Germany's Cultural Treasure Chest
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saxony-anhalt Germany’s Cultural treasure Chest www.saxony-anhalt-tourism.eu 2 3 » you are inviteD to saxony-anhalt: Germany’s Cultural treasure Chest. « stephan Dorgerloh Secretary for Education and Culture Two decades after the peaceful revolution and the subsequent As I have mentioned, we have glorious buildings, from churches and castles reunification of Germany, it is time to discover – or re-discover – to half-timbered houses and 20th-century classics designed by the Bauhaus the cultural heart of Germany. Despite the rebirth of our state, our (the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation continues here in Saxony-Anhalt). heritage has never changed. But, it is the great individuals, both men and women, who have inspired us for centuries. What’s more, many of them sailed to the U.S.A. and left their In the past twenty years we have worked hard to restore our mark on American history. magnificent castles and impressive cathedrals, powerful fortresses and atmospheric old towns. So now, I would like you to visit these / Henry muhlenberg was the Patriarch of the lutheran Church magical places, with stories that resonate around the world. At in north america; his descendants played a major role in u.s. politics the same time, we have built competitive new businesses, many and government. of which trade abroad, often with our friends in the United States / Friedrich von steuben was General Washington’s Chief of staff of America. In fact, we attract more inward investment than any and is remembered across the u.s.a. with annual German-american other former East German state. Steuben Parades. We believe that much of our success, both present and future, is I invite you to read through the following pages, which also take you to our built on our past. Although Germany’s cultural treasure chest is gardens, vineyards and unspoiled countryside; to our classical concerts and about the same size as New Jersey, it has long stood at a cultural traditional Christmas markets; and, of course, our taverns – places to meet crossroads. Our history stretches back over a thousand years and and chat to locals. After all, as I said, we are all about people. includes many famous people, who have influenced the world: Willkommen in saChsen-anhalt! / Martin luther, the reformer and catalyst for the WelCome to saxony-anhalt! Protestant reformation / Otto von Bismarck, who unified the nation state that is Germany / J. s. Bach and George Frederick handel, two of the world’s great composers Stephan Dorgerloh / Lucas Cranach, the finest painter of his era Secretary for Education and Culture / Walter Gropius, the architect and founder of the Bauhaus 4 VINEYARDs SURROUND 5 FREYBURG (UNSTRUT) UNESCo WORLD HERITAGe Saxony-Anhalt has more UNESCO World Heritage sites than any other state in Germany. This honor places some of the state‘s greatest treasures on the same level of cultural importance as the Pyramids saxony-anhalt in Egypt, the Great Wall of China and the Statue of Liberty in the U.S.A. The four a federal state of Germany sites are: the Old Town of Quedlinburg, the Capital: Magdeburg sites associated with Luther in Lutherstadt area: 7,895 square miles Wittenberg and Lutherstadt Eisleben, the Population: 2.5 million Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom and the www.sachsen-anhalt.de Bauhaus in Dessau. 6 7 SAXONY-ANHALT’s CULTURAL TREASURE CHEST 20 38 50 Lifting the lid on Saxony-Anhalt’s 1,000-year-old cultural treasure chest reveals a surprisingly wide array of riches. There are great musicians and great architects, historic buildings and glorious gardens, fine wines and inspired artists. THE AMERICAN WINE AND FOOD ANNUAL FESTIVALS And there are men who sailed the Atlan- tic to make a major impact on the history CONNECTION AND EVENTS of the United States of America. Saxony-Anhalters in the U.S.A. Local specialties 8 26 41 54 MARTIN LUTHER CULTURAL CONTEMPORARY MAP oF PoWERHOUSE CREATIVITY SAXONY-ANHALT and the Protestant Reformation From art to music New names, new ideas 14 32 44 THE BAUHAUS a SAXONY-ANHALT THE GREEN STATE sPeCIALTY Changing the way we live Half-timbered houses World class gardens 8 9 MARTIN LUTHER anD the Protestant ChurCh What started out as an attempt to reform the Debate was one thing, but a public challenge roman Catholic Church in europe led to what to papal authority was a serious matter. After is known as the Protestant reformation. this Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door, this was not just one single event; it was a string highly-intellectual German monk was condemn- of episodes that resulted in a massive change. ed as a heretic and declared an outlaw by the church. But his action prompted theological discussion and many agreed with his views. When Martin Luther strode on to the stage of history, he was the right man in the right And, there was more. Luther translated the place and at the right time. After much study New Testament into German, believing that of the Bible, he decided that salvation was a ordinary people should be able to read the personal matter between man and God. He Holy Scripture for themselves. Published in also objected to practices such as the selling of 1522, the first edition sold out; demand “indulgences,” seen by many as a way of “buy- continued and in two years, it was reprinted ing your way into heaven.” He argued that the over 60 times. The subsequent edition (1534), Catholic Church had to be reformed, so that it with both Old and New Testaments, continued would be more fair, less greedy and accessible to be a “bestseller.” to all. the luther DeCaDe MARTIN LUTHER (1483-1546) In 2017, Protestant communities around the world will celebrate Martin Luther’s famous act of protest in Wittenberg. What he did – and why – resonated over the In 1508, Martin Luther took up a teaching position years and across the world. He may not have actually said, “Here I stand. I cannot do at the university in Wittenberg. Nine years later, otherwise.” But, his challenge to authority was based on the idea that an individual on October 31, 1517, the 34-year-old monk nailed had – and must follow – his own religious conscience. Once unleashed, that revolu- his “95 Theses” to the door of the Castle Church in tionary idea could not be stopped. And, when Protestants sailed from the Old World this important trading town. His act of defiance to the New a century or so later, one of the reasons for the journey was to have the set in motion a chain of events that changed the freedom to worship as they wished. | www.luther2017.de history of the world. 10 LUTHERSTADt 11 WITTENBerG The Castle Church, where PHILIPP MELANCHTHON Luther nailed his 95 Theses. (1497-1560) Martin Luther was the lynchpin of the Reformation, but there were others, who were important in the movement. One of these was Philipp Melanchthon. A fellow professor at the University of Wittenberg, he was a great friend to Luther, supporting, listen- ing to and arguing with the Great Reformer. Preferring reason to passion, Melanchthon stayed calm, even in heated debates, and looked for areas of agreement with fellow Christians. He is buried in the Castle Church in Wittenberg, close to Luther. LUTHERSTADt WittenBerG luther house Now one of the four UNESCO World Heritage sites in Saxony-Anhalt, this former Augustinian monastery katharina was Luther‘s home. Now a von Bora museum of the Reformation, (1499-1552) the highlight is the Living Room, with its 16th-century If ever there was a “power behind the furnishings. A professor at throne,” it was Katharina von Bora. Wittenberg University, many Born of a noble, but poor, family, she of his conversations with his was sent away to school and then colleagues and students are became a nun. In 1523, with the Refor - collected in a book, Table mation under way, she and 11 fellow Talk (1566). nuns escaped from their convent and fled to Wittenberg. According to legend, they were taken in by the painter Lucas Cranach, who was a friend of Martin Luther. On June 13, 1525, the 42-year- old former monk married the 26-year- old former nun. During their long and happy marriage, she bore six children, ran the household, organized the family finances, dealt with Luther‘s publishers – and was his sole heir. 12 13 LUTHER the man Who ChanGeD history although luther lived five centuries ago, food. He could be as stubborn as a mule, but his presence is still tangible. in the cultural he was also great company and left thousands treasure chest that is saxony-anhalt, visitors of quotable quotes that are pithy, witty and can, literally, walk in his footsteps. they can memorable. Although trained as a monk and see pulpits from which he preached, and even ordained a priest, he went on to choose a eat the sort of sausages that he would have different life. In 1525, he married a former nun, enjoyed. they can also see what he looked Katharina von Bora (1499-1552) and become a like. as well as statues and portraits, there is devoted father and family man. his death mask – and also a cast of his hands – on display in halle (saale). here, too, are copies In his later years, Luther continued to write, of the Bible with his hand-written notes. teach and preach hundreds of sermons, despite suffering from painful illnesses, such as kidney Martin Luther was a passionate and charismatic stones. He also wrote music, including carols man.