Whenever someone speaks of The buildings in By 1519, ’s Nikolai Four years later, the new Elector I sleep extremely compos- Martin often preached in Even if I knew that tombstone we can see the image of Making a sad and , everyone thinks of Torgau are more Church was the scene of the John Frederick the Magnanimous, well, about 6 or 7 ed a motet for seven the town church of St. Mary’s, and tomorrow the world a self-confident, strong woman. despondent man , still many others think beautiful than any first baptism in the German who had succeeded his father John hours in a row, and voices for the consecra- altogether more than forty times would go to pieces, It is also worth visiting the house happy again, of Castle, but only sel- from ancient times, language. One year later, Ger- in 1532, passed an edict to protect later again 2 or 3 tion. As a close friend of of a stay in Torgau can be verified. I would still plant my Katharinenstrasse 11, where you this is more than to dom of Worms. Even Eisleben and even King Solomon’s man was first used in a Pro- the printing of the complete Bible in hours. I think it is Luther’s, he had already Thus the saying that “Wittenberg apple tree today. find a museum, which is comme- conquer a kingdom. Mansfeld, where the great Refor- temple was only built testant sermon. Wittenberg. He then gave orders to because of the beer, edited the first new song was the Mother of and morating the wife of the great Re- mer was born and where he died, of wood. enlarge Torgau Castle and to build a but I am as sober as book in 1524. Walter Torgau was its wet-nurse” seems Martin Luther former. Martin Luther are sometimes almost forgotten. The Saxon Elector Frederick splendid and imposing Residential in Wittenberg. was a member of the to be correct. And what about Torgau? Few Martin Luther the Wise, who was born in Palace. Electoral Music Group of The historic town centre with its churches, the castle, the 16th people today realize that this town Torgau, did not profess to the M. Luther in Torgau Frederick the Wise. Later In 1552 - Martin Luther had died six years before – the plague century town hall in the large market square and many beautiful on February 27th, 1532 on the was once the political centre of Luther’s Reformation. Lutheran doctrine, but saved On October 5th, 1544, Martin he became a teacher at broke out in Wittenberg. Katharina fled with her youngest children old affluent houses may still give tourists the illusion of strolling the Reformer, who had been Luther himself consecrated the the school in Torgau and to Torgau where the University had already been relocated. On through a town. Old Nikolai Church Torgau, once the preferred residential city of the Saxon Electors, has banned, by secretly taking Palace Chapel in Torgau, the first Protestant church building. Its began to build up the the way, near Torgau, there was a thunderstorm, the horses shied preserved much of the splendour of the former Saxon metropolis. him to Wartburg Castle. The architecture illustrates the new theories of Protestantism still Torgau Church Choir. and Katharina had a severe accident. She eventually found shel- Today, there are numerous options for tourists to imagine history council and citizens of Torgau hailed Luther for his brave appear- incorporated to this Town Church of St. Mary’s ter in Torgau but never in an interesting and quite enjoyable way. On sightseeing tours, in Torgau was first men- ance at the Reichstag in Worms after he had returned to Witten- day. The pulpit has Torgau’s school, under fully recovered from lectures and music, or with meals and drinks, you can appreciate tioned in an imperial do- berg. the central position in its headmaster Marcus Crodel, had a very good reputation. Even her sickness. However, the best of the ‘good old times’. cument over 1,000 years the room, God’s own Luther and Melanchthon sent their eldest sons here. in the following three ago. The word ‘Torgowe’ In 1526, the Elector of and the Landgrave of Hesse formed word is the centre. months she still lived to is of Slavonic origin, the Torgau Alliance in order to defend their territories against The relief motifs on The tradition of Protestant church music is being maintained by see the engagement of meaning ‘market’. Im- followers of the established Catholic faith. the pulpit and the the Johann Walter Choir in Torgau. The many high-quality con- her son Paul to Anna von portant old trade routes colouring of the room certs throughout the year, as well as the annual Week of Church Warbeck, daughter of a passed here where a ford Luther also formulated visitation guidelines, published as “Lessons date back to Lucas Music, held in June, are attractive events for the citizens of the wealthy Torgau citizen, had made it possible for for visitations in parishes of Electoral Saxony”. Later he appointed Cranach the Elder. town and its visitors. and then, on December merchants to cross the , called Didymus, as the first superintendent for Above the altar, which For Luther’s wife Katharina, Torgau did not only mean the last 17th, the eighteenth Elbe River before bridges the Torgau district. resembles the table phase of her life, it was also the first step on her way to secu- birthday of her youngest were built. Trade helped for Holy Supper, the lar life. At Easter 1523, the Torgau councillor Leonhard Koppe, daughter, Margarethe. to strengthen the econo- In 1530, Luther, Melanchthon, Jonas, and Bugenhagen wrote the organ is placed most Luther’s friend, helped twelve to escape from the convent my, and the middle class Torgau Articles, the basis of the Confessio Augustana. The Elector prominently, showing in Nimbschen near Grimma. Two years later, when Koppe was in- On December 20th, 1552, developed in the city. John the Steadfast, accompanied by Melanchthon, then travelled clearly the great im- vited to the wedding ceremony in Wittenberg, he brought a barrel she died and was buried Martin Luther’s new ideas to the Reichstag in Augsburg, while Martin Luther - still banned - portance of church of the renowned Torgau beer. Martin Luther liked this brew very in St. Mary’s Church. Castle Church Hartenfels Castle and Grand Spiral Staircase fell on fertile ground. had to stay behind at the fortress of Coburg, where he was safe. music. much, as can be seen in many of his letters. Tombstone of Katharina Luther On the impressive View of Torgau from the eastern bank of the Elbe

1483 On November 10th, Martin Luther is born in Eisleben. 1519 The first baptism in the German language takes place twelve nuns - among them - The book is printed in Wittenberg. 1529 Martin Luther comes to Torgau for the first school and Chapel in Torgau, the first new Protestant church

1491 In March, Martin Luther starts school. in Torgau’s Nikolai Church. escape from their convent at Easter. 1525 Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora. church visitation. building. 1499 On January 29th, Katharina von Bora is born. 1520 A Protestant sermon is held in German at Nikolai Via Torgau, nine of them arrive at Wittenberg and 1526 Protestant Dukes form the Torgau Alliance in order 1530 Luther, Melanchthon, Jonas and Bugenhagen write the 1546 Martin Luther dies in Eisleben on February 18th. 1505 On June 17th, Luther enters the Augustine Convent Church in Torgau. find shelter there. to defend their faith. Torgau Articles as the basis of the Confessio Augustana The following years are hard for his widow. in Erfurt. 1521 Martin Luther preaches for the first time in Torgau. 1523 Gabriel Zwilling, called Didymus, works as a preacher 1527 Under Martin Luther’s leadership, Protestant visitation in the house of the superintendent. 1552 Katharina Luther escapes from the plague in 1509 Katharina lives in the Convent in Nimbschen. 1521 At the Imperial Luther withstands and in Torgau. guidelines are worked out in the parish building 1534 Elector John Frederick the Magnanimous signs an edict Wittenberg and finds shelter in Torgau. 1515 On October 8th, Katharina becomes a . does not recant. After the visitation of 1529 he becomes the first opposite St. Mary’s Church. They are signed by Elector to protect the printing of the Holy Bible in Wittenberg. She dies on December 20th and is buried in 1517 On October 31st, Martin Luther nails 95 theses 1523 Luther is hailed for his brave appearance in Worms. Church Superintendent. John the Steadfast on May 16th. 1542 Luther’s son Johannes is sent to the Latin School in St. Mary’s Church. concerning indulgence on the portal of Castle Church He is supported by the citizens of our region. 1524 Johann Walter, choir leader in Torgau, has composed 1528 The Torgau visitation guidelines are published as Torgau. in Wittenberg. 1523 Supported by the Torgau councillor Leonhard Koppe, Protestant songs and hymns together with Martin Luther. “Lessons for visitations in parishes of Electoral Saxony“. 1544 On October 5th, Martin Luther consecrates the Castle

Torgau can also be the place of a Music is one of the Here Tsar Peter the Great met the Kathy, why do you lights alternated with darker, even shameful events. During GDR very special musical experience if most beautiful and German philosopher Leibniz. always have to take times, Torgau was the site of an infamous youth prison. Yet, the you attend one of the many public glorious gifts of God, Samuel Hahnemann, the founder the last word, town was also one of the rare examples of careful restoration of concerts here or book a private with it you can drive of homeopathy, wrote his principle even if it is my own? a town centre, the preservation of historical monuments started organ performance for yourself and out any temptation work, Napoleon ordered to convert here as early as in 1973. Martin Luther your guests. and bad thoughts. our town to a fortress in 1811. After the Congress of Vienna, both the Torgau offers various guided tours for tourists; museums, churches, Experience and knowledge of a Martin Luther town and the whole territory was annexed to . exhibitions etc. are open for visits by individuals or groups. The in- very different kind can be found in During World War II, the town was not destroyed by air raids. terested visitor can find a lot of material at our Information Centre the old Church Superintendent’s building, just next to the town In 1943 however, when the German Supreme War Court was in the town hall. Come here and discover all this for yourself! church. “Roots & Wings - Perspectives of Life” is the title of a multi- moved to Torgau, a growing number of people were imprisoned media exhibition for young people and also adults looking at and executed here. values in our own time. This motto refers to a word by the great German poet J. W. Goethe, who said that children should receive On April 25th, 1945, the name of the town appeared in many two things from their parents – roots and wings. On your Luther news headlines worldwide, as it was here where US Americans P DB 22 Schiffs- Journey you can leave your own traces by copying a part of the and their Soviet Allies had anlege- Town Museum in the former Electoral Chancellery P P Holy Bible. This hand- linked up. The Spirit of the stelle P Torgau-Informations-Center written copy is expected In these houses, which have been beautifully restored, you will Elbe, as it was later called, 6 Elbe to be finished by 2017. see unique treasures preserved over centuries. marked the approaching 21 5 7 Markt 1, D-04860 Torgau / end of the war. But the Cold 20 8 10 19 9 The town has three his- The Museum of Local Culture and History in the former Electoral War followed soon, and this Schloss 11 Phone (from abroad): 0049- 3421 – 7014-0 4 Rathaus 13 12 (from inside Germany): 03421-7014-0 toric chimes from the Chancellery shows precious objects like the altar plate of St. part of Germany became 1 16 14 Gothic, Renaissance, and Nicholas of Bari, painted by the famous Cranach Workshop in part of the Eastern bloc. In 17 Fax: (from abroad): 0049-3421-701415 2 3 Baroque times. The bells 1515 and only recently rediscovered. 1989/90, after the Wall had 18 (from inside Germany): 03421-701415 can be heard every day come down, people began to

P 3 www.torgauinfo.de e-mail: [email protected] at noon and at six p.m. In Mayor Ringenhain’s House, you will find impressive evidence of celebrate the anniversary of B18 B87/ how wealthy citizens lived here around 1600. The Angels’ Room, the famous handshake with The Torgau Museum Trail the original portals and the painted coffered ceilings in the two the annual Festival. P 15

Rostock offers the opportunity to hallways as well as the furnishings are of the highest quality. A7 Elbe Cycle Track Hamburg enter some of the old Renaissance and Reformation have greatly shaped Torgau; they This little town on the Elbe Important sights Aquavita Swimming Baths A24 buildings and come into marked the brilliant era in Torgau’s one-thousand year-old history. has often experienced good Johann Walter Choir in St. Mary’s Church Sightseeing in Torgau Riesa Museums / exhibitions Culture Centre “Old Ramparts” close contact with history. But time never stops. and bad times. Positive high- A1 ELBE Martin Luther, Hannover Berlin

A2 A13 Wittenberg

A7 A9 Mansfeld Halle Torgau Köln Eisleben B 87 Grimma A13 A38 During the Luther-Decade Festival Week of Protestant Church Music in June Programmes for tourist groups (in English): his wife Katharina 1 former Nikolai Church 12 Lapidary Museum A9 A14 Dresden Eisenach A4 up to the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in 2017there will Organ Summer in Torgau Package tour (5 days): 2 former house of L. Koppe 13 Exhibition "Torgau – a Renaissance court" A3 Erfurt A5 Schmalkalden be various events, especially concerts and exhibitions. One more An individual little organ concert A journey to Martin Luther - 3 former Franciscan Monastery 14 Castle Tower with observation platform A73 Coburg Map of reason for a visit here, seemingly in Martin Luther’s footsteps. Torgau – the political centre of the Reformation 4 Katharina Luther Museum 15 former youth prison (exhibition) and the Reformation in Torgau A3 Worms Germany Guided tours daily! Stroll through the town centre. 5 “Roots & Wings”, house of the superintendent 16 Soldiers on the Elbe (exhibition) Nürnberg Guided walks (1 to 3 hours): Speyer Protestant Church Service: In German: Monday – Friday from 2 to 3 p.m., 6 Protestant Town Church of St. Mary’s 17 Little gallery Sundays at 10 a.m., Town Church of St. Mary’s - Martin Luther, Katharina von Bora, and the Reformation 7 Museum of the town (Old Electoral Chancellery) 18 Museum: Brewery Wolff Giersing A3 but in the summer season (May – September) from 6 to 7 p.m. A9 in Torgau Stuttgart (from end of October till May in the Castle Church) 8 former Latin School 19 Catholic Church Mater Dolorosa Augsburg A5 A8 - Katharina von Bora and the role of women in the Renaissance 9 Protestant Castle Church 20 Museum: Mayor Ringenhain House München Saturday, Sunday or on a public Holiday from 4 to 5 p.m. Roman Catholic Mass: - The beer, which Martin Luther liked 10 Monument of the Link-up on the Elbe 21 Hahnemann House (Homeopathy lectures)

Imprint: Editor "Torgauer Tourismus- und Bäder GmbH", Photos: J. Schöner, W. Sens, B. Blume, P. Melzig, Translation: H. Schedina, Printing and layout: Druckerei Kopielski Torgau Druckerei Kopielski Printing and layout: Schedina, H. Translation: Melzig, P. Blume, B. Sens, W. Schöner, J. Photos: und Bäder GmbH", Tourismus- Editor "Torgauer Imprint: Sundays at 10 a.m., Catholic Church Mater Dolorosa In English: by appointment (Please, phone our office). - Good food and beverages, just as in Martin Luther’s time 11 DIZ (Traces of Injustice) 22 Museum: (Spirit of GDR times)