Did you know? Great-grandfather Lutherstadt Wittenberg of the mobile phone 1610 Beer boots isn’t just famous for In 1833, Carl Friedrich Gauss teamed up with Wilhelm Michael Stifel, a priest and friend of Luther’s, proclaimed that the Weber to design and build the first electromagnetic telegraph. A medical first world would end on 19 October 1533. When his prediction failed Luther’s 95 Theses! Wilhelm Weber, one of the town’s most famous sons, was born at On 21 April 1610, barber Jeremias to materialise, people made fun of him in a drinking song. And Schlossstrasse 10. Trautmann performed the first since his surname meant ‘boot’, what better way to celebrate his Here’s a selection of some documented Caesarean section failed prophecy than to drink beer out of said footwear?! of the other surprising in history. stories and fascinating facts about the town. 973 The present-day territory of Lutherstadt Wittenberg first entered recorded history. 1915 Four In April the foundation stone The poisoner’s was laid in Wittenberg for what is today Germany’s largest producer of ammonia and urea. in a row Berlin or Leipzig? Thanks hand Lutherstadt Wittenberg The poisoner Susanne to the Intercity-Express Zimmermann killed two husbands rail link, you can enjoy a and three children, along with is the only place in a sister-in-law and nursemaid. relaxing breakfast in the the world with four* Even today, her mummified hand German capital, have lunch continues to scare young and old 30 alike at the Municipal Collections in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, 1938 UNESCO World (Staedtische Sammlungen). The town was officially renamed minutes and dance the night away in Lutherstadt Wittenberg. Heritage Sites on the Leipzig! same street. Do you speak The Luther Oak The Luther Oak stands at the 1502 Luther? southern end of Collegienstrasse at Expressions coined by Martin Luther have permeated the German language. Glutton Education for all Sayings like “to move a mountain” and “pride comes before a fall” have even the very spot where Martin Luther Jakob Kahle from Wittenberg ate anything he could The first university established by a territorial crept into English. Other more colourful ones are still used nowadays in burned the papal bull in 1520. lay his hands on, including glass, nails and firewood. lord rather than by the church was established German without a second thought, such as “fits like a fist on the eye” and “to When he died in 1753, his body was dissected in in Wittenberg in 1502. The reputation of the bite the sour apple” – which in English has evolved into “bite the bullet”. the university’s anatomical theatre. The resulting Leucorea surpassed that of all other universi- When it comes to expressing human characteristics, hardly anyone has man- dissertation was entitled ‘The glutton and omnivore of ties in Germany at the time. aged to “hit the nail on the head” as well as Luther (although that wasn’t Wittenberg’. one of his!). – 2 – – 3 – PUBLISHER BY Lutherstadt Wittenberg Marketing GmbH MANAGING DIRECTOR Johannes Winkelmann PROJECT MANAGER Franka List EDITORIAL TEAM Lutherstadt Wittenberg Marketing GmbH 1st revised edition 2017 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). 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 Castle Church © Investitions- und Marketinggesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt mbH, p. 17: Busts of Luther and Melanchthon © WelterbeRegion Anhalt-Dessau-Wittenberg e. V., Sarah Filz, p. 17 Asisi Panorama, interior photo © Tom Schulze, pp. 22–23: Interior photo © Shutterstock, p. 28: Aerial photo © SKW Stickstoffwerke Piesteritz GmbH, p. 30: Tomato© Shutterstock, p. 31: Tank trailer© Feldbinder Spezialfahrzeugwerke GmbH, p. 33: Masters’ Houses © Christoph Petras Aerial view of Lutherstadt Wittenberg 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 Wittenberg’s greatest conventions history has shaped the historical treasures Lutherstadt Wittenberg attitude to life here are on show at six muse- has always been a hub of ums and a panorama dialogue 8 18 28 A new spirit found Green town A region its home Lutherstadt Wittenberg like no other Lutherstadt Wittenberg is not just surrounded by Lutherstadt Wittenberg remains the cradle of a beautiful countryside – is the perfect base to In 1996, UNESCO simultaneously granted four locations in Lutherstadt new Protestant faith – to it’s also one of explore the World Wittenberg the title ‘World Heritage Site’. Largely undamaged during World the greenest towns in this day Heritage region War II, world history is able to live on in this Renaissance town at the homes Germany of Anhalt-Dessau- Wittenberg of Luther, Melanchthon and Cranach. 14 A spectacular year A world of wonders 22 Green light for Anyone looking from the direction of the Reformation in the 16th century. Since this In Lutherstadt Active and relaxing industry 34 Renaissance living famous Elbe meadows towards the silhouette time, life here has been shaped by an atmos- Wittenberg, life is recreation in the The history of the town Right at the centre of the town today will see the unchanged phere of tolerance and discourse. The town celebrated out on the Biosphere Reserve Anyone seeking a sometimes overshadows towers of Castle Church (Schlosskirche) is located at the heart of Germany, with streets stylish, affordable and the fact that important of things and Town Church (Stadtkirche). Both have excellent transport links to major cities such convenient place to live industries have located Firmly integrated will find a new home in here – and with great into the region’s shaped the townscape since Luther’s time as Berlin, Leipzig and Halle. Surrounded Lutherstadt Wittenberg success 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 Historical mile impact today. distinctive place to live. Thanks to a stable No chance to get Four UNESCO World 24 Conference and convention facilities have economy, a growing number of people are bored Heritage Sites can be been created in the historical walls. New finding training, job opportunities and found in close proximity A place of Culture is part and here education venues provide room for cultural events, career prospects here. Once the ‘Rome of the parcel of everyday life while new educational establishments North’, today it is a cultural and historical here Lutherstadt Wittenberg is a town of learning, satisfy the growing need for continuing and gem with great economic potential. Let this the origin of enlightened further education. Wittenberg retains the brochure guide you through our town – and thought character of a town of culture with histori- who knows, perhaps you’ll also be seduced cal 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, pleasant place to live. Fortunately, it survived World War II almost totally unscathed 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 guests of 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 major cities such as Berlin and Leipzig can a well-educated town in the best sense of be reached within half an hour thanks to the 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 Centrally located is the Arsenal, a shopping Biosphere Reserve’, with ancient trees and the many leisure opportunities: the Cranach mall which blends harmoniously into its old river arms to delight the eye. Back in the Courtyards, Stadthaus or Exerzierhalle town surroundings. Combined with the shops of the town centre, Lutherstadt Wittenberg offers town, there are many events for visitors as cultural centres with historical back- more than 325 shops as well as a diverse selection to enjoy: concerts, conventions,