A unique town brimming with past and present significance Wittenberg is located on the River Elbe in the east of the German region of Saxony- Anhalt. The town is the administrative seat of the surrounding district of Wittenberg. It is world-famous thanks to its role as the cradle of the Reformation, when it became one of the spiritual and cultural centres of sixteenth-century Europe. In addition to Martin Luther, prominent figures such as Philipp Melanchthon, Johannes Bugenhagen, Justus Jonas and the Cranachs all shaped humanist intellectual life from Wittenberg, which was also a seat of power of the Electors of Saxony. Wittenberg is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites and situated in the natural and cultural landscape of the Middle Elbe. Being on the InterCity rail link between Munich and Berlin, Wittenberg can be reached in just 35 minutes from Berlin and 30 minutes from Leipzig. It is about an hour’s drive away from Leipzig/Halle Airport. A veritable centre of world culture During ‘Luther Decade’ culminating in 2017, the countdown towards the 500th anniversary of Luther’s posting of his Ninety-Five Theses against the sale of indulgences, Lutherstadt Wittenberg has become the focus of the Christian world and is attracting fans of art, culture and history. Every year there is a burst of high-profile events, including art exhibitions, musical performances, symposiums, historical celebrations and festivals. With four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the largest Reformation history museum in the world, and the unique natural and cultural landscape of the surrounding Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve, not to mention other UNESCO Heritage Sites nearby, Wittenberg has become a veritable centre of world culture. Four buildings in Wittenberg were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996: 1. On 31 October 1517, by nailing his Ninety-Five Theses to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg, Martin Luther ushered in the Reformation. The church houses the tombs of Luther and Melanchthon. 2. Luther House, where Martin Luther once lived, now contains the world’s largest museum dedicated to the history of the Reformation. 3. St Mary’s Church is the oldest building in Wittenberg. Martin Luther used to preach there, and it contains the Reformation altar designed by Lucas Cranach the Elder. 4. Melanchthon House is an architectural work of art where humanist and reformer Philipp Melanchthon once lived. Moreover, Wittenberg has far more than just history and world heritage to offer. The charming old town is a delightful place for a stroll or a rest in one of the cafés or restaurants. And the district around Wittenberg offers some gorgeous countryside with the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve, the Fläming region and the Dübener Heide national park all waiting to be explored. 2 Once the world was changed from Wittenberg – now the world meets in Wittenberg! Reformation Jubilee 2017 – 500th anniversary of the Reformation On 31 October 1517, Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses protesting against the abuse of selling indulgences to the door of Castle Church in Wittenberg. As well as far- reaching changes to the ecclesiastical world, he also launched a worldwide ‘reformation’ in politics, economics, science, theology, art and culture – and the social fabric is still reverberating to this day. Luther Decade comprises the last ten years leading up to the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s public protest, which will be celebrated throughout Germany and worldwide during the Reformation Jubilee in 2017. Wittenberg will be the central location of this anniversary as Martin Luther’s home, his final resting place, and the town where he nailed his theses to the church door. Nowadays, Wittenberg also contains the world’s biggest museum devoted to the history of the Reformation. Each year of Luther Decade represents a key aspect of the Reformation and is celebrated in Wittenberg with numerous events, exhibitions, congresses, and festivals of music and the arts. • 2008 Opening of the Luther Decade • 2009 Reformation and Commitment • 2010 Reformation and Education • 2011 Reformation and Freedom • 2013 Reformation and Tolerance • 2014 Reformation and Politics • 2015 Reformation – Pictures and Bible • 2016 Reformation and One World • 2017 Reformation Jubilee The start of the Reformation is celebrated every year in Lutherstadt Wittenberg on 31 October with one of the biggest and most beautiful festivals in Central Germany. Reformation Day activities include a historical market, several church services, one of the largest confirmation meetings, theatrical performances, public talks, religious debates, and enchanting concerts staged during the Renaissance Music Festival. 3 Facts and figures about Lutherstadt Wittenberg Geographical position • Longitude 12°39' E • Latitude 51°51' N • Highest point: 186m above sea level (Hirseberg hill) Climate • Long-term mean annual temperature: 8.6°C • Mean temperature in July: 18°C • Mean temperature in January: –0.5°C • Mean annual precipitation: 560mm • Average annual sunshine: 1630 hours • Mean altitude: 70m above sea level (town centre) Infrastructure Wittenberg is an important junction of three main roads: the B2 (Berlin–Potsdam–Leipzig), the B187 (Magdeburg–Dresden) and the B100 (Wittenberg–Halle). The A9 motorway (Berlin– Munich) can be reached via the B187, junction Coswig, about 15km away from Wittenberg. It’s also a railway junction serving the Berlin–Munich and Magdeburg–Dresden–Cottbus routes. The InterCity station offers fast connections to Berlin (about 35 minutes) and Leipzig (about 30 minutes). Area Wittenberg has an area of 240 square kilometres (January 2010), including 0.33 square kilometres in the historical town centre. It measures 20.0km at its widest point from east to west, and 21.7km from north to south. Population Figures correct as of 31 December 2013 Population 48,849 (first and second residence) Population 47,911 (first residence only) Female 25,260 Male 23,589 4 Economic vision and statistics Wittenberg is an economically well-established district providing businesses with ideal conditions for start-up, operation and expansion. Wittenberg’s thriving private sector is characterized by innovative enterprises in industry and agriculture as well as a growing service sector and healthcare segment organized predominantly as small and medium-sized enterprises. Key factors attracting businesses and investors include Wittenberg’s central location in the heart of Germany, its excellent infrastructure, and the substantial pool of skilled labour. Pillars of sustainable economic development The pillars of Wittenberg’s sustainable economic structure arise from its specific strengths and location factors. The task of local economic policy is to strengthen these pillars, promote complementary structures, and tap potential synergy. A centre of excellence for the chemical industry and environment engineering After the considerable loss of capacity, the small-scale structures have been stabilized by extensive investment over the past decade. The new arrivals and investments in recent years have introduced more momentum, the resulting synergy making Wittenberg even more attractive. The chemical industry’s high degree of local expertise and excellence make it a cornerstone for Wittenberg’s future economic structure. Innovation by medium-sized industry In the manufacturing sector, medium-sized companies are largely responsible for innovation and job creation. Apart from special vehicle manufacturing, steel construction and mechanical engineering, a number of smaller employers have been founded in other areas which provide high-tech services and look ripe for expansion. This diversity is of crucial importance for a sustainable economic structure. Research and education Wittenberg needs to harness the heritage of the Reformation in order to fuel communication, research and education such that cultural influence reconnects with economic dynamism. And it also requires independent R&D in the core economic areas. Endeavours in this regard are focused within the Campus Wittenberg project. Social infrastructure Wittenberg has the potential to expand and develop its particular expertise as a provider of regional infrastructure services. Institutions in the social services and healthcare (including the Paul Gerhard Foundation Hospital, Bosse Clinic, AWO Wittenberg, Augustinuswerk, and the Am Lerchenberg retirement and nursing home) are among Wittenberg’s largest private employers. Given demographic developments round about, the regional administration’s educational and cultural functions need to focus more on Wittenberg – and are ready for their future role. 5 Training, culture, tourism With its cultural heritage of global importance and its charming countryside, Wittenberg has the potential to attract even more tourists – and this is an economic factor which needs to be used more effectively. The infrastructure for meetings, training sessions and cultural events also needs to be improved. And the same goes for regional marketing in the industrial Garden Kingdom, the networking of hiking and cycling routes, and water tourism. Regional agriculture Wittenberg is situated in a fertile agricultural region with a long history of fruit and vegetable farming. The town itself is home to several medium-sized food manufacturers. Efforts must be redoubled to improve the integrated production and marketing of high-quality produce meeting high ecological standards under a regional label. Industrial culture – Piesteritz Agro-Chemical