittenberg during the warmer months you will see that the various restaurants there also provide seating facilities on the outside on the sidewalks. It is a great way of watching people and relaxing.
Once you reach Wittenberg the numerous sights might at first seem rather overwhelming to cover at once in a rush. You can cover the whole town within a day. The following is a list of places that can be seen:
- Wittenberg: The town by itself is dotted with beautiful 16th century houses and a remarkable market square.
- The Castle Church: This is the very church where Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses. Also, his grave is located inside the church vicinity.
- The Town Church: This church is adorned in features of medieval architecture, also it is the place where Martin Luther delivered is famous sermons.
- Luther’s Residence: Martin Luther lived and preached here for a very long time in Wittenberg. His residence here is quite a tourist spot which is a converted cloister where he resided along with his family. Today his residence has been converted into a museum.
- The Oak Tree: This famous Oak tree is famous because at this spot Luther buried the Papal Bull.
- Lucas Cranch’s Home: Lucas Cranch was the famous artist who documented the Reformation movement through his portraits and woodcuts.
- The Castel Museum: The Castle Museum is a part of the Castle Church building. Here you can find documentations dating back to the time of prehistory right through the middle ages and then also of the Prussian garrison town.
- Philip Melanchthon’s House: The house is located on Collegienstrasse. Philip Melanchthon was the friend of Martin Luther and a fellow theologian whose contributions to Luther’s doctrines are immensely regarded.
- Haus der Geschichte: This museum is located on the Schlossstrasse. It is credited to house the remnants from East Germany. These rooms were furnished in the 1950’s, 60’s and the 70’s DDR style.
- The Second Hand Shop: On the Mittelstrasse there is a very interesting second hand shop which houses German army items dating back from World War II to the present times.
The city of Wittenberg becomes a medieval village twice a year. During these times here you can see people parading themselves in costumes and music resembling the countryside playing everywhere. At certain spots you can also find hearty peasant fares and plenty of wine and beers being served along with medieval dancing, juggling and processions which follow.
At this time there is also a celebration performed which marks Luthers Hochzeit, or Luther’s wedding. Through this tradition the wedding of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora is celebrated by the local people.
Another medieval faire is the Reformation Fest which is characterised by classical concerts, plays, seminars, and special church services. This tradition is observed each year in the month of October on the 31st which is also the date at which Luther nailed the 95 Theses.
History
Records and surveys have shown that the first mention of a settlement in this region dates back to the year 1180. During this time there are references which mention a small village which was founded by the Flemish colonists under the patronage of the House of Ascania. This very village served as the residence of the dukes of Saxe-Wittenberg from 1260 onwards. It was also granted the town charter to be as a free-standing town in the year 1293.
In the due course of time it was seen that Wittenberg developed as a major trading centre. The importance grew mainly because of the central location of Wittenberg. The town moved from the Ascanians to the House of Wettin. With this transfer the influences of the town increased and it also became an important centre for political and culture by the end of the 15th century. Around the same time Frederick III “the Wise”, the Elector of Saxony adopted Wittenberg as his residence. With that happening, the boundaries of the town were expanded and it reached newer and grander proportions. Between 1486 and 1490 a second bridge was constructed over the Elbe along with the Castle Church being erected between 1496 and 1506. At around the same time the palace of the Elector was being rebuilt.
There is also the Wittenberg University which was made famous by the most popular teachers who lived here, Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon. This university is known to have been founded by elector Frederick the Wise in 1502. Nearly three hundred years later, in 1817 it merged with the University of Halle. The both of them collectively formed the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg.
On the 31st of October 1517 Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-five Theses in opposition of the selling of indulgences at the doorsteps of the All Saints’, the Castle Church. This incident marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation movement. Wittenberg was also home to the Anabaptist movement at the time when the Zwickau prophets migrated here in the latter parts of 1521. They could not sprout much because of the suppression form Martin Luther himself who returned from his visit to Wartburg in the spring of 1522.
The next important year in the town’s life history is 1547 when the Capitulation of Wittenberg was undertaken. This was signed by John Frederick the Magnanimous when he was compelled to resign from the electoral dignity and the town went to the House of Wettin.
When the Seven Years’ War arrived in 1760, the Prussian occupied parts of the town were bombarded by the Austrians. Later-on Wittenberg went to the French in 1806. The town then was fortified as per the commandments of Napoleon in 1813. The very next year the Prussian Army under the leadership of Tauentzien stormed the town and as a reward Tauentzien was given the title of von Wittenberg. Finally, in 1815 the town became a formal part of the Prussia and it was regarded to be under the administrative rule of the Province of Saxony.
During the destruction of the World War II most of the town apart from its town centre was destroyed. The fighting did continue within the townscape despite the Allies agreeing to the fact that Wittenberg was to be spared from the horror. Also as per beliefs one can find many bullet pocks-marks on the statues of Luther and Melanchthon at the market square. But as a matter of fact the statue of Luther was absent from the market square during the war time. The statue was stored at a distance north of Wittenberg at Luther Brunnen.
When the war ended Wittenberg came under the control of the Soviet forces and thus becoming a part of East Germany. Later-on, there were many peaceful revolutions that were taking place and as a result the communist regime of East Germany finally fell by 1989.
While travelling to Wittenberg
The city of Wittenberg is located right on the river Elbe in the eastern region of the German land. It is at a distance of 62 miles or a 100 kilometres in the southwest of Berlin. There are indeed train rides also available which cut short the duration of travel to just about an hour from Berlin and Leipzig.
Wittenberg also has a train station which is situated in the east of the Old Town. Once you get out of the station, you must turn to the street named as: Am Hauptbahnhofstrasse. This street will direct you to all the major locations and will lead you directly to the centre of the town.
When you reach the traffic circle, on the right you will notice the famous Oak tree. You can turn right from here and be able to reach the main street of the old town which is the Collegienstrasse. On the far end of Collegienstrasse you will find the Castel Church or the Schlosskirche. You will also notice that once you are on the way to reach the castle, Luther’s house which has been converted to a museum will be one of the major sites that you pass by. The Town Church can be found on the parallel street – Mittelstrasse, also there are these enormous towers which can hardly be missed.
General tourist information
An important location for tourist to keep in mind is the west end of Schlossstrasse. It is here that the Tourist Information office is located. The Castle Church can be considered as a landmark because the office is located right opposite to it. All the maps of the region along with information concerning the local activate can be found here. The Tourist Information Office also allows you to book hotels in case you do not have any reservations. They also have a little office located in front of the train station. This particular office is but open for a limited number of hours, also they are closed on Saturday afternoons along with Sundays. The main office is however open otherwise every day except in winters. You can go on organising tours in English from the Tourist Office. The general tours are conducted in German. You can also get a do-it-yourself audio tour and also the cell phone tour where just by dialling a certain number and an extension code appropriate to the site, you can then gain access to all the required information of the particular site.