'Sites of the Reformation'

PATRIMOINE EUROPÉEN EUROPÄISCHES ERBE PATRIMONIO EUROPEO EUROPEAN HERITAGE EUROPEAN HERITAGE LABEL ‘Sites of the Reformation’ FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY Application form for listing under the ‘European Heritage Label’ scheme Country Germany Region/province Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Brandenburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia Name of the cultural property1, monument, ‘Sites of the Reformation’ network natural or urban site2, or site that has played a key role in European history. Owner of the cultural property, monument, cf. details in the brief descriptions natural or urban site, or site that has played a key role in European history Public or private authorities responsible for Public authorities the site or property (delegated management) Postal address Stiftung Luthergedenkstätten, Collegienstrasse 54, D-06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg Geographic coordinates of the cultural cf. enclosed map property, monument, natural or urban site, or site that has played a key role in European history Reasons for listing The history and impact of the Reformation in Europe has a very high profile in some regions of the EU today, whilst in others it is largely pushed aside and forgotten. Consequently, the monuments in question include not only buildings and institutions of considerable importance from a historical and artistic perspective, but also others whose relevance is appreciated only at a local level or by those from a particular religious tradition. The European Heritage Label initiative represents an opportunity to create a network of monuments which inherently belong together, even if they may be very different in type and quality. It is this which differentiates the initiative from the UNESCO World Heritage List, which is largely biased towards artistic and historic conservation criteria alone. The initiative is also the next public step in an approach which, as European ‘Lieux de Mémoire’, has already been widely discussed in an academic context, both from the perspective of the formation of a 1 The term ‘cultural property’ refers to an object that is emblematic of European history 2 A ‘site’ can be a place, building or structure, or a landscape, etc., including any non-physical heritage associated with the site 1 European consciousness in the past, and in the hope of developing a clearer European identity in the future. This would appear to be an opportune time to create a network of German loci memoriae of the Reformation as a locus memoriae we can all share. History of the cultural property, monument, cf. details in the brief descriptions natural or urban site, or site that has played a key role in European history System of protection of the cultural Cultural properties are under the protection property, monument, natural or urban site, of Historic Monuments Protection Acts or site that has played a key role in European history, if appropriate State of preservation of the site/object Good state of preservation; administered by the states and municipalities Policy to promote and enhance the cf. details in the brief descriptions appreciation of the site/property (detail actions already performed and required) Cultural exchanges and networking Many European countries were affected by the Reformation in a similar way to Germany. Other European states could and should join the network. Heritage and creative activities Educational opportunities, attractions for tourists and academic research are already in place; cf. the details in the brief descriptions. Sources and level of finance The sites are partly funded by the German government, the states and municipalities, and by their individual funding bodies. Activities taken/planned to heighten the The ‘Sites of the Reformation’ network is profile and representativeness of the site still in its early stages, so no information can be made available at the present time. 2 Ministry of Education and Cultural Magdeburg, 02.07.2010 Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt European Heritage Label Sites of the Reformation in Germany The history and impact of the Reformation in Europe has a very high profile in some regions of the EU today, whilst in others it is largely pushed aside and forgotten. Consequently, the monuments in question include not only buildings and institutions of considerable importance from a historical and artistic perspective, but also others whose relevance is appreciated only at a local level or by those from a particular religious tradition. The European Heritage Label initiative represents an opportunity to create a network of monuments which inherently belong together, even if they may be very different in type and quality. It is this which differentiates the initiative from the UNESCO World Heritage List, which is largely biased towards artistic and historic conservation criteria alone. The initiative is also the next public step in an approach which, as European ‘Lieux de Mémoire’, has already been widely discussed in an academic context, both from the perspective of the formation of a European consciousness in the past, and with the aspiration of developing a clearer European identity in the future. This would appear to be an opportune time to create a network of German loci memoriae of the Reformation as a locus memoriae we can all share. Sixteenth century Europe experienced a thrust of modernisation as a result of the structural change which we commonly refer to as the Reformation. From the mediaeval unity of the Corpus Christianum, headed by the Emperor and the Pope, emerged nation- states which were split between three main denominations. The German Reich proved, however, to be an exception; its federal structures compelled, but also facilitated bi- denominationalism. Lutheranism was firmly established here, as it was in Scandinavia and eastern/central Europe. Irrespective of location, its growth was contingent upon political circumstances. The establishment of a primary school system based on the ideology of the Wittenberg Reformation was largely responsible not only for allowing education to flourish, but also for embedding the belief system in the population within a single generation. The second, Calvinist reform movement took a different course; it was adopted primarily in western European countries with well-developed economies, along a line from Switzerland and the Netherlands to Scotland. Following the Council of Trent, the traditional church evolved into the present-day Roman Catholic Church, with its strongest base in the countries of the Habsburg Empire and in southwest Europe. The upheaval generated by the Reformation in its various manifestations in the first half of the 16th century made such an impression on the population of the day that it was keen to preserve its memory and ensure its survival. The process of reification began after the death of Martin Luther, but only really took hold in earnest in the 19th century. Wittenberg led the way by erecting a memorial to Luther in 1821 from plans dating back to 1806. This memorial was followed by others, both in Germany and throughout Europe. At the heart of any commemoration of the Reformation lies the conservation and renovation of sites associated with the lives of the Reformers. One early example is the baroque renovation of the house in Eisleben where Luther was born; there is evidence of its use as a school, church welfare agency and memorial dating back to 1693. The earliest memorial from the 19th century is Luther’s Room at Wartburg Castle. It was soon followed by an attempt to commemorate the Reformer at 3 the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt, the opening of the ‘Lutherhalle’ museum in Luther’s former Wittenberg home in 1883 and the house where he died in Eisleben, and the memorialisation of Melanchthon’s house in Wittenberg in 1897. There was also Luther’s House in Eisenach and the opening of a new memorial in 1903 on the original site of the house where Melanchthon was born in Bretten. Yet nothing could compare in this respect with the Castle Church in Wittenberg, which opened as a monument in 1892, at a time when the Reformation was viewed as a German-Prussian phenomenon. One of the last memorials to be built was that commemorating Katharina von Bora in Torgau, which dates from 1999. Taken together, the Reformation sites selected for the application for listing under the European Heritage Label scheme are of a European dimension, although the details still require some fine-tuning. They are genuine sites where events or radical changes unfolded which were milestones in the history of the Reformation. All of the sites are also of cultural and/or academic significance. Facilities for the public have been made available to an appropriate degree, and will continue to improve. The contact address for the ‘Sites of the Reformation’ network is Stiftung Luthergedenkstätten, Collegienstrasse 54, D-06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany. 4 European Heritage Label Sites of the Reformation in Germany Brief overview of the network 1) Baden-Württemberg • Bretten; Melanchthon’s House Memorial on the site of the home of the Reformer Philipp Melanchthon. The building was erected 106 years ago, and houses a museum and a research centre; it is also noted for its touring exhibitions. • Schwäbisch Hall; St. Michael’s Church It was in this church that the Reformer Johannes Brenz was a preacher; his work had a considerable impact throughout southwest Germany. 2) Bavaria • Augsburg with its Old Town, town hall, Fugger Houses and municipal library was where the Peace of Augsburg was signed in 1555. 3) Brandenburg • Mühlberg: site of the Battle of Mühlberg of 1547, which brought an end to the Schmalkaldic War. The museum in the provost’s residence at Güldenstein would like to address the battle more extensively in its displays. • Town of Jüterbog The selling of indulgences was especially big business in the town, which is why it is believed to have been the catalyst behind the nailing of the theses to the door in Wittenberg.

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