Did you know? Great-grandfather Lutherstadt Wittenberg is of the mobile phone not just known for Luther’s In 1833, Wilhelm Weber, in collaboration with Carl Friedrich Gauß, designed and built the rst electromagnetic telegraph. posting of his 95 theses on Weber House, where this famous son of the town was born, is the church door in 1517, but located at Schlossstraße 10. also for a few astonishing and some curious events. 973  e rst reference to the present-day Silent night, territory of Lutherstadt Wittenberg. holy night Berlin or Leipzig? Thanks to the express ICE train It is said that Martin Luther was the inspiration behind the link, you can enjoy a relax- gure of the Holy Christ, with the Christ Child later sup- ing breakfast in the capital, planting Catholic St Nicholas 30 as the deliverer of presents at have lunch in Lutherstadt Christmas. minutes Wittenberg and dance the night away in Leipzig.

Do you speak The Luther Oak Luther?  e Luther Oak stands at the southern end of Collegienstraße Luther’s expressions and quotes are deeply rooted in our language. Many of at the spot where Martin Luther them are quite natural to us today and we are unaware that they were orig- burned the papal bull in 1520. inally 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 express- ing the core of human characteristics and observations about coexistence as precisely as Martin Luther.

– 2 – LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLISHER Lutherstadt Wittenberg Marketing GmbH MANAGING DIRECTOR Johannes Winkelmann PROJECT MANAGER Franka List EDITORIAL TEAM Lutherstadt Wittenberg Marketing GmbH in ­conjunction with kleiner und bold GmbH, Berlin COORDINATION Lutherstadt Wittenberg Marketing GmbH, Franka List DESIGN kleiner und bold GmbH, Berlin PRINTER 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 © Investitions- und 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? Great-grandfather Lutherstadt Wittenberg is of the mobile phone 1610 Beer boots not just known for Luther’s In 1833, Wilhelm Weber, in collaboration with Carl Friedrich Michael Stifel, a minister and friend of Luther’s, proclaimed that Gauß, designed and built the first electromagnetic telegraph. A medical first the world would end on 19 October 1533. Clearly, this event is a posting of his 95 theses on Weber House, where this famous son of the town was born, is little overdue. A satirical song came about: “Stifel must die, he is located at Schlossstraße 10. On 21 April 1610, barber Jeremias still so young” — to the boozy accompaniment of which developed the church door in 1517, but Trautmann performed the first the custom of drinking beer from boots (‘Stiefel’ is German for documented Caesarian section in ‘boot’). also for a few astonishing history. and some curious events. 973 The first reference to the present-day The poisoner’s Silent night, territory of Lutherstadt Wittenberg. hand The poisoner Susanne Zimmermann killed two husbands and Four three children, along with a sister-in-law and nursemaid. Even holy today, her mummified hand continues to scare young and old alike at the Municipal Collections (Staedtische Sammlungen). in a row night Berlin or Leipzig? Thanks to the express ICE train It is said that Martin Luther Four UNESCO World was the inspiration behind the link, you can enjoy a relax- figure of the Holy Christ, with the Christ Child later sup- ing breakfast in the capital, Heritage Sites on planting Catholic St Nicholas 30 as the deliverer of presents at have lunch in Lutherstadt Christmas. 1938 one street — only in minutes Wittenberg and dance the night away in Leipzig. The prefix Lutherstadt was officially added to the name of Lutherstadt Wittenberg. Wittenberg.

Do you speak The Luther Oak 1502 Luther? The Luther Oak stands at the Glutton southern end of Collegienstraße Luther’s expressions and quotes are deeply rooted in our language. Many of at the spot where Martin Luther A Wittenberg man, Jakob Kahle, known as ‘Fresskahle’, Education for all them are quite natural to us today and we are unaware that they were orig- burned the papal bull in 1520. ate everything he could lay his hands on: glass, nails, inally spoken by Luther: ‘Bite the bullet’, ‘On one’s own initiative’, ‘Move firewood, etc. When he died in 1753, he was dissected The first university established by a territorial mountains’, ‘Pride comes before a fall’, ‘Ants in the pants’, ‘One in the eye’, in the university’s anatomy theatre, and the resulting lord rather than by the church was established ‘Fits like a glove’, etc. Scarcely anyone has ever succeeded so well at express- dissertation was entitled “Über den Wittenberger in Wittenberg in 1502. The reputation of the ing the core of human characteristics and observations about coexistence as Viel- und Allesfresser” [On the Wittenberg glutton and Leucorea surpassed that of all other universi- precisely as Martin Luther. omnivore]. ties in Germany at the time.

– 2 – – 3 – The town of the Reformation

6 12 16 20 26 32 A compact town Museums and Town of Living, working and exhibitions ­conferences and relaxing surrounded by Five museums are home conventions history – this has shaped to Wittenberg’s greatest Lutherstadt Wittenberg the attitude towards life historical treasures is and always has been a here town of discourse

18 8 A new spirit found Green town 28 A region its home Not only is Lutherstadt like no other Lutherstadt Wittenberg Wittenberg surrounded Lutherstadt Wittenberg is the birthplace and by beautiful countryside, is the perfect base from In 1996, UNESCO simultaneously granted four locations in Lutherstadt home of a new Protestant but the town itself is one which to explore Anhalt- Wittenberg the title ‘World Heritage Site’. Largely undamaged during World of the greenest places in faith – to this day Dessau-Wittenberg, a War II, world history is able to live on in this Renaissance town at the homes Germany region popular with tourists of Luther, Melanchthon and Cranach. 14 A world of wonders 22 Anyone looking from the direction of the Reformation in the 16th century. Since this A spectacular year Green light for Active and relaxing rec- 34 famous Elbe meadows towards the silhouette time, life here has been shaped by an atmos- Renaissance living industry In Lutherstadt reation in the Biosphere of the town today will see the unchanged phere of tolerance and discourse. The town Anyone seeking a Right at the heart Wittenberg, the streets Reserve The history of the town towers of the Castle Church (Schlosskirche) is located at the heart of Germany, with stylish, affordable and of things are the place to celebrate sometimes overshadows convenient place to live and Town Church (Stadtkirche). Both have excellent transport links to major cities such life the fact that important Firmly integrated will find a new home in shaped the townscape since Luther’s time as Berlin, Leipzig and Halle. Surrounded industries have located into the region’s Lutherstadt Wittenberg here – and with great infrastructure when Wittenberg gained its world-historical by a unique natural and cultural landscape, importance, which continues to have an Lutherstadt Wittenberg offers its residents a 10 success Historical mile impact today. distinctive place to live. Thanks to a stable Boredom not 24 Four World Heritage Conference and convention facilities have economy, a growing number of people are permitted Sites can be found in A place of been created in the historical walls. New finding training, job opportunities and Culture is a part of close proximity here education venues provide room for cultural events, career prospects here. Once the ‘Rome of the everyday life here – while new educational establishments North’, today it is a cultural and historical almost every day Lutherstadt Wittenberg is a town of science, the satisfy the growing need for continuing and gem with great economic potential. Let this origin of enlightened further education. Wittenberg retains the brochure guide you through our town – and thought character of a town of culture with histor- who knows, perhaps you’ll also be seduced ical roots reaching back to the time of the by Lutherstadt Wittenberg!

– 4 – – 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 cen- taste. There is hardly anywhere else in tre, while shady old town courtyards offer Germany where culture and nature blend the perfect retreat for conversation or read- together with such ease into a relaxing and ing on hot days. It is not just tourists who eventful location. stroll through the streets; they are joined by graduates and students from the Protestant A zest for life Seminary, Colleg Wittenberg, Leucorea, So it is no wonder that more and more the Wittenberg Centre for Global Ethics people are deciding to move here to the and other educational institutions. In short: Elbe region. Everyday life is affordable, Lutherstadt Wittenberg has remained a major cities such as Berlin and Leipzig can well-educated town in the best sense of the be reached within half an hour thanks to word. outstanding transport links, and the town and its immediate surroundings are able to Big culture, big nature offer increasingly attractive job opportuni- Just a stone’s throw away are the Elbe ties. Lutherstadt Wittenberg is continuing meadows where visitors can enjoy a won- to grow as an industrial, administrative and derful natural landscape, the ‘UNESCO service centre for the entire region. World Natural Heritage Site Middle Elbe On weekends, residents make the most of Biosphere Reserve’, with ancient trees and the many leisure opportunities: the Cranach river arms to delight the eye. Back in the courtyards, the Stadthaus or Exerzierhalle Centrally located is the Arsenal, a shopping mall which blends harmoniously into its old town surroundings. town, there are many events for visitors as cultural centres with historical back- Combined with the shops of the town centre, Lutherstadt to enjoy: concerts, conventions, historical grounds, the swimming pools, the zoo, the Wittenberg offers more than 325 shops as well as a diverse selection of cafés and restaurants. Anyone wanting to take a festivals, as well as high-quality shopping butterfly park, kayaking trips on the Elbe, relaxed stroll will certainly get their money’s worth. opportunities and restaurants to suit every sports facilities, andlots more besides.

– 6 – – 7 – A spectacular year

In Lutherstadt Wittenberg, the streets

Left: Celebrating Luther’s Wedding with the Luther couple are the place to Right: Pageant and jugglers on the streets of the old town ­celebrate life An overview of the year

You can find the precise dates at: www.lutherstadt-wittenberg.de/veranstaltungen

Like pearls on a string, a never-ending series of events May takes place in Lutherstadt Wittenberg throughout the • Lily of the Valley Festival year, including festivals, conventions and concerts. In the • Wittenberg Cycling Days • Elbe Cycling Day summer, visitors and residents alike enjoy the cultural highlights on the town streets. June • Luther’s Wedding Many citizens are very committed to ensuring that the town is able www.lutherhochzeit.de 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 July/August locals, they attend events such as Adventure Night, a night when • Courtyard concerts special art and musical spectacles await at many locations through- • Wine Festival out Wittenberg’s old town. The night draws to a close with a • Cabaret Festival Luther’s Wedding spectacular firework display. • Adventure Night www.wittenberger- It has been almost five hundred years Throughout the summer, one cultural event follows another: erlebnisnacht.de since former monk Martin Luther mar- high-profile concerts at the churches, the Lily of the Valley Festival, ried Katharina von Bora, a nun who had courtyard concerts, Luther’s Wedding, the Wine Festival, the September escaped from a convent. Every year in June, Pottery Market and the Cabaret Festival. the residents of Wittenberg and visitors By the way, cabaret today has one of its strongholds in Lutherstadt • Pottery Market to the town celebrate this occasion with a Wittenberg and justifiably so – for Martin Luther was a master at huge festival. They wear caps, gowns, cloaks presenting major problems in simplified form and posing questions October/November or doublets, practice old crafts, play replica with a twinkle in his eye. • Renaissance Music Festival instruments from the Renaissance, roast www.wittenberger- renaissancemusik.de pork on a spit and enjoy beer and wine. The Reformation at the heart of the town • Reformation Festival Throughout the historic old town, widely It could be said that the Reformation Festival on 31 October is www.wittenberger- travelled traders and landlords set up shop the spiritual and cultural highlight of the town’s year. Lutherstadt reformationsfest.de with their wares at the original locations of Wittenberg celebrates this starting point for the Reformation in the Luther era as jugglers and musicians en- Germany with festival church services, concerts and lectures. At December tertain the crowds. The Lutherstadt on the the historical market spectacle, jugglers, musicians and gypsies • Christmas Market in Elbe expects to welcome 100,000 visitors cavort through the streets of the old town to the market square – Wittenberg old town and in over the three days of the festival in June. bright, loud, colourful and just as bold and eloquent as the the Advent courtyards www.lutherhochzeit.de Reformers once were.

– 8 – – 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 The town is also home to many cultural have culture, the town is culture. organisations which ensure that there is Here historical anniversaries follow always something of interest going on: in quick succession. the Phönix-Theaterwelt, the cabaret and revue stage at CLACK-Theater, the art school in the Cranach courtyard, and the And it is not just annual events such as ‘TheaterJugendClub Chamäleon’, where Luther’s Wedding or the Reformation young talent takes to the boards, which Festival, that are celebrated. Major anni- might perhaps might mean the world to versaries recognised in 2015 include the them one day. There are also sculpture and 500th birthday of Lucas Cranach the graphics workshops, courtyard concerts and Younger, which will transform the town the stages of the Summer Cabaret Festival. into ‘Cranach City’ for twelve months. As Martin Luther once said: “If you are not One event of particular importance to allowed to laugh in heaven, then I do not Lutherstadt Wittenberg is the 500th want to go there.” anniversary of the Reformation, which will be celebrated in 2017 – and the World Exhibition of the Reformation will be held Seeing pink elephants! from 20 May to 10 September 2017. This In Wittenberg, there is virtually no graffiti shows what the Reformation means to peo- disfiguring walls because the graffiti artists ple worldwide, with a view to the present or ‘taggers’ have been consistently inte- and future. For what began 500 years ago grated into town activities by the ‘wb-mo- in Wittenberg continues to shape our lives tion’ association. Big names on the scene today – our language, the arts and music, are invited to take part in the Street Art our concept of freedom. At the conclusion Festival, where they leave their ‘tags’ on of the Church Congresses, a large festival large moveable walls on Arsenalplatz. One church service will be held on 28 May 2017 example is the pink elephant which today in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, attended by up very attractively masks the view of a grey to 300,000 visitors. concrete wall on Wichernstraße.

– 10 – – 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 ultimate- ly led to the Enlightenment.

The Reformation as an engine of Suddenly, all roads no longer led to Rome. Dr. Johannes Block, pas- economic growth When Martin Luther posted his 95 theses tor of the Town Church on the door of Wittenberg’s Castle Church Subsequently, Wittenberg became the cen- in 1517, his act transformed the mediaeval tre of this first media revolution: Printing Johannes Block (49) was born world. Faith had now become bipolar: one workshops were set up, bookbinders, in 1965 in Hamelin on the river Weser. Since 2011, he has centre of power remained unchanged on typesetters, proofreaders and lead workers followed in the footsteps of the Tiber, with the other pole now located were able to make a living in completely Martin Luther as the pastor of the on the Elbe. Wittenberg, previously a rather new professions. Lucas Cranach the Elder, Town Church of Wittenberg. He insignificant royal seat, became the origin not only a great painter and engraver, but lives in the old town. He wrote of a European revolution against religious also a far-sighted businessman, was, as a his doctoral thesis on Martin Luther’s understanding of music patronage and spiritual corruption. printer and publisher, able to rise to the in Heidelberg. This was followed Indeed, Luther’s act reached far beyond this position of mayor and ‘first man’ of the by a book of poems about Martin religious dimension: As a reformer, he was town. Luther: Die wittenbergische also present at the outset of German liter- Nachtigall. Luther im Gedicht ature. He helped develop the German lan- Luther’s ally – Philipp Melanchthon [The Wittenberg Nightingale. Luther in Poetry]. Johannes Block guage, and he possessed a special talent for Martin Luther, the eloquent champion, was plays the piano, enjoys jogging expressing religious insights using memo- not the only one whose voice drew students along the banks of the Elbe, and rable imagery or ‘metaphors’. In doing this, and scholars to Wittenberg by the thou- is an honorary professor of prac- he always listened “to what people really sands. Standing by his side was his equal, tical theology at the University of think”, which explains the rather graphic Philipp Melanchthon, in a way the creator Leipzig. nature of some of his statements: “When I of a new Protestant denomination. Through fart, they shall smell it in Rome.” his writings, the ‘Teacher of Germany’ With his polemic talent, he ignited the first created the necessary unity within the media revolution in our history. His writ- Protestant camp, which was still in ings were printed in large quantities and its infancy at that time. Many spread like wildfire. With the exception of other scholars, such as Johannes the two years he spent at Wartburg castle, Bugenhagen, were among the Martin Luther was never again to leave the protagonists of the new faith A new spirit town of Wittenberg for a long period. in Wittenberg. found its home 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 – 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 Stadthaus and in the German language. Exerzierhalle cultural centres

Tourist Information Arsenal www.lutherstadt- Shopping wittenberg.de Center Museum of Katja Köhler, town guide www.wittenberg.de the Municipal After completing her studies Collections in the in tourism, Katja Köhler (37) Castle Church Armoury Melanchthon House returned to her home town where she now lives with her husband It is on the door of the Castle Church The Melanchthon House is a place and three children. She knows (Schlosskirche) that Martin Luther where Protestantism was able to every corner of Wittenberg as she is said to have posted his 95 theses develop into a science, into a new works as a town guide, among against the abuse of indulgences. theology. other things. She made a great Luther House impression on locals and visitors alike in her role as Katharina von The family lived in Luther House, the Bora at Luther’s Wedding. She former Black Monastery, in a ‘com- is interested in history, geog- Coswiger Straße munity’ with many fellow believers, raphy and sports, founded the Bugenhagen to whom Luther directed his famous Kemberger Lebenszeiten e. V. as- House ‘Table Talk’. The building now sociation and is the author of the children’s town guide Unterwegs houses the world’s largest museum of mit Hänschen Luther durch Reformation history. Wittenberg [Out and about in Wittenberg with young Luther]. House of Collegienstraße History Cranach courtyard Cranach courtyard on Markt in Schlossstraße Leucorea University

The historical Four World Heritage Sites can be found in close proximity here mile

Shoulder to shoulder – this First, there are the four UNESCO sites tic and historical monuments. All this and A transformation visitors with all the information they need. expression is an accurate – the Luther House, the Town Church, much more can be found along the town’s Derelict land since the end of the Seven At the same time, the existing east-west axis description of the cultural the Melanchthon House and the Castle central axis, now known as the ‘Historical Years’ War in 1760, the site of the former of the town has been visually enhanced by landscape of Lutherstadt Church – followed by the castle, the Mile’. All along this route, dreamy nooks Franciscan monastery at the northern the transformation, creating a visual triangle Cranach courtyards, the Leucorea invite you to linger, cosy restaurants and entrance to Wittenberg has now been with a completely new panorama of the Wittenberg. A short stroll around town becomes University, the Town Hall with its cafés offer something to suit every taste transformed into an eye-catching venue historical old town. a cultural experience of the highest order, as Renaissance façade, numerous town hous- and small, well-stocked shops entice people worth seeing. Located on Arsenalplatz, the one sight leads on to the next. es, the Luther Oak and all the other artis- in to browse. central Town Information Office provides

– 14 – – 15 – Five museums house Wittenberg’s greatest historical treasures

Tourists simply cannot check the town off their list in a Cranach House single day because the choice of museums is so rich. So The historical Cranach House at Markt 4 now houses the perma- visitors should take their time and enjoy the hospitality nent exhibition ‘Cranachs Welt’ (Cranach’s World). Many artists of Lutherstadt Wittenberg over several days. 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 , Luther House where adults may also take courses during the Summer Academy. When Martin Luther arrived in Wittenberg for the first time in September 1508, he took up residence in the Augustinian mon- Museum of the Municipal Collections in the Armoury It is always better to astery. When the Reformation began, sixty of the monks, who The redesigned town museum has found a new home at the „ were loyal to Rome, left the monastery in protest in 1521. Luther Prussian armoury on Arsenalplatz. The ‘crown jewels’ of the town remained behind with one other brother. His marriage on 13 June can be seen on the ground floor. These include unusual items orig- 1525 then transformed this silent, deserted place into a hospice of inating from different departments of the Municipal Collections. see with one’s own the Reformation’. Today it houses the world’s largest museum of The next two floors house exhibits from more than 700 years of Reformation history. Visitors are able to learn about the life of the this town’s history and from Julius Riemer’s famous natural history reformer Luther as well as the diversity of everyday life at that time. and ethnological collection.

eyes than those of Melanchthon House House of History The importance of the professor Philipp Melanchthon is evidenced Visitors who do not wish to travel quite so far back in time can by the fact that the Elector gave him his own house in the town. relive everyday life from the 1920s to the 1990s in original living other people. Virtually unchanged today, the almost 500-year old Renaissance rooms, classrooms and the in-house dance bar at the House of gable towers above all of its neighbours in Collegienstraße. The History. The museum also has the following permanent exhibi- reputation of the ‘Teacher of Germany’ annually drew thousands tions: ‘Everyday design & forms in the GDR from the 1970s’, Martin Luther of scholars to the Elbe, with the Leucorea being the best attended ‘Signposts – Sign of the times. Everyday life for Germans and university in Europe at this time. The Melanchthon House now Russians in a central German region 1945–1993’ as well as ‘Luther houses a permanent exhibition paying tribute to this great human- in the GDR’. You can also immerse yourself in the history of ist and reformer. Lutherstadt Wittenberg here.

Cranach courtyards of the Reformation’, he created the paintings which Two of the most important Renaissance painters established his fame. It is only because his portraiture had their studios in Wittenberg: Lucas Cranach the was so true to life that we are able to create images of

Elder and his son Lucas Cranach the Younger. Elector many famous personalities today. Left: Cranach statue in the Cranach courtyard, Schlossstraße 1 Frederick the Wise had appointed the father to his However, he did not just have a successful artist’s studio, Bottom: Lecture hall in Luther House, busts of Luther and court in Wittenberg in 1505. The artist then lived in he also established a printing shop which produced works Melanchthon as well as the study in Melanchthon House this town for almost half a century. Here, as ‘Painter such as Martin Luther’s first translation of the bible.

– 16 – – 17 – Christian Gatniejewski, paramedic

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, By taking just a few steps, residents and An important hub for cyclists Fläming-Skate circuit delights all roll- providing first aid services. visitors to Lutherstadt Wittenberg are A place with so much nature close at hand erbladers. With so much enticing water A world of able to leave the Renaissance town behind will, of course, also offer virtually unlim- around, sailors, canoeists and kayakers are and surround themselves with the beauty ited sporting and leisure opportunities. never far away. And if you prefer a less ener- of the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve. Lutherstadt Wittenberg has become an im- getic outing, then simply hop aboard one of The extensive Elbe meadows have been a portant hub for cyclists. Several cycle routes the pleasure boats. UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site intersect in the old town itself, including wonders since 1979. In this wide floodplain, the the European Cycle Route R1, a mammoth Fläming Nature Park Elbe is still able to do as she pleases. A undertaking which runs from Boulogne- Lutherstadt Wittenberg is one of the spon- landscape full of solitary gnarled oaks with sur-Mer in France to St Petersburg. The sors of Fläming Nature Park. This isolated extensive alluvial forest has remained in Berlin-Leipzig cycle route, which takes and wild landscape north of the town was its natural state. Animals and plants that in the Fläming Nature Park and Düben once colonised by immigrant Flemings. With In Lutherstadt Wittenberg there is no need to get in the car to ex- have become extinct elsewhere have found Heath, also enables cyclists to enjoy the its winding villages, dreamy brick churches, perience nature. Directly outside the town are the impressive Elbe sanctuary here. The area stretches far into hospitality of the Wittenberg people when silent monasteries and its ‘Rummeln’, the dry meadows. The Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve is one of the oldest the Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz, passing through the region. Not least, the ravine valleys which are a special geological UNESCO reserves in Germany. where the last remaining river beavers have Elbe cycle route, which follows the mean- feature of the area, a visit here is often com- created a habitat in the water for their dering river from Hamburg, also passes pared to a trip back in time to the Middle architecture. through the old town. Many times it has Ages. It is no wonder that the park authori- Visitors can learn more about this unique been described as one of the most beautiful ties are happy to provide ‘scary tours’ com- 125,000 hectare reserve at the Auenhaus long-distance cycle routes in Europe. plete with legends, bandits and guns, thereby information centre. Other sports have not been forgotten. successfully transporting visitors back in The ‘black ice’ of the 225-kilometre long time to this lost empire of fable and myth.

– 18 – – 19 – „Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would Not only is Lutherstadt Wittenberg ­surrounded by beautiful countryside, go to pieces, but the town itself is one of the greenest places in Germany I would still plant my Two animal parks Age moraine. When they reach the sum- trees and the secrets of the forest in detail at The town’s zoo is located in the casemates, mit, they can enjoy a spectacular view of the arboretum. a preserved section of the former ramparts. Luther’s town, the Fläming region and the apple tree. Monkeys, meerkats, parrots and birds Elbe meadows. The Luther Garden of prey can all be seen in the open-air Located on the edge of the historical enclosures, and young and old alike can Experiencing nature in the Stadtwald town centre is the Luther Garden, a large Martin Luther enjoy the petting zoo. The animal world is The town forest or Stadtwald stretches over park maintained by the Lutheran World also the focus of the Alaris Butterfly Park. 90 hectares to the north-west of Lutherstadt Federation. To mark the 500th anniversary Beneath palms, banana trees, orchids and Wittenberg. At one time, it was the source of of the Reformation in 2017, 500 saplings coffee bushes, more than 140 species of wood for local people; now it is an environ- will be planted here and around the town. butterfly live in a tropical paradise. Some of mental refuge responsibly maintained by At the heart of the garden is the Luther them have a wingspan of almost 30cm. NABU Wittenberg [Nature and Biodiversity Rose, a planted area in the shape of Luther’s Conservation Union]. Here visitors will find seal, today a symbol of the Evangelical- Apollensberg a nature and environmental education centre Lutheran Church. From it, seven paths sym- Located on the edge of the town, 127 me- with animal enclosures, discovery trails and bolically point to the seven Protestant world tres above sea level, is the Apollensberg. Its biotopes. The NABU Centre ‘Im Stadtwald’ areas which characterised the world view at unique limestone sediment enables animals has long been a meeting place and recreation that time. Churches and communities may and plants to live here that no longer exist area for locals and visitors. People come here sponsor trees: The donor plants a tree in the anywhere else. Visitors are able to climb to ‘chill’ in the sensory garden, to relax in Luther Garden, and at the same time, a tree the hill by following a nature trail, which the meadow orchard, to romp in the adven- in their hometown will be labelled so that it points out the special features of this Ice ture playground, or to learn about native is associated with Lutherstadt Wittenberg.

– 20 – – 21 – Renaissance

Jan P. Pajak, media engineer living Jan Pajak (33) was born in Leipzig in 1981. He later moved to the old book printing town of Wittenberg. Married in 2012, he Anyone seeking a stylish, is now the father of a daugh- ter. The trained offset printer ­affordable and convenient place and media engineer works for Mundschenk Druck+Medien as a production manager. His hobbies to live will find a new home in include photography and music. He has also made a name for Lutherstadt Wittenberg himself as a founding member of the band Suppengrün.

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 con- stantly 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 – Left: Leucorea University A place of education 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, Leucorea, renowned scientific research institutions here that she carves out her seven pillars. enrich the academic world. International conferences From here, the call went out to guests that they and seminars expand the limits of knowledge and should come. And they came from all coun- attract researchers from all over the world to the town. The Protestant Seminary has found a new home in tries, states and nations.” So said Giordano the former electors’ palace. In the heart of the town, Bruno at the end of the 16th century, enthusi- the Protestant church prepares its new trainees for the astically describing the town of Wittenberg and ministry. The Luther House World Heritage Site was its educational establishments. transformed into a place of scientific research. In the Augusteum, a historical university building, accom- panying exhibitions and documentation find their The Leucorea, Wittenberg’s university, was the focus appropriate location. Colleg Wittenberg also offers a of much of this praise. Founded in 1502 by Elector growing number of foreign students places for their Frederick the Wise, one hundred years later it had be- semester abroad. come the most important educational establishment in Europe for theologians, lawyers, budding doctors and Industry, education, people civil servants. Students, professors and scientists flocked Lutherstadt Wittenberg’s education policy has one very here to the banks of the Elbe in their thousands. In firm goal: With the growing influx of students and 1817, the Leucorea was merged with the University of scientists, the town remains young. Like an anchor, Halle by order of the Prussian state. research will stop the migration of qualified people. In 1994, the old tradition was revived. The Stiftung The young generation will find job opportunities here, Leucorea foundation was established in Lutherstadt economic power will increase. Educational establish- Wittenberg, with the objective of forming close ments with a global reputation will thereby create a links with the heyday of this Wittenberg education- threefold win-win-win situation: for industry, the town al establishment. Today, under the umbrella of the 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 Anyone planning a major event in exceptional sur- Bottom: Historical brick façade of the Exerzierhalle roundings should certainly consider the Wittenberg Right: Foyer and hall of the Stadthaus Stadthaus, which also houses the central Town Information Office. Opened in 2014, this ultra-mod- ern convention centre is able to accommodate 600 people. And not just for conferences or panel discus- sions ‒ 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 mul- tifunctional 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 – Right since the beginning of the 20th research in the fields of fertilisers and plant with the number continuing to rise swiftly. century, Wittenberg has been an im- cultivation. Located in close proximity to Whether it is bulk goods, finished goods, portant location for nitrogen chem- the research and production facilities is foods or liquefied gas, Piesteritz offers the icals in Germany. Today, the Agro- a health centre with doctor’s surgeries, a ideal handling and dispatch conditions for Green light for physiotherapy practice and a fitness studio, all products – not to mention production-re- Chemical Park is situated just outside a campus park, a company kindergarten lated research, which is located right on the the town, with SKW Stickstoffwerke and also a science center. The Training and doorstep. All this is probably why there are industry Piesteritz, Germany’s largest manu­ Continuing Education Centre, with lecture only 30 hectares currently available in this fac­tur­er of ammonia and urea and theatres, laboratories and a library, promotes fully developed industrial park. producer of speciality industrial and sound opportunities for advancement for the Perfect infrastructure agrochemicals, located at its centre. approximately 850 employees. Other compa- nies cooperate willingly and often with this The Agro-Chemical Park is divided into Gleaming pipelines and wide green The history of the town sometimes overshadows the fact industrial core of the region. They establish north and south sites by the Magdeburg– spaces both have an equal influence their production facilities in the surrounding Dresden railway line. On the Elbe side, the that important industries have located here – on the image of the industrial culture area and benefit from the excellent transport site stretches as far as the river with its port here. links and funding opportunities offered by facilities. Running between them and the and with great success. the town and the federal state of Saxony- production plants is the B 187 federal high- Anhalt. The state government supports way, which conveys traffic to the motorway The level of research undertaken by SKW and promotes the Agro-Chemical Park as a network in just a few minutes. Whether by Stickstoffwerke Piesteritz GmbH is unique priority area and as a regional freight village. rail, road or water, Lutherstadt Wittenberg for a medium-sized company. Its scientific 45,000 HGVs call here, on the southern always offers the best logistics infrastructure facilities undertake important fundamental edge of the Fläming region, every year, for industry.

Agro-Chemical Park Piesteritz with a view towards Lutherstadt Wittenberg – more than 30 companies have already moved to the 220 hectare site.

– 28 – – 29 – Andreas Thiele, industrial painter Creating jobs with tomatoes A few years ago, three Dutch people came up with a plan Andreas Thiele (50) is a painter to create one of the largest tomato farms in Europe in by trade. He currently works for Krafotec as a preserver. Away Agro-Chemical Park Piesteritz. The necessary synergies from his job, he is one of the existed thanks to the SKW nitrogen plants next door greatest experts in the everyday and transport links to urban customer regions. Following culture of our Elbe renaissance. investment of around € 20 million on 15 hectares of Thanks to his membership in covered land, 150 people now work for the company. the Trachtenverein Wittenberg [traditional folk costume associa- Such commitment means that the three founders can be tion], he ascended to the nobility forgiven for calling their product the ‘Luther tomato’, for Luther’s Wedding, where he even though Luther would definitely never have plays the Elector. In his free time, known about this fruit. Andreas Thiele enjoys cycling and hiking.

A diversified business location Bitterfeld Dessau Wittenberg mbH also been all about sweet things at Wikana since The industrial tradition of Lutherstadt provide help. They explain to investors the 1906. Lutherbrodt, Hansa Keks, Butterkeks Wittenberg is also continuing to have an many advantages offered by the location, ad- with the Luther rose and the classic Othello effect in other sectors – for example, in the vise existing businesses, support the recruit- biscuit – the tasty delights from Lutherstadt construction of commercial and specialist ment of new employees in order to solve the Wittenberg have been a treat for many cus- vehicles, the manufacture of rubber com- nationwide problem of a shortage of skilled tomers since their childhood. The traditional pounds, high-quality corrosion and wear workers, and coordinate approval procedures. company places particular importance on protection systems, in the ceramics and regional and sustainable production, moving packaging industry, in construction chemi- Flying high with the times and constantly bringing in- cals production, as well as in the production Krafotec, once a state-owned company novative products onto the market. Wikana of adhesive labels, the construction of fill- for crane and conveyor technology in has established itself as a powerful biscuit ing machines, in air conditioning technolo- Lutherstadt Wittenberg, has become a brand in the German retail market, and also gy, in the speciality gas industry and in the sought-after developer of specialist cranes exports to 16 countries. food and beverages industry: Rama, Lätta and transporters, for conveyor systems and and Sanella have effectively become special- the non-destructive testing of materials. Secure transport ities of the Wittenberg region. According to Whether pillar-mounted slewing cranes, With a production plant of 110,000 square economists, the industrial environment is turning crossheads or safety fencing – the metres, Feldbinder Spezialfahrzeugwerke now “highly diversified”, and therefore set company is growing in all areas where it is GmbH manufactures liquid tank trailers for the future. necessary to move large loads safely. Every for all applications in the chemical, food year, the company delivers cranes for di- and oil industries. The company also pro- Supporting growth verse applications to customers in Germany duces silo trailers, rail wagons and contain- Wittenberg’s economy is growing because and abroad. ers in aluminium and stainless steel here in companies and investors are able to find Lutherstadt Wittenberg for delivery around optimum conditions locally. The town’s Cult biscuits the world. Feldbinder is one of the largest Top: Krafotec full gantry crane office for economic development and From chocolate in the early years to the wide employers and apprenticeship companies in Bottom: Tank trailer from Feldbinder on Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft Anhalt- variety of biscuits available today – it has the region. Wittenberg’s Elbe Bridge

– 30 – – 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 Fläming both locals and visitors alike memorable experiences. Castles, palaces, churches, monasteries, historical town districts Nowhere else do they have the opportunity to explore and old mills dominate the cultural landscape of the Fläming nature and culture in such close proximity. 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 gran- For more than 100 kilometres, the tourism region of Anhalt- ite stones from the surrounding fields into simple stone churches Dessau-Wittenberg is shaped by the majestic course of the Elbe, in the Romanesque style. It is still possible to explore these easily along with its tributaries the Saale, Mulde and Elster. For the most today without needing a car, for international cycle routes and The garden kingdom part, they all follow their natural course, thereby making it possible the ‘Fläming-Skate’ network of skating paths, as well as rivers and Achieving a harmonious inter- to preserve the largest contiguous area of alluvial forest in central canals, open the national park up to everyone. play of nature, architecture and Europe. In the south, visitors are attracted to the forests of Düben art was the aim of the landscape Heath and in the north to the gentle hills of the Fläming region. The Bauhaus in Dessau design movement at the time As you enjoy the pristine countryside here, you will also feel history ‘Fight against ornamentation’ and ‘Functionality’ were key watch- of the early Enlightenment. come to life. words when Walter Gropius founded a new style of architecture in Under the direction of Friedrich Weimar in 1919. In 1925, the Bauhaus moved to Dessau, attracting Wilhelm von Erdmannsdorff, Düben Heath artists such as Kandinsky, Klee, Schwitters, Schlemmer, Moholy- the Dessau-Wörlitzer Garden Anyone wanting to see cranes, white-tailed sea eagles, beavers and Nagy and Feininger as if by magic. Naturally, all that was a thorn in Kingdom was created – six other rare species in an unspoilt landscape of lakes, forests and the side of the National Socialists, and the Bauhaus was closed down palaces and seven parks in a rivers should definitely visit Düben Heath Nature Park. Located in 1932. Yet, to this date, it remains one of the most influential edu- landscape laid out according to to the south of Lutherstadt Wittenberg, this natural paradise of 75 cational establishments in the fields of architecture, art and design, the English style. Leopold III hectares is protected. Park rangers guide visitors on walks through as well as the home of the avant-garde of classical modernism. The Friedrich Franz von Anhalt- the spectacular scenery, where they will also come across the masters’ houses designed by Walter Gropius, including the Bauhaus Dessau was the patron whose so-called ‘heath magnets’ – mazes, high-rope courses, a zoo and building itself, are now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site vision it was to combine beauty Schloss Reinharz, a moated castle. and inspire visitors from around the world. Since 1994, the Bauhaus with usefulness in this way. Dessau Foundation has been housed in this historic building.

– 32 – – 33 – Berlin

Elbe

Daniel Probst, innovation consultant

Daniel Probst (38) from Leipzig helps companies to gain a fresh outlook on their business area Right at the and introduces them to surprising ideas. He is also a lecturer at Magdeburg the University of Leipzig. He is 32 minutes delighted with the fast, easy ICE 60 minutes train connection between Leipzig and Lutherstadt Wittenberg. 90 minutes Within 30 minutes he can “escape centre of the daily grind” and recharge his 90 minutes creative juices with new impres- sions. His three children particu- larly appreciate the town’s cultural programme: Luther’s Wedding and the hustle and bustle of the things Reformation Festival. Lutherstadt Dessau- 30 minutes Wittenberg Roßlau 35 minutes Firmly integrated into the region’s infrastructure

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 30 minutes 60 minutes 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, resi- dence or holiday destination – remains primarily a matter of logic and not of 30 minutes 60 minutes 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 Elbe companies in the direct vicinity and well-trained skilled employees. In short, Halle Lutherstadt Wittenberg has everything you could want from a town, and much more besides.

Leipzig

– 34 – – 35 – www.wittenberg.de