Editing Wittenberg (section)

== Sights and culture ==

Lutherstadt Wittenberg has a wide range of cultural sites. Most are located within the historic old town along the ''Wittenberg Culture Mile''.

[[File:Wittenberg Lutherhaus courtyard.jpg|thumb|Lutherhaus, Wittenberg]]
[[File:Lutherstadt Wittenberg 09-2016 photo01.jpg|thumb|Cranachhof, one of many courtyards in Wittenberg]]
Wittenberg is home to numerous historical sites, as well as portraits and other paintings by [[Lucas Cranach the Elder]] and [[Lucas Cranach the Younger|Younger]]. On the doors of [[All Saints' Church, Wittenberg|All Saints' Church, the ''Schlosskirche'']] ("castle church", built in 1496–1506) Luther is said to have nailed his [[95 theses]] in 1517. It was seriously damaged by fire in 1760 during a bombardment by the French during the [[Seven Years' War]], was practically rebuilt, and was later (1885–1892) restored. The wooden doors, burnt in 1760, were replaced in 1858 by bronze doors, bearing the [[Latin]] text of the theses. Inside the church are the tombs of Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon, [[Johannes Bugenhagen]], [[Paul Eber]] and of the electors [[Frederick the Wise]] (by [[Peter Vischer the Younger]], 1527) and [[John the Constant]] (by [[Hans Vischer]]), and portraits of the reformers by Lucas Cranach the Younger, who is also buried in the church.

St. Mary's Church, the parish church in which Luther often preached, was built in the 14th century, but has been much altered since Luther's time. It contains a painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder, representing the [[Last Supper]] (with the faces of Luther and other reformers), Baptism and Confession, also a font by [[Hermann Vischer the Elder]] (1457). In addition, there are numerous historic paintings in the church.

The ancient electoral palace is another of the buildings that suffered severely in 1760; it now contains archives.

Martin Luther's home, the [[Augusteum and Lutherhaus|Lutherhaus]], where he studied and lived both before and after the Reformation, is now a museum containing many artifacts from his life. Melanchthon's house and the house of Lucas Cranach the Elder, mayor of Wittenberg, can also be found here. Statues of Luther (by Schadow), Melanchthon and Bugenhagen embellish the town. The spot outside the Elster Gate where Luther publicly burned the [[papal bull]] in 1520 is marked by an oak tree.

The original [[Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg|Wittenberg University]] quadrangle also lies in the city centre.

=== Buildings ===

==== Churches ====
===== Schlosskirche =====
[[File:Schloss und Schlosskirche Wittenberg Luftbild 2024 Toni Klemm.jpg|thumb|Schlosskirche at night]]
One of the town's main attractions is the Schlosskirche (Castle Church), most notably associated with the publication of Martin Luther's [[95 Theses]], a bold attack on the Roman Catholic Church's practice of indulgences. The castle church was remodelled between 1883 and 1892. According to the intentions of the builders, the world-historical significance of the castle church was to be expressed. In the spirit of the [[historicism]] period, the statement was related to the precursors and bearers of the Reformation, thus creating a Reformation memorial. On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the posting of the theses in 2017, the church was extensively renovated.

===== Stadtkirche Wittenberg =====
[[File:Stadtkirche von Nordosten, Lutherstadt Wittenberg 20180812 001.jpg|thumb|Stadtkirche from northeast]]
St. Mary's Town Church and Parish Church is the mother church of the Reformation. The first Protestant service was held in it in 1521 by [[Justus Jonas the Elder]] and [[Andreas Bodenstein]] of Karlstadt. As Martin Luther's preaching church, it was the [[Reformation]] official church of the general superintendents of the Saxon [[Kurkreis]]. After the [[Congress of Vienna]] it became the official residence of the Wittenberg superintendents. The artistic decoration is well preserved and includes works by [[Lucas Cranach the Elder]] and [[Lucas Cranach the Younger]]. Epitaphs on the interior and exterior walls refer to the work of many important personalities. The cemetery chapel of the Holy Corpse stands to the south of the town church and once belonged to the walled cemetery area of the church.

===== Unbefleckte Empfängnis Catholic Church =====
The church on Mauerstraße was [[Consecration|consecrated]] in 1872 by Bishop [[Konrad Martin]]. It was renovated in 1999/2000.

===== Christ Church =====
Christ Church was built as another church in 1907/1908 in the suburb of Kleinwittenberg in historicist forms.

==== Other buildings ====
[[File:Wittenberg Lutherhaus.JPG|thumb|Lutherhaus]]

===== Augusteum and Luther House =====
The representative showcase building Augusteum was once an extension of the University of Wittenberg "Leucorea". In the inner courtyard of the Augusteum is the former home of Martin Luther. Today, the building houses the Reformation History Museum with its collections of pictures, writings and contemporary exhibits from the [[Reformation]] era

===== Melanchthon House =====
The architectural style of the Melanchthon House in Collegienstraße, which expresses the self-confident modernity of the [[Renaissance]], is an architectural sight. In this house the [[Protestant Reformers|reformer]] Philipp Melanchthon lived and died. It houses an exhibition. In 2013, the house received an extension according to plans by the architects Dietsch & Weber from [[Halle (Saale)|Halle]] made of grey brick.<ref>Susanne Kippenberger: ''Alte Meister, neue Geister''. in: ''[[Der Tagesspiegel]]'', Sunday supplement, 23 January 2022, p. S8.</ref>

===== University ''Leucorea'' Wittenberg =====
Founded in 1502, the [[Reformation]] Martin Luther and Melanchthon spent time at the University of Leucorea in Collegienstraße. 

===== Hamlethaus =====
[[File:Lutherstadt Wittenberg 09-2016 photo04.jpg|thumb|Hamlethaus]]
The Hamlethaus in Collegienstraße blends into the ensemble of the town.{{clarify|date=April 2022}}

===== Bugenhagenhaus =====
The Bugenhagen House next to the town church is the oldest Protestant vicarage in the world and is one of the most significant memorials to the Reformation. Until 1997, it was the residence and place of work of the Wittenberg superintendents without interruption since the Reformation. [[Johannes Bugenhagen]] was the first pastor to live here until his death in 1558. Between 2004 and 2007, the building was thoroughly renovated and now serves as a spiritual community and meeting centre.

===== Stadthaus =====
[[File:Wittenberg - Stadthaus.jpg|thumb|Stadthaus]]
The Stadthaus is a modern building complex on Arsenalplatz that includes several historic buildings. Their origins date back to the 13th century. The town house contains significant remains of the medieval building fabric of the former [[monastery church]] of the [[Franciscan Order|Franciscans]], which in turn was used as the burial place of the [[Ascanians]]. As early as 1536, the building was converted into a granary by [[Conrad Theiß]] and heavily remodelled by adding several levels. The medieval windows were closed and pouring openings were installed. During the [[Seven Years' War]], the building was severely damaged and rebuilt with a lower building height. Several building activities in the following period have greatly changed the appearance of the building. At the end of the 19th century, for example, one storey was added and large window openings were broken in on the south side. Between 1945 and 1992, Arsenal Square with the town house was occupied by the [[Red Army]] and therefore inaccessible. On the site of the former Franciscan monastery, the city's Central Visitors' Reception was opened in 2014/2015. It includes the event centre Stadthaus, the [[Historical City Information]], the Council Archive and the Tourist and City Information Centre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wittenberg.de/staticsite/staticsite.php?menuid=1462&topmenu=1076&keepmenu=inactive |title=Central Visitor Reception ... ... am Arsenalplatz |trans-title=Central visitor reception ... ... at Arsenalplatz|website=wittenberg.de |language=de |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408040820/http://www.wittenberg.de/staticsite/staticsite.php?menuid=1462&topmenu=1076&keepmenu=inactive |archive-date=2016-04-08 |access-date=2016-08-03}}</ref>

===== Altes Rathaus and Marktplatz =====
[[File:Lutherstadt Wittenberg 09-2016 photo03.jpg|thumb|Town hall]]
In the centre of the old town is the market square, where a ensemble of town houses has grown up over the centuries. On it are the Renaissance town hall, the monuments to [[Luther Monument (Lutherstadt Wittenberg)|Martin Luther]] (designed by [[Johann Gottfried Schadow|Schadow]]) and Philipp Melanchthon (by [[Friedrich Drake|Drake]]), as well as the [[Market Fountain (Lutherstadt Wittenberg)|Marktbrunnen]]. Since the town administration has been located in the former Tauentzien barracks in Lutherstraße beginning in 2000 (New Town Hall), the town hall on the market square has been called the Old Town Hall and has since served more representative purposes.{{fact|date=April 2025}}

===== Cranach-Höfe =====
The Cranach Courts attest to the work of [[Lucas Cranach the Elder]], [[Lucas Cranach the Younger]], [[Hans Cranach]], [[Augustin Cranach]], and [[Lucas Cranach III]] in Wittenberg. The building at Markt 4 and the pharmacy with the courtyard at Schlossstraße 1 show points of contact with Lucas Cranach and his descendants.

Lucas Cranach the Elder set up his own print shop in the once-famous printing town of Wittenberg. Among other things, the [[95 Theses]], the first part of the Luther Bible, [[Martin Luther|Luther's]] Table Talks, and numerous woodcuts were printed here. After the reconstruction of the Cranach courtyards, a historic print shop was re-established in Schlossstrasse, where texts (e.g. Luther's table speeches) and illustrations (in linocut) are now produced as privately printed matter using the letterpress process. The historical Gutenberg press in the [[Cranach-Höfe|Cranachhof]] at Markt 4 demonstrates how printing was done in the Middle Ages.

===== Wittenberg Castle =====
Wittenberg Castle is the former residence of the [[Electorate of Saxony|Saxon Electors]]. After being destroyed in 1760 and 1814, it was used as a barracks as part of the defensive fortifications. Since the [[First World War]], the castle has served civilian purposes.

=== Museums ===
[[File:Lutherstadt Wittenberg 09-2016 photo02.jpg|thumb|Cranach-Hof ]]
* ''[[Cranach-Höfe]]'', Markt 4 (changing exhibitions)
* ''[[Town Hall (Lutherstadt Wittenberg)|Altes Rathaus]]'' (changing exhibitions)
* ''Christian Art Foundation Wittenberg'' with a permanent exhibition and changing special exhibitions in [[Wittenberg Castle]] (access via visitor centre)
* ''Haus der Geschichte'' (20th century housing culture and in particular that of the former GDR), Schlossstraße 6
* [[Museum of Municipal Collections in the Zeughaus]] (city history; [[Julius Riemer]] collection: natural history, ethnology), Arsenalplatz
* Science Center futurea, Markt 25
* Historical City Information and burial place of the [[Ascanians]] in the monastery church, Arsenalplatz

=== Other sights ===
[[File:Aufnahme Luthergarten und Himmelskreuz.jpg|thumb|Luthergarten]]
* [[Luther Oak (Lutherstadt Wittenberg)|Luthereiche]] at the southern end of Lutherstraße, where Martin Luther burned the [[Bull of Banishment]] of the Pope in 1520, thus completing his separation from the Roman Catholic Church.
* Röhrwasser, historical water supply system.<ref>On the subject of Röhrwasser, see Burkhart Richter: ''Wittenberger Röhrwasser – ein technisches Denkmal aus dem 16. Jahrhundert sowie Wasserversorgung Wittenbergs von früher bis heute'' (= ''Series of publications of the Stadtgeschichtliches Zentrum Wittenberg.''). {{ZDB-ID|914183-2}}, issue 13). Stadtgeschichtliches Zentrum Wittenberg, Wittenberg 1991, {{OCLC|258696929}}.</ref> In the 16th century, the steady growth of the population of the town of Wittenberg made a supply of fresh and clear water increasingly necessary. The existing wells and streams were no longer sufficient, as they were increasingly polluted with rubbish. The tubewater changed all that. With the tube water connection, fresh spring water was available to the citizens day and night, summer and winter. It was not until 1883 that the tubewater lost its importance due to the central water supply. Today, the Wittenberg tube water system with its 20 or so existing wells is the only functioning tube water supply system from the Middle Ages north of the [[Alps]] and thus a technical monument. Since 2002, parts of the streams flowing through the town have been opened up.<ref>[https://www.wittenberg.de/staticsite/staticsite.php?menuid=489&topmenu=6 ''Historic streams in the old town.''] In: ''wittenberg.de,'' retrieved 3 August 2016 (planning and construction history of the opening).</ref>
* [[Ratsarchiv Wittenberg]], Juristentrasse 16.
* [[Kirchliches Forschungsheim]], Friedrichstrasse 1a.
* [[Luthergarten Wittenberg|Luthergarten]], park with 270 trees from all over the world near the castle on Kurfürstenring (formerly Hallesche Straße).
* Panoramic circular image ''[[Luther 1517]]'' by [[Yadegar Asisi]], Wilhelm-Weber-Straße near the [[Augusteum and Luther House Wittenberg|Lutherhaus]]<ref>[https://www.wittenberg360.de/ ''Wittenberg 360°.''] In: ''wittenberg360.de,'' retrieved 25 May 2021.</ref>
* Tierpark Wittenberg (Zoological Garden), Juristenstraße.
* Alaris Butterfly Park, Rothemarkstraße.
* K-Building (Kommandantengebäude), to house the planned study collection of the municipal collections, with attached lecture and conference centre, Juristenstrasse 14<ref>Irina Steinmann: [https://www.mz-web.de/wittenberg/museum-im-k-gebaeude--bloss-keine-reine-lagerhalle--29513846 ''Museum in the K-Building? Just not a mere warehouse!''] In: ''mz-web.de,'' 19 January 2018, retrieved 22 September 2019 (start of article freely available).</ref><ref>Irina Steinmann: [https://www.mz-web.de/wittenberg/immobilien-in-wittenberg-stadt-plant-weitere-rochaden-24707584 ''Immobilien in Wittenberg. City plans further castles.''] In: ''mz-web.de,'' 7 September 2016, retrieved 30 October 2019 (start of article freely available).</ref><ref>Marcel Duclaud: [https://www.mz-web.de/wittenberg/k-gebaeude-in-wittenberg-rat-gibt-gruenes-licht-fuer-umbau-zur-fluechtlings-unterkunft-23057398 ''K-Gebäude in Wittenberg. Council gives green light for conversion to refugee accommodation.''] In: ''mz-web.de,'' 29 October 2015, retrieved 30 October 2019 (start of article freely available).</ref><ref>Irina Steinmann: [https://www.mz-web.de/wittenberg/lokalpolitik-in-wittenberg-die-winterpause-ist-vorbei-29466768 ''Local politics in Wittenberg. The winter break is over.''] In: ''mz-web.de,'' 11 January 2018, retrieved 30 October 2019 (start of article available free).</ref>