Luther? - Wittenberg Marketing GmbH

LEGAL NOTICE
PUBLISHER MANAGING DIRECTOR
PROJECT MANAGER
EDITORIAL TEAM
COORDINATION
DESIGN
PRINTER
Lutherstadt Wittenberg Marketing GmbH
Johannes Winkelmann
Franka List
Lutherstadt Wittenberg Marketing GmbH in
­c onjunction with kleiner und bold GmbH, Berlin
Lutherstadt Wittenberg Marketing GmbH, Franka List
kleiner und bold GmbH, Berlin
MUNDSCHENK Druck+Medien, Lutherstadt
Wittenberg
PHOTO CREDITS
Unless otherwise stated, the rights to all photographs reproduced in this brochure
are held by Lutherstadt Wittenberg Marketing GmbH (photographers: Johannes
Winkelmann, Corinna Kroll, Jan P. Pajak, Jörg P. Pajak).
Double-page/aerial photograph of Lutherstadt Wittenberg © Steffen Mainka,
p. 4: Green light for industry © SKW Stickstoffwerke Piesteritz GmbH, p. 6:
Arsenal © Arsenal p. 9: Bath tub © Frank Sommer, Andreas Siewert, p. 11:
Graffiti © Achim Kuhn, p. 13: Theses door at the Castle Church © Investitionsund Marketinggesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt mbH, p. 17: Lecture hall at Luther
House and study at Melanchthon House © Stiftung Luthergedenkstätten in
Sachsen Anhalt, Anne Hasselbach, p. 17: Busts of Luther and Melanchthon ©
TourismusRegion Anhalt-Dessau-Wittenberg e. V., Sarah Filz, pp. 22–23: Interior
photo © Shutterstock, p. 28: Aerial photo © SKW Stickstoffwerke Piesteritz
GmbH, p. 30: Tomato © Shutterstock, p. 31: Magnetic crane traverse © Krafotec
Pannier GmbH Wittenberg, p. 31: Tank trailer © Feldbinder Spezialfahrzeugwerke
GmbH, p. 33: Masters’ Houses © Christoph Petras
Lutherstadt Wittenberg from above
Did you know?
Lutherstadt Wittenberg is
not just known for Luther’s
posting of his 95 theses on
the church door in 1517, but
also for a few astonishing
and some curious events.
Great-grandfather
of the mobile phone
In 1833, Wilhelm Weber, in collaboration with Carl Friedrich
Gauß, designed and built the first electromagnetic telegraph.
Weber House, where this famous son of the town was born, is
located at Schlossstraße 10.
973
The first reference to the present-day
territory of Lutherstadt Wittenberg.
Silent night,
holy
night
It is said that Martin Luther
was the inspiration behind the
figure of the Holy Christ, with
the Christ Child later supplanting Catholic St Nicholas
as the deliverer of presents at
Christmas.
30
minutes
Do you speak
1610
A medical first
On 21 April 1610, barber Jeremias
Trautmann performed the first
documented Caesarian section in
history.
The poisoner’s
Beer boots
Michael Stifel, a minister and friend of Luther’s, proclaimed that
the world would end on 19 October 1533. Clearly, this event is a
little overdue. A satirical song came about: “Stifel must die, he is
still so young” — to the boozy accompaniment of which developed
the custom of drinking beer from boots (‘Stiefel’ is German for
‘boot’).
Four
hand
The poisoner Susanne Zimmermann killed two husbands and
three children, along with a sister-in-law and nursemaid. Even
today, her mummified hand continues to scare young and old
alike at the Municipal Collections (Staedtische Sammlungen).
Berlin or Leipzig? Thanks
to the express ICE train
link, you can enjoy a relaxing breakfast in the capital,
have lunch in Lutherstadt
Wittenberg and dance the
night away in Leipzig.
in a row
Four UNESCO World
1938
Heritage Sites on
one street — only in
Lutherstadt Wittenberg.
The prefix Lutherstadt was
officially added to the name of
Wittenberg.
The Luther
Oak
Luther?
Luther’s expressions and quotes are deeply rooted in our language. Many of
them are quite natural to us today and we are unaware that they were originally spoken by Luther: ‘Bite the bullet’, ‘On one’s own initiative’, ‘Move
mountains’, ‘Pride comes before a fall’, ‘Ants in the pants’, ‘One in the eye’,
‘Fits like a glove’, etc. Scarcely anyone has ever succeeded so well at expressing the core of human characteristics and observations about coexistence as
precisely as Martin Luther.
–2–
The Luther Oak stands at the
southern end of Collegienstraße
at the spot where Martin Luther
burned the papal bull in 1520.
1502
Glutton
Education for all
A Wittenberg man, Jakob Kahle, known as ‘Fresskahle’,
ate everything he could lay his hands on: glass, nails,
firewood, etc. When he died in 1753, he was dissected
in the university’s anatomy theatre, and the resulting
dissertation was entitled “Über den Wittenberger
Viel- und Allesfresser” [On the Wittenberg glutton and
omnivore].
The first university established by a territorial
lord rather than by the church was established
in Wittenberg in 1502. The reputation of the
Leucorea surpassed that of all other universities in Germany at the time.
–3–
The town of the
6
12
A compact town
20
Museums and
exhibitions
Living, working and
relaxing surrounded by
history – this has shaped
the attitude towards life
here
8
16
Lutherstadt Wittenberg
is and always has been a
town of discourse
18
Green town
A spectacular year
10
Boredom not
permitted
Culture is a part of
everyday life here –
almost every day
A world of wonders
Active and relaxing recreation in the Biosphere
Reserve
In Lutherstadt
Wittenberg, the streets
are the place to celebrate
life
22
Renaissance living
Anyone seeking a
stylish, affordable and
convenient place to live
will find a new home in
Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Historical mile
Four World Heritage
Sites can be found in
close proximity here
28
Not only is Lutherstadt
Wittenberg surrounded
by beautiful countryside,
but the town itself is one
of the greenest places in
Germany
Lutherstadt Wittenberg
is the birthplace and
home of a new Protestant
faith – to this day
14
32
Town of
­conferences and
conventions
Five museums are home
to Wittenberg’s greatest
historical treasures
A new spirit found
its home
26
Reformation
24
A place of
education
Lutherstadt Wittenberg
is a town of science, the
origin of enlightened
thought
–4–
A region
like no other
Lutherstadt Wittenberg
is the perfect base from
which to explore AnhaltDessau-Wittenberg, a
region popular with
tourists
Green light for
industry
The history of the town
sometimes overshadows
the fact that important
industries have located
here – and with great
success
34
Right at the heart
of things
Firmly integrated
into the region’s
infrastructure
In 1996, UNESCO simultaneously granted four locations in Lutherstadt
Wittenberg the title ‘World Heritage Site’. Largely undamaged during World
War II, world history is able to live on in this Renaissance town at the homes
of Luther, Melanchthon and Cranach.
Anyone looking from the direction of the
famous Elbe meadows towards the silhouette
of the town today will see the unchanged
towers of the Castle Church (Schlosskirche)
and Town Church (Stadtkirche). Both have
shaped the townscape since Luther’s time
when Wittenberg gained its world-historical
importance, which continues to have an
impact today.
Conference and convention facilities have
been created in the historical walls. New
venues provide room for cultural events,
while new educational establishments
satisfy the growing need for continuing and
further education. Wittenberg retains the
character of a town of culture with historical roots reaching back to the time of the
Reformation in the 16th century. Since this
time, life here has been shaped by an atmosphere of tolerance and discourse. The town
is located at the heart of Germany, with
excellent transport links to major cities such
as Berlin, Leipzig and Halle. Surrounded
by a unique natural and cultural landscape,
Lutherstadt Wittenberg offers its residents a
distinctive place to live. Thanks to a stable
economy, a growing number of people are
finding training, job opportunities and
career prospects here. Once the ‘Rome of the
North’, today it is a cultural and historical
gem with great economic potential. Let this
brochure guide you through our town – and
who knows, perhaps you’ll also be seduced
by Lutherstadt Wittenberg!
–5–
The Beyerhof courtyard at Markt 6 has its own
brewery, encouraging visitors to linger for a while.
A compact
town
Living, working and relaxing
surrounded by history
Lutherstadt Wittenberg is a modern and pleasing place to live. Fortunately, it
suffered virtually no damage during World War II and was left untouched by
socialist urban redevelopment. Consequently, it has retained all of its original
charm. Today it is a place where it is still possible to live, work and relax in
harmony.
Open streams flow through the town centre, while shady old town courtyards offer
the perfect retreat for conversation or reading on hot days. It is not just tourists who
stroll through the streets; they are joined by
graduates and students from the Protestant
Seminary, Colleg Wittenberg, Leucorea,
the Wittenberg Centre for Global Ethics
and other educational institutions. In short:
Lutherstadt Wittenberg has remained a
well-educated town in the best sense of the
word.
Centrally located is the Arsenal, a shopping mall which
blends harmoniously into its old town surroundings.
Combined with the shops of the town centre, Lutherstadt
Wittenberg offers more than 325 shops as well as a diverse
selection of cafés and restaurants. Anyone wanting to take a
relaxed stroll will certainly get their money’s worth.
Big culture, big nature
Just a stone’s throw away are the Elbe
meadows where visitors can enjoy a wonderful natural landscape, the ‘UNESCO
World Natural Heritage Site Middle Elbe
Biosphere Reserve’, with ancient trees and
river arms to delight the eye. Back in the
town, there are many events for visitors
to enjoy: concerts, conventions, historical
festivals, as well as high-quality shopping
opportunities and restaurants to suit every
–6–
taste. There is hardly anywhere else in
Germany where culture and nature blend
together with such ease into a relaxing and
eventful location.
A zest for life
So it is no wonder that more and more
people are deciding to move here to the
Elbe region. Everyday life is affordable,
major cities such as Berlin and Leipzig can
be reached within half an hour thanks to
outstanding transport links, and the town
and its immediate surroundings are able to
offer increasingly attractive job opportunities. Lutherstadt Wittenberg is continuing
to grow as an industrial, administrative and
service centre for the entire region.
On weekends, residents make the most of
the many leisure opportunities: the Cranach
courtyards, the Stadthaus or Exerzierhalle
as cultural centres with historical backgrounds, the swimming pools, the zoo, the
butterfly park, kayaking trips on the Elbe,
sports facilities, andlots more besides.
–7–
A
spectacular
year
In Lutherstadt
Wittenberg, the streets
are the place to
­celebrate life
Left: Celebrating Luther’s Wedding with the Luther couple
Right: Pageant and jugglers on the streets of the old town
An overview of the year
You can find the precise dates at:
www.lutherstadt-wittenberg.de/veranstaltungen
Luther’s Wedding
It has been almost five hundred years
since former monk Martin Luther married Katharina von Bora, a nun who had
escaped from a convent. Every year in June,
the residents of Wittenberg and visitors
to the town celebrate this occasion with a
huge festival. They wear caps, gowns, cloaks
or doublets, practice old crafts, play replica
instruments from the Renaissance, roast
pork on a spit and enjoy beer and wine.
Throughout the historic old town, widely
travelled traders and landlords set up shop
with their wares at the original locations of
the Luther era as jugglers and musicians entertain the crowds. The Lutherstadt on the
Elbe expects to welcome 100,000 visitors
over the three days of the festival in June.
www.lutherhochzeit.de
Like pearls on a string, a never-ending series of events
takes place in Lutherstadt Wittenberg throughout the
year, including festivals, conventions and concerts. In the
summer, visitors and residents alike enjoy the cultural
highlights on the town streets.
May
Many citizens are very committed to ensuring that the town is able
to offer a completely new and unique cultural experience every
year – with complete success. The ‘Wittenberg Summer of Culture’
brings 180,000 visitors to the town every year. Together with the
locals, they attend events such as Adventure Night, a night when
special art and musical spectacles await at many locations throughout Wittenberg’s old town. The night draws to a close with a
spectacular firework display.
Throughout the summer, one cultural event follows another:
high-profile concerts at the churches, the Lily of the Valley Festival,
courtyard concerts, Luther’s Wedding, the Wine Festival, the
Pottery Market and the Cabaret Festival.
By the way, cabaret today has one of its strongholds in Lutherstadt
Wittenberg and justifiably so – for Martin Luther was a master at
presenting major problems in simplified form and posing questions
with a twinkle in his eye.
• Luther’s Wedding
The Reformation at the heart of the town
It could be said that the Reformation Festival on 31 October is
the spiritual and cultural highlight of the town’s year. Lutherstadt
Wittenberg celebrates this starting point for the Reformation in
Germany with festival church services, concerts and lectures. At
the historical market spectacle, jugglers, musicians and gypsies
cavort through the streets of the old town to the market square –
bright, loud, colourful and just as bold and eloquent as the
Reformers once were.
–8–
• Lily of the Valley Festival
• Wittenberg Cycling Days
• Elbe Cycling Day
June
www.lutherhochzeit.de
July/August
•
•
•
•
Courtyard concerts
Wine Festival
Cabaret Festival
Adventure Night
www.wittenbergererlebnisnacht.de
September
• Pottery Market
October/November
• Renaissance Music Festival
www.wittenbergerrenaissancemusik.de
• Reformation Festival
www.wittenbergerreformationsfest.de
December
• Christmas Market in
Wittenberg old town and in
the Advent courtyards
–9–
Street Art Festival
on Arsenalplatz
Boredom not
permitted
Culture is a part of everyday life in
Lutherstadt Wittenberg – almost every day
Lutherstadt Wittenberg does not
have culture, the town is culture.
Here historical anniversaries follow
in quick succession.
And it is not just annual events such as
Luther’s Wedding or the Reformation
Festival, that are celebrated. Major anniversaries recognised in 2015 include the
500th birthday of Lucas Cranach the
Younger, which will transform the town
into ‘Cranach City’ for twelve months.
One event of particular importance to
Lutherstadt Wittenberg is the 500th
anniversary of the Reformation, which
will be celebrated in 2017 – and the World
Exhibition of the Reformation will be held
from 20 May to 10 September 2017. This
shows what the Reformation means to people worldwide, with a view to the present
and future. For what began 500 years ago
in Wittenberg continues to shape our lives
today – our language, the arts and music,
our concept of freedom. At the conclusion
of the Church Congresses, a large festival
church service will be held on 28 May 2017
in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, attended by up
to 300,000 visitors.
– 10 –
The town is also home to many cultural
organisations which ensure that there is
always something of interest going on:
the Phönix-Theaterwelt, the cabaret and
revue stage at CLACK-Theater, the art
school in the Cranach courtyard, and the
‘TheaterJugendClub Chamäleon’, where
young talent takes to the boards, which
might perhaps might mean the world to
them one day. There are also sculpture and
graphics workshops, courtyard concerts and
the stages of the Summer Cabaret Festival.
As Martin Luther once said: “If you are not
allowed to laugh in heaven, then I do not
want to go there.”
Seeing pink elephants!
In Wittenberg, there is virtually no graffiti
disfiguring walls because the graffiti artists
or ‘taggers’ have been consistently integrated into town activities by the ‘wb-motion’ association. Big names on the scene
are invited to take part in the Street Art
Festival, where they leave their ‘tags’ on
large moveable walls on Arsenalplatz. One
example is the pink elephant which today
very attractively masks the view of a grey
concrete wall on Wichernstraße.
– 11 –
The Reformation did not simply create a new religious self-consciousness.
Entire professions, German literature, music and science – they have all
been influenced by this spiritual revolution which began here on the Elbe.
From 95 theses, from one sheet of paper, arose a new reality which ultimately led to the Enlightenment.
A new spirit
found its home
Suddenly, all roads no longer led to Rome.
When Martin Luther posted his 95 theses
on the door of Wittenberg’s Castle Church
in 1517, his act transformed the mediaeval
world. Faith had now become bipolar: one
centre of power remained unchanged on
the Tiber, with the other pole now located
on the Elbe. Wittenberg, previously a rather
insignificant royal seat, became the origin
of a European revolution against religious
patronage and spiritual corruption.
Indeed, Luther’s act reached far beyond this
religious dimension: As a reformer, he was
also present at the outset of German literature. He helped develop the German language, and he possessed a special talent for
expressing religious insights using memorable imagery or ‘metaphors’. In doing this,
he always listened “to what people really
think”, which explains the rather graphic
nature of some of his statements: “When I
fart, they shall smell it in Rome.”
With his polemic talent, he ignited the first
media revolution in our history. His writings were printed in large quantities and
spread like wildfire. With the exception of
the two years he spent at Wartburg castle,
Martin Luther was never again to leave the
town of Wittenberg for a long period.
The Reformation as an engine of
economic growth
Subsequently, Wittenberg became the centre of this first media revolution: Printing
workshops were set up, bookbinders,
typesetters, proofreaders and lead workers
were able to make a living in completely
new professions. Lucas Cranach the Elder,
not only a great painter and engraver, but
also a far-sighted businessman, was, as a
printer and publisher, able to rise to the
position of mayor and ‘first man’ of the
town.
Luther’s ally – Philipp Melanchthon
Martin Luther, the eloquent champion, was
not the only one whose voice drew students
and scholars to Wittenberg by the thousands. Standing by his side was his equal,
Philipp Melanchthon, in a way the creator
of a new Protestant denomination. Through
his writings, the ‘Teacher of Germany’
created the necessary unity within the
Protestant camp, which was still in
its infancy at that time. Many
other scholars, such as Johannes
Bugenhagen, were among the
protagonists of the new faith
in Wittenberg.
Lutherstadt Wittenberg is the
birthplace and home of a new
Protestant faith – to this day
Left: Luther Monument on Marktplatz
Right: The Thesis Door at the Castle Church
– 12 –
– 13 –
Dr. Johannes Block, pastor of the Town Church
Johannes Block (49) was born
in 1965 in Hamelin on the
river Weser. Since 2011, he has
followed in the footsteps of
Martin Luther as the pastor of the
Town Church of Wittenberg. He
lives in the old town. He wrote
his doctoral thesis on Martin
Luther’s understanding of music
in Heidelberg. This was followed
by a book of poems about Martin
Luther: Die wittenbergische
Nachtigall. Luther im Gedicht
[The Wittenberg Nightingale.
Luther in Poetry]. Johannes Block
plays the piano, enjoys jogging
along the banks of the Elbe, and
is an honorary professor of practical theology at the University of
Leipzig.
Town Church
Both Martin Luther and Johannes
Bugenhagen preached at the Town
Church (Stadtkirche). It was here that
Mass was celebrated for the first time
in the German language.
Stadthaus and
Exerzierhalle
cultural centres
Tourist Information
www.lutherstadtwittenberg.de
www.wittenberg.de
Castle Church
It is on the door of the Castle Church
(Schlosskirche) that Martin Luther
is said to have posted his 95 theses
against the abuse of indulgences.
Arsenal
Shopping
Center
Museum of
the Municipal
Collections in the
Armoury
C o sw
Katja Köhler, town guide
Melanchthon House
The Melanchthon House is a place
where Protestantism was able to
develop into a science, into a new
theology.
iger S
tr a ß e
House of
History
Cranach courtyard
in Schlossstraße
Bugenhagen
House
Cranach courtyard
on Markt
Collegie
Luther House
The family lived in Luther House, the
former Black Monastery, in a ‘community’ with many fellow believers,
to whom Luther directed his famous
‘Table Talk’. The building now
houses the world’s largest museum of
Reformation history.
After completing her studies
in tourism, Katja Köhler (37)
returned to her home town where
she now lives with her husband
and three children. She knows
every corner of Wittenberg as she
works as a town guide, among
other things. She made a great
impression on locals and visitors
alike in her role as Katharina von
Bora at Luther’s Wedding. She
is interested in history, geography and sports, founded the
Kemberger Lebenszeiten e. V. association and is the author of the
children’s town guide Unterwegs
mit Hänschen Luther durch
Wittenberg [Out and about in
Wittenberg with young Luther].
nstraße
Leucorea
University
The historical
mile
Four World Heritage Sites
can be found in close proximity here
Shoulder to shoulder – this
expression is an accurate
description of the cultural
landscape of Lutherstadt
Wittenberg. A short stroll around town becomes
a cultural experience of the highest order, as
one sight leads on to the next.
– 14 –
First, there are the four UNESCO sites
– the Luther House, the Town Church,
the Melanchthon House and the Castle
Church – followed by the castle, the
Cranach courtyards, the Leucorea
University, the Town Hall with its
Renaissance façade, numerous town houses, the Luther Oak and all the other artis-
tic and historical monuments. All this and
much more can be found along the town’s
central axis, now known as the ‘Historical
Mile’. All along this route, dreamy nooks
invite you to linger, cosy restaurants and
cafés offer something to suit every taste
and small, well-stocked shops entice people
in to browse.
A transformation
Derelict land since the end of the Seven
Years’ War in 1760, the site of the former
Franciscan monastery at the northern
entrance to Wittenberg has now been
transformed into an eye-catching venue
worth seeing. Located on Arsenalplatz, the
central Town Information Office provides
– 15 –
visitors with all the information they need.
At the same time, the existing east-west axis
of the town has been visually enhanced by
the transformation, creating a visual triangle
with a completely new panorama of the
historical old town.
„
Five museums house Wittenberg’s
greatest historical treasures
Tourists simply cannot check the town off their list in a
single day because the choice of museums is so rich. So
visitors should take their time and enjoy the hospitality
of Lutherstadt Wittenberg over several days.
It is always better to
see with one’s own
eyes than those of
other people.
Martin Luther
Cranach courtyards
Two of the most important Renaissance painters
had their studios in Wittenberg: Lucas Cranach the
Elder and his son Lucas Cranach the Younger. Elector
Frederick the Wise had appointed the father to his
court in Wittenberg in 1505. The artist then lived in
this town for almost half a century. Here, as ‘Painter
Luther House
When Martin Luther arrived in Wittenberg for the first time in
September 1508, he took up residence in the Augustinian monastery. When the Reformation began, sixty of the monks, who
were loyal to Rome, left the monastery in protest in 1521. Luther
remained behind with one other brother. His marriage on 13 June
1525 then transformed this silent, deserted place into a hospice of
the Reformation’. Today it houses the world’s largest museum of
Reformation history. Visitors are able to learn about the life of the
reformer Luther as well as the diversity of everyday life at that time.
Melanchthon House
The importance of the professor Philipp Melanchthon is evidenced
by the fact that the Elector gave him his own house in the town.
Virtually unchanged today, the almost 500-year old Renaissance
gable towers above all of its neighbours in Collegienstraße. The
reputation of the ‘Teacher of Germany’ annually drew thousands
of scholars to the Elbe, with the Leucorea being the best attended
university in Europe at this time. The Melanchthon House now
houses a permanent exhibition paying tribute to this great humanist and reformer.
Cranach House
The historical Cranach House at Markt 4 now houses the permanent exhibition ‘Cranachs Welt’ (Cranach’s World). Many artists
also have their studios here, in which visitors are welcome to watch
them work. The foundation which operates the Cranach House
also runs an art school (Jugendkunstschule) at Schlossstraße 1 ,
where adults may also take courses during the Summer Academy.
Museum of the Municipal Collections in the Armoury
The redesigned town museum has found a new home at the
Prussian armoury on Arsenalplatz. The ‘crown jewels’ of the town
can be seen on the ground floor. These include unusual items originating from different departments of the Municipal Collections.
The next two floors house exhibits from more than 700 years of
this town’s history and from Julius Riemer’s famous natural history
and ethnological collection.
House of History
Visitors who do not wish to travel quite so far back in time can
relive everyday life from the 1920s to the 1990s in original living
rooms, classrooms and the in-house dance bar at the House of
History. The museum also has the following permanent exhibitions: ‘Everyday design & forms in the GDR from the 1970s’,
‘Signposts – Sign of the times. Everyday life for Germans and
Russians in a central German region 1945–1993’ as well as ‘Luther
in the GDR’. You can also immerse yourself in the history of
Lutherstadt Wittenberg here.
of the Reformation’, he created the paintings which
established his fame. It is only because his portraiture
was so true to life that we are able to create images of
many famous personalities today.
However, he did not just have a successful artist’s studio,
he also established a printing shop which produced works
such as Martin Luther’s first translation of the bible.
– 16 –
Left: Cranach statue in the Cranach courtyard, Schlossstraße 1
Bottom: Lecture hall in Luther House, busts of Luther and
Melanchthon as well as the study in Melanchthon House
– 17 –
Christian Gatniejewski,
paramedic
of
wonders
A world
In Lutherstadt Wittenberg there is no need to get in the car to experience nature. Directly outside the town are the impressive Elbe
meadows. The Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve is one of the oldest
UNESCO reserves in Germany.
– 18 –
By taking just a few steps, residents and
visitors to Lutherstadt Wittenberg are
able to leave the Renaissance town behind
and surround themselves with the beauty
of the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve.
The extensive Elbe meadows have been a
UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site
since 1979. In this wide floodplain, the
Elbe is still able to do as she pleases. A
landscape full of solitary gnarled oaks with
extensive alluvial forest has remained in
its natural state. Animals and plants that
have become extinct elsewhere have found
sanctuary here. The area stretches far into
the Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz,
where the last remaining river beavers have
created a habitat in the water for their
architecture.
Visitors can learn more about this unique
125,000 hectare reserve at the Auenhaus
information centre.
An important hub for cyclists
A place with so much nature close at hand
will, of course, also offer virtually unlimited sporting and leisure opportunities.
Lutherstadt Wittenberg has become an important hub for cyclists. Several cycle routes
intersect in the old town itself, including
the European Cycle Route R1, a mammoth
undertaking which runs from Boulognesur-Mer in France to St Petersburg. The
Berlin-Leipzig cycle route, which takes
in the Fläming Nature Park and Düben
Heath, also enables cyclists to enjoy the
hospitality of the Wittenberg people when
passing through the region. Not least, the
Elbe cycle route, which follows the meandering river from Hamburg, also passes
through the old town. Many times it has
been described as one of the most beautiful
long-distance cycle routes in Europe.
Other sports have not been forgotten.
The ‘black ice’ of the 225-kilometre long
Fläming-Skate circuit delights all rollerbladers. With so much enticing water
around, sailors, canoeists and kayakers are
never far away. And if you prefer a less energetic outing, then simply hop aboard one of
the pleasure boats.
Fläming Nature Park
Lutherstadt Wittenberg is one of the sponsors of Fläming Nature Park. This isolated
and wild landscape north of the town was
once colonised by immigrant Flemings. With
its winding villages, dreamy brick churches,
silent monasteries and its ‘Rummeln’, the dry
ravine valleys which are a special geological
feature of the area, a visit here is often compared to a trip back in time to the Middle
Ages. It is no wonder that the park authorities are happy to provide ‘scary tours’ complete with legends, bandits and guns, thereby
successfully transporting visitors back in
time to this lost empire of fable and myth.
– 19 –
Christian Gatniejewski (45)
works as a paramedic instructor
with St John’s Ambulance. As
an emergency responder, he has
also provided medical aid abroad,
including after the earthquake in
Pakistan and the typhoon in the
Philippines. His wife is a doctor
at Paul Gerhardt Stift Hospital in
Lutherstadt Wittenberg. Christian
Gatniejewski is a nature lover
and avid cyclist, who seeks relief
for his stressful job on the Elbe
cycle route and in the biosphere
reserve. He is on duty at Luther’s
Wedding in his role as head of
the St John’s youth organisation,
providing first aid services.
„
Not only is Lutherstadt Wittenberg
­surrounded by beautiful countryside,
but the town itself is one of the
greenest places in Germany
Two animal parks
The town’s zoo is located in the casemates,
a preserved section of the former ramparts.
Monkeys, meerkats, parrots and birds
of prey can all be seen in the open-air
enclosures, and young and old alike can
enjoy the petting zoo. The animal world is
also the focus of the Alaris Butterfly Park.
Beneath palms, banana trees, orchids and
coffee bushes, more than 140 species of
butterfly live in a tropical paradise. Some of
them have a wingspan of almost 30cm.
Apollensberg
Located on the edge of the town, 127 metres above sea level, is the Apollensberg. Its
unique limestone sediment enables animals
and plants to live here that no longer exist
anywhere else. Visitors are able to climb
the hill by following a nature trail, which
points out the special features of this Ice
Age moraine. When they reach the summit, they can enjoy a spectacular view of
Luther’s town, the Fläming region and the
Elbe meadows.
Experiencing nature in the Stadtwald
The town forest or Stadtwald stretches over
90 hectares to the north-west of Lutherstadt
Wittenberg. At one time, it was the source of
wood for local people; now it is an environmental refuge responsibly maintained by
NABU Wittenberg [Nature and Biodiversity
Conservation Union]. Here visitors will find
a nature and environmental education centre
with animal enclosures, discovery trails and
biotopes. The NABU Centre ‘Im Stadtwald’
has long been a meeting place and recreation
area for locals and visitors. People come here
to ‘chill’ in the sensory garden, to relax in
the meadow orchard, to romp in the adventure playground, or to learn about native
– 20 –
trees and the secrets of the forest in detail at
the arboretum.
The Luther Garden
Located on the edge of the historical
town centre is the Luther Garden, a large
park maintained by the Lutheran World
Federation. To mark the 500th anniversary
of the Reformation in 2017, 500 saplings
will be planted here and around the town.
At the heart of the garden is the Luther
Rose, a planted area in the shape of Luther’s
seal, today a symbol of the EvangelicalLutheran Church. From it, seven paths symbolically point to the seven Protestant world
areas which characterised the world view at
that time. Churches and communities may
sponsor trees: The donor plants a tree in the
Luther Garden, and at the same time, a tree
in their hometown will be labelled so that it
is associated with Lutherstadt Wittenberg.
Even if I
knew that
tomorrow the
world would
go to pieces,
I would still
plant my
apple tree.
Martin Luther
– 21 –
Renaissance
living
Jan P. Pajak,
media engineer
Jan Pajak (33) was born in
Leipzig in 1981. He later moved
to the old book printing town of
Wittenberg. Married in 2012, he
is now the father of a daughter. The trained offset printer
and media engineer works for
Mundschenk Druck+Medien as a
production manager. His hobbies
include photography and music.
He has also made a name for
himself as a founding member of
the band Suppengrün.
Anyone seeking a stylish,
­affordable and convenient place
to live will find a new home in
Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Astonishingly, the irresistible charm of living in a
town on the river seems unchanged: from living in the
Renaissance to renaissance living – with all the comforts
of our time. The restored townhouses of the old town
bear witness to this.
Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, Lutherstadt Wittenberg has
become a mecca for architects. It has been a professional challenge
for them to create modern residences in the midst of the historical
buildings, while giving due consideration to their preservation. In
past times, after all, people lived in much more confined spaces;
there was often no indoor plumbing, and taller people today constantly bumped their heads on the low door jambs. Consequently,
there was a need to successfully adapt the human dimensions of the
Renaissance time to our present-day living requirements.
– 22 –
– 23 –
A place of
education
Left: Leucorea University
Right: Hundertwasserschule
Lutherstadt Wittenberg is a town of learning,
the origin of enlightened thought
Melina Ademaj,
schoolgirl
Melina Ademaj (15) is a pupil
at the Luther-Melanchthon
Gymnasium in Lutherstadt
Wittenberg, otherwise known
as the Hundertwasserschule. At
Luther’s Wedding, she briefly says
goodbye to a worldly life and slips
into a nun’s habit. Melina Ademaj
is a member of the Schwager
dance studio and takes singing
lessons at the Kreismusikschule
Wittenberg, where she also sings
in the choir.
“So it is here that wisdom builds her home,
here that she carves out her seven pillars.
From here, the call went out to guests that they
should come. And they came from all countries, states and nations.” So said Giordano
Bruno at the end of the 16th century, enthusiastically describing the town of Wittenberg and
its educational establishments.
The Leucorea, Wittenberg’s university, was the focus
of much of this praise. Founded in 1502 by Elector
Frederick the Wise, one hundred years later it had become the most important educational establishment in
Europe for theologians, lawyers, budding doctors and
civil servants. Students, professors and scientists flocked
here to the banks of the Elbe in their thousands. In
1817, the Leucorea was merged with the University of
Halle by order of the Prussian state.
In 1994, the old tradition was revived. The Stiftung
Leucorea foundation was established in Lutherstadt
Wittenberg, with the objective of forming close
links with the heyday of this Wittenberg educational establishment. Today, under the umbrella of the
Leucorea, renowned scientific research institutions
enrich the academic world. International conferences
and seminars expand the limits of knowledge and
attract researchers from all over the world to the town.
The Protestant Seminary has found a new home in
the former electors’ palace. In the heart of the town,
the Protestant church prepares its new trainees for the
ministry. The Luther House World Heritage Site was
transformed into a place of scientific research. In the
Augusteum, a historical university building, accompanying exhibitions and documentation find their
appropriate location. Colleg Wittenberg also offers a
growing number of foreign students places for their
semester abroad.
Industry, education, people
Lutherstadt Wittenberg’s education policy has one very
firm goal: With the growing influx of students and
scientists, the town remains young. Like an anchor,
research will stop the migration of qualified people.
The young generation will find job opportunities here,
economic power will increase. Educational establishments with a global reputation will thereby create a
threefold win-win-win situation: for industry, the town
and its people.
– 24 –
– 25 –
Town of conferences
and conventions
Lutherstadt Wittenberg is and always has been
a town of discourse
Lutherstadt Wittenberg is today home to two
cultural and conference centres: The new
Stadthaus and the Exerzierhalle. Both are
centrally located, between the old town with
its World Heritage Sites and the parks, and are
surrounded by many first-class hotels.
Top: Opening ceremony for the Exerzierhalle
completed in 2014
Bottom: Historical brick façade of the
Exerzierhalle
Right: Foyer and hall of the Stadthaus
Anyone planning a major event in exceptional surroundings should certainly consider the Wittenberg
Stadthaus, which also houses the central Town
Information Office. Opened in 2014, this ultra-modern convention centre is able to accommodate 600
people. And not just for conferences or panel discussions ‒ concerts and exhibitions have also been staged
here with a spectacular atmosphere on the site of the
former Franciscan monastery. Just 150 metres from
the Stadthaus is the Exerzierhalle. Events take place
here which correspond with and complement the
programme at the Stadthaus on Arsenalplatz. Previous
events include concerts, plays, markets, family and
club celebrations, and a summer cinema. As a multifunctional hall measuring 730 square metres, the
Exerzierhalle fills a gap in the range of event venues
available in Lutherstadt Wittenberg.
www.wittenberger-stadthaus.de
– 26 –
– 27 –
Green light for
industry
The history of the town sometimes overshadows the fact
that important industries have located here –
and with great success.
Right since the beginning of the 20th
century, Wittenberg has been an important location for nitrogen chemicals in Germany. Today, the AgroChemical Park is situated just outside
the town, with SKW Stickstoffwerke
Piesteritz, Germany’s largest manu­
fac­tur­er of ammonia and urea and
producer of speciality industrial and
agrochemicals, located at its centre.
Gleaming pipelines and wide green
spaces both have an equal influence
on the image of the industrial culture
here.
The level of research undertaken by SKW
Stickstoffwerke Piesteritz GmbH is unique
for a medium-sized company. Its scientific
facilities undertake important fundamental
research in the fields of fertilisers and plant
cultivation. Located in close proximity to
the research and production facilities is
a health centre with doctor’s surgeries, a
physiotherapy practice and a fitness studio,
a campus park, a company kindergarten
and also a science center. The Training and
Continuing Education Centre, with lecture
theatres, laboratories and a library, promotes
sound opportunities for advancement for the
approximately 850 employees. Other companies cooperate willingly and often with this
industrial core of the region. They establish
their production facilities in the surrounding
area and benefit from the excellent transport
links and funding opportunities offered by
the town and the federal state of SaxonyAnhalt. The state government supports
and promotes the Agro-Chemical Park as a
priority area and as a regional freight village.
45,000 HGVs call here, on the southern
edge of the Fläming region, every year,
Agro-Chemical Park Piesteritz with a view
towards Lutherstadt Wittenberg – more than
30 companies have already moved to the 220
hectare site.
– 28 –
– 29 –
with the number continuing to rise swiftly.
Whether it is bulk goods, finished goods,
foods or liquefied gas, Piesteritz offers the
ideal handling and dispatch conditions for
all products – not to mention production-related research, which is located right on the
doorstep. All this is probably why there are
only 30 hectares currently available in this
fully developed industrial park.
Perfect infrastructure
The Agro-Chemical Park is divided into
north and south sites by the Magdeburg–
Dresden railway line. On the Elbe side, the
site stretches as far as the river with its port
facilities. Running between them and the
production plants is the B 187 federal highway, which conveys traffic to the motorway
network in just a few minutes. Whether by
rail, road or water, Lutherstadt Wittenberg
always offers the best logistics infrastructure
for industry.
Andreas Thiele,
industrial painter
Creating jobs with tomatoes
A few years ago, three Dutch people came up with a plan
to create one of the largest tomato farms in Europe in
Agro-Chemical Park Piesteritz. The necessary synergies
existed thanks to the SKW nitrogen plants next door
and transport links to urban customer regions. Following
investment of around € 20 million on 15 hectares of
covered land, 150 people now work for the company.
Such commitment means that the three founders can be
forgiven for calling their product the ‘Luther tomato’,
even though Luther would definitely never have
known about this fruit.
A diversified business location
The industrial tradition of Lutherstadt
Wittenberg is also continuing to have an
effect in other sectors – for example, in the
construction of commercial and specialist
vehicles, the manufacture of rubber compounds, high-quality corrosion and wear
protection systems, in the ceramics and
packaging industry, in construction chemicals production, as well as in the production
of adhesive labels, the construction of filling machines, in air conditioning technology, in the speciality gas industry and in the
food and beverages industry: Rama, Lätta
and Sanella have effectively become specialities of the Wittenberg region. According to
economists, the industrial environment is
now “highly diversified”, and therefore set
for the future.
Supporting growth
Wittenberg’s economy is growing because
companies and investors are able to find
optimum conditions locally. The town’s
office for economic development and
Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft Anhalt-
Bitterfeld Dessau Wittenberg mbH also
provide help. They explain to investors the
many advantages offered by the location, advise existing businesses, support the recruitment of new employees in order to solve the
nationwide problem of a shortage of skilled
workers, and coordinate approval procedures.
Flying high
Krafotec, once a state-owned company
for crane and conveyor technology in
Lutherstadt Wittenberg, has become a
sought-after developer of specialist cranes
and transporters, for conveyor systems and
the non-destructive testing of materials.
Whether pillar-mounted slewing cranes,
turning crossheads or safety fencing – the
company is growing in all areas where it is
necessary to move large loads safely. Every
year, the company delivers cranes for diverse applications to customers in Germany
and abroad.
Cult biscuits
From chocolate in the early years to the wide
variety of biscuits available today – it has
– 30 –
Andreas Thiele (50) is a painter
by trade. He currently works for
Krafotec as a preserver. Away
from his job, he is one of the
greatest experts in the everyday
culture of our Elbe renaissance.
Thanks to his membership in
the Trachtenverein Wittenberg
[traditional folk costume association], he ascended to the nobility
for Luther’s Wedding, where he
plays the Elector. In his free time,
Andreas Thiele enjoys cycling and
hiking.
been all about sweet things at Wikana since
1906. Lutherbrodt, Hansa Keks, Butterkeks
with the Luther rose and the classic Othello
biscuit – the tasty delights from Lutherstadt
Wittenberg have been a treat for many customers since their childhood. The traditional
company places particular importance on
regional and sustainable production, moving
with the times and constantly bringing innovative products onto the market. Wikana
has established itself as a powerful biscuit
brand in the German retail market, and also
exports to 16 countries.
Secure transport
With a production plant of 110,000 square
metres, Feldbinder Spezialfahrzeugwerke
GmbH manufactures liquid tank trailers
for all applications in the chemical, food
and oil industries. The company also produces silo trailers, rail wagons and containers in aluminium and stainless steel here in
Lutherstadt Wittenberg for delivery around
the world. Feldbinder is one of the largest
employers and apprenticeship companies in
the region.
Top: Krafotec full gantry crane
Bottom: Tank trailer from Feldbinder on
Wittenberg’s Elbe Bridge
– 31 –
A region like
no other
Lutherstadt Wittenberg is the perfect base from which to explore
Anhalt-Dessau-Wittenberg, a region popular with tourists
Masters’ Houses and Bauhaus Dessau – a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The area immediately surrounding the town offers
both locals and visitors alike memorable experiences.
Nowhere else do they have the opportunity to explore
nature and culture in such close proximity.
For more than 100 kilometres, the tourism region of AnhaltDessau-Wittenberg is shaped by the majestic course of the Elbe,
along with its tributaries the Saale, Mulde and Elster. For the most
part, they all follow their natural course, thereby making it possible
to preserve the largest contiguous area of alluvial forest in central
Europe. In the south, visitors are attracted to the forests of Düben
Heath and in the north to the gentle hills of the Fläming region.
As you enjoy the pristine countryside here, you will also feel history
come to life.
The garden kingdom
Achieving a harmonious interplay of nature, architecture and
art was the aim of the landscape
design movement at the time
of the early Enlightenment.
Under the direction of Friedrich
Wilhelm von Erdmannsdorff,
the Dessau-Wörlitzer Garden
Kingdom was created – six
palaces and seven parks in a
landscape laid out according to
the English style. Leopold III
Friedrich Franz von AnhaltDessau was the patron whose
vision it was to combine beauty
with usefulness in this way.
Düben Heath
Anyone wanting to see cranes, white-tailed sea eagles, beavers and
other rare species in an unspoilt landscape of lakes, forests and
rivers should definitely visit Düben Heath Nature Park. Located
to the south of Lutherstadt Wittenberg, this natural paradise of 75
hectares is protected. Park rangers guide visitors on walks through
the spectacular scenery, where they will also come across the
so-called ‘heath magnets’ – mazes, high-rope courses, a zoo and
Schloss Reinharz, a moated castle.
– 32 –
Fläming
Castles, palaces, churches, monasteries, historical town districts
and old mills dominate the cultural landscape of the Fläming
countryside. Many of them were built during the spread of
Christianity by settlers from Holland and Flanders, to whom the
region also owes its name. Experienced stonemasons worked granite stones from the surrounding fields into simple stone churches
in the Romanesque style. It is still possible to explore these easily
today without needing a car, for international cycle routes and
the ‘Fläming-Skate’ network of skating paths, as well as rivers and
canals, open the national park up to everyone.
The Bauhaus in Dessau
‘Fight against ornamentation’ and ‘Functionality’ were key watchwords when Walter Gropius founded a new style of architecture in
Weimar in 1919. In 1925, the Bauhaus moved to Dessau, attracting
artists such as Kandinsky, Klee, Schwitters, Schlemmer, MoholyNagy and Feininger as if by magic. Naturally, all that was a thorn in
the side of the National Socialists, and the Bauhaus was closed down
in 1932. Yet, to this date, it remains one of the most influential educational establishments in the fields of architecture, art and design,
as well as the home of the avant-garde of classical modernism. The
masters’ houses designed by Walter Gropius, including the Bauhaus
building itself, are now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site
and inspire visitors from around the world. Since 1994, the Bauhaus
Dessau Foundation has been housed in this historic building.
– 33 –
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innovation consultant
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Lutherstadt Wittenberg lies in the heart of Germany – and Europe, with
excellent transport links to the major cities of the region. These include the
Elbe port, fast ICE rail links, the Berlin and Leipzig-Halle airports, and the A9
motorway – all helping to make Lutherstadt Wittenberg a place that is indeed
close to nature but in no way remote. More and more, the town is becoming
an important centre in the midst of many others – whether it be the famous
tourism region of Anhalt-Dessau-Wittenberg or the industrial conurbation of
the Central German Chemical Triangle. Lutherstadt Wittenberg offers the
advantages of a perfectly integrated region.
Deciding on Lutherstadt Wittenberg – whether as a place of business, residence or holiday destination – remains primarily a matter of logic and not of
logistics. The unique natural landscape and the magnificent UNESCO World
Heritage make this decision irresistible.
Other factors also come into play: production-related research, the network of
companies in the direct vicinity and well-trained skilled employees. In short,
Lutherstadt Wittenberg has everything you could want from a town, and much
more besides.
Leipzig
– 34 –
– 35 –
Daniel Probst (38) from Leipzig
helps companies to gain a fresh
outlook on their business area
and introduces them to surprising
ideas. He is also a lecturer at
the University of Leipzig. He is
delighted with the fast, easy ICE
train connection between Leipzig
and Lutherstadt Wittenberg.
Within 30 minutes he can “escape
the daily grind” and recharge his
creative juices with new impressions. His three children particularly appreciate the town’s cultural
programme: Luther’s Wedding
and the hustle and bustle of the
Reformation Festival.
www.wittenberg.de