Wittenberg ( , ;
Low Saxon: ''Wittenbarg''; meaning ''White Mountain''; officially Lutherstadt Wittenberg (''Luther City Wittenberg'')), is the fourth largest town in
Saxony-Anhalt
Saxony-Anhalt (german: Sachsen-Anhalt ; nds, Sassen-Anholt) is a state of Germany, bordering the states of Brandenburg, Saxony, Thuringia and Lower Saxony. It covers an area of
and has a population of 2.18 million inhabitants, making it the ...
,
Germany
Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG),, is a country in Central Europe. It is the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany lies between the Baltic and North Sea to the north and the Alps to the sou ...
. Wittenberg is situated on the
River Elbe
The Elbe (; cs, Labe ; nds, Ilv or ''Elv''; Upper Sorbian, Upper and dsb, Łobjo) is one of the major rivers of Central Europe. It rises in the Giant Mountains of the northern Czech Republic before traversing much of Bohemia (western half of ...
, north of
Leipzig
Leipzig ( , ; Upper Saxon: ) is the most populous city in the German state of Saxony. Leipzig's population of 605,407 inhabitants (1.1 million in the larger urban zone) as of 2021 places the city as Germany's eighth most populous, as ...
and south-west of
Berlin
Berlin is Capital of Germany, the capital and largest city of Germany, both by area and List of cities in Germany by population, by population. Its more than 3.85 million inhabitants make it the European Union's List of cities in the European U ...
, and has a population of 46,008 (2018).
Wittenberg is famous for its close connection with
Martin Luther
Martin Luther (; ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, and professor, and Augustinian friar. He is the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation and the namesake of Luther ...
and the Protestant
Reformation
The Reformation (alternatively named the Protestant Reformation or the European Reformation) was a major movement within Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe that posed a religious and political challenge to the Catholic Church and i ...
, for which it received the honourific ''
Lutherstadt''. Several of Wittenberg's buildings are associated with the events, including a preserved part of the
Augustinian monastery
A monastery is a building or complex of buildings comprising the domestic quarters and workplaces of monastics, monks or nuns, whether living in communities or alone ( hermits). A monastery generally includes a place reserved for prayer whic ...
in which Luther lived, first as a monk and later as owner with his wife
Katharina von Bora
Katharina von Bora (; 29 January 1499 – 20 December 1552), after her wedding Katharina Luther, also referred to as "die Lutherin" ("the Lutheress"), was the wife of Martin Luther, German reformer and a seminal figure of the Protestant Reformat ...
and family, considered to be the world's premier
museum
A museum ( ; plural museums or, rarely, musea) is a building or institution that cares for and displays a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical
History (derived ) is the systematic study and th ...
dedicated to Luther. Wittenberg was also the seat of the
Elector of Saxony
The Electorate of Saxony, also known as Electoral Saxony (German: or ), was a territory of the Holy Roman Empire from 1356–1806. It was centered around the cities of Dresden, Leipzig and Chemnitz.
In the Golden Bull of 1356, Emperor Charles ...
, a dignity held by the dukes of
Saxe-Wittenberg, making it one of the most powerful cities in the
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a political entity in Western, Central, and Southern Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages and continued until its dissolution in 1806 during the Napoleonic Wars.
From the accession of Otto I in 962 ...
.
Today, Wittenberg is an industrial centre and popular tourist destination, best known for its intact historic center and various memorial sites dedicated to Martin Luther and
Philip Melanchthon
Philip Melanchthon. (born Philipp Schwartzerdt; 16 February 1497 – 19 April 1560) was a German Lutheran Protestant Reformers, reformer, collaborator with Martin Luther, the first systematic theologian of the Protestant Reformation, intellect ...
. The buildings associated with those two figures were added to the
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. I ...
World Heritage
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area with legal protection by an international convention administered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). World Heritage Sites are designated by UNESCO for h ...
list in 1996, along with other sites in
Eisleben
Eisleben is a town in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is famous as both the hometown of the influential theologian Martin Luther and the place where he died; hence, its official name is Lutherstadt Eisleben. First mentioned in the late 10th century, ...
, because of their religious significance and testimony to one of the most influential movements of medieval Europe.
History

Historical documents first mention the settlement in 1180 as a small village founded by
Flemish
Flemish (''Vlaams'') is a Low Franconian dialect cluster of the Dutch language. It is sometimes referred to as Flemish Dutch (), Belgian Dutch ( ), or Southern Dutch (). Flemish is native to Flanders, a historical region in northern Belgium ...
colonists under the rule of the
House of Ascania
The House of Ascania (german: Askanier) was a dynasty of German rulers. It is also known as the House of Anhalt, which refers to its longest-held possession, Anhalt.
The Ascanians are named after Ascania (or Ascaria) Castle, known as ''Schlos ...
. In 1260 this village became the residence of the dukes of
Saxe-Wittenberg, and in 1293 the settlement was granted its
town charter
A city charter or town charter (generically, municipal charter) is a legal document ('' charter'') establishing a municipality such as a city or town. The concept developed in Europe during the Middle Ages.
Traditionally the granting of a charter ...
as a free-standing town.
Wittenberg developed into an important trade centre during the following several centuries, because of its central location. When the local branch of the Ascanians died out in 1422, control of Saxe-Wittenberg passed to the
House of Wettin
The House of Wettin () is a dynasty of Germany, German monarch, kings, Prince Elector, prince-electors, dukes, and counts that once ruled territories in the present-day German states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. The dynasty is one of ...
. This town became an important regional political and cultural centre at the end of the 15th century, when
Frederick III "the Wise", the Elector of Saxony from 1486 to 1525, made his residence in Wittenberg. Several parts of boundaries of the town were extended soon afterward. The second bridge over the
Elbe River
The Elbe (; cs, Labe ; nds, Ilv or ''Elv''; Upper and dsb, Łobjo) is one of the major rivers of Central Europe. It rises in the Giant Mountains of the northern Czech Republic before traversing much of Bohemia (western half of the Czech Repub ...
was built from 1487 through 1490 and the castle church (the ''Schlosskirche'' in German) was erected from 1496 through 1506. The Elector's palace was rebuilt at the same time.
In 1502 Elector Frederick founded the
University of Wittenberg
Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg (german: Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg), also referred to as MLU, is a public, research-oriented university in the cities of Halle and Wittenberg and the largest and oldest university in ...
, which attracted some important thinkers, such as
Martin Luther
Martin Luther (; ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, and professor, and Augustinian friar. He is the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation and the namesake of Luther ...
—a professor of theology beginning in 1508—and
Philipp Melanchthon
Philip Melanchthon. (born Philipp Schwartzerdt; 16 February 1497 – 19 April 1560) was a German Lutheran reformer, collaborator with Martin Luther, the first systematic theologian of the Protestant Reformation, intellectual leader of the L ...
—a professor of Greek starting in 1518.
On 31 October 1517, according to legend, Luther nailed his
95 theses against the selling of
indulgence
In the teaching of the Catholic Church, an indulgence (, from , 'permit') is "a way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for sins". The ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' describes an indulgence as "a remission before God of ...
s at the door of the
All Saints', the Castle Church – an event taken as marking the beginning of the Protestant
Reformation
The Reformation (alternatively named the Protestant Reformation or the European Reformation) was a major movement within Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe that posed a religious and political challenge to the Catholic Church and i ...
. The
Anabaptist
Anabaptism (from Neo-Latin , from the Greek : 're-' and 'baptism', german: Täufer, earlier also )Since the middle of the 20th century, the German-speaking world no longer uses the term (translation: "Re-baptizers"), considering it biased. ...
movement had one of its earliest homes in Wittenberg, when the
Zwickau prophets moved there in late 1521, only to be suppressed by Luther when he returned from the
Wartburg
The Wartburg () is a castle originally built in the Middle Ages. It is situated on a precipice of to the southwest of and overlooking the town of Eisenach, in the state of Thuringia, Germany. It was the home of St. Elisabeth of Hungary, the ...
in spring 1522.
The
Capitulation of Wittenberg (1547) is the name given to the treaty by which
John Frederick the Magnanimous was compelled to resign the electoral dignity and most of his territory to the Albertine branch of the
House of Wettin
The House of Wettin () is a dynasty of Germany, German monarch, kings, Prince Elector, prince-electors, dukes, and counts that once ruled territories in the present-day German states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. The dynasty is one of ...
.
In 1760, during the
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War (1756–1763) was a global conflict that involved most of the European Great Powers, and was fought primarily in Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. Other concurrent conflicts include the French and Indian War (1754– ...
, the
Austrians
, pop = 8–8.5 million
, regions = 7,427,759
, region1 =
, pop1 = 684,184
, ref1 =
, region2 =
, pop2 = 345,620
, ref2 =
, region3 =
, pop3 = 197,990
, ref3 ...
bombarded the
Prussian
Prussia, , Old Prussian: ''Prūsa'' or ''Prūsija'' was a German state on the southeast coast of the Baltic Sea. It formed the German Empire under Prussian rule when it united the German states in 1871. It was ''de facto'' dissolved by an ...
-occupied town. The
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
took control in 1806, and
Napoleon commanded the refortification of the town in 1813. In 1814 the
Prussian Army
The Royal Prussian Army (1701–1919, german: Königlich Preußische Armee) served as the army of the Kingdom of Prussia. It became vital to the development of Brandenburg-Prussia as a European power.
The Prussian Army had its roots in the co ...
under
Tauentzien stormed Wittenberg; he received the title of "von Wittenberg" as a reward. In 1815 Wittenberg became part of
Prussia
Prussia, , Old Prussian: ''Prūsa'' or ''Prūsija'' was a German state on the southeast coast of the Baltic Sea. It formed the German Empire under Prussian rule when it united the German states in 1871. It was ''de facto'' dissolved by an ...
, administered within the
Province of Saxony
The Province of Saxony (german: link=no, Provinz Sachsen), also known as Prussian Saxony () was a province of the Kingdom of Prussia and later the Free State of Prussia from 1816 until 1944. Its capital was Magdeburg.
It was formed by the merge ...
. Wittenberg continued to be a fortress of the third class until the reorganisation of German defences after the foundation of the new
German Empire led to its dismantling in 1873.
It contained a prisoner of war camp from 1914 to 1918. A camp 10½ acres in area was set up at Klein Wittenberg, 2 miles from the city. Eight compounds held 13,000 men. During the typhus epidemic of 1914–1915, conditions were harsh. The camp medical officer, Dr. Aschenbach, was awarded the Iron Cross for his part in the epidemic. The award was questioned by the Allies.
The use of dogs to attack POW's was criticised by American Ambassador
James W. Gerard in his book "Four Years in Germany".
Unlike many other historic German cities during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...
, Wittenberg's town centre was spared destruction during the conflict. The
Allies agreed not to bomb Wittenberg, though fighting took place in the town, with bullet pock-marks visible on the statues of Luther and Melanchthon at the market square – or so the popular version of the town's history goes. In actuality, the Luther statue was not even present in the town square during much of the war, but in storage at Luther Brunnen, a roadhouse a few kilometres north of the town.
Wittenberg's reputation as a town protected from Allied bombing is largely accurate. However, just outside Wittenberg the government had built the ''
Arado Flugzeugwerke
Arado Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer, originally established as the Warnemünde factory of the Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen firm, that produced land-based military aircraft and seaplanes during the First and Second World Wars.
Hi ...
'' (the Arado Aircraft Factory), which produced components of airplanes for the
Luftwaffe
The ''Luftwaffe'' () was the aerial-warfare branch of the German '' Wehrmacht'' before and during World War II. Germany's military air arms during World War I, the '' Luftstreitkräfte'' of the Imperial Army and the '' Marine-Fliegerabt ...
. This war factory was worked by
Jew
Jews ( he, יְהוּדִים, , ) or Jewish people are an ethnoreligious group and nation originating from the Israelites Israelite origins and kingdom: "The first act in the long drama of Jewish history is the age of the Israelites""T ...
s, Russians, Poles,
political prisoner
A political prisoner is someone imprisoned for their politics, political activity. The political offense is not always the official reason for the prisoner's detention.
There is no internationally recognized legal definition of the concept, al ...
s and even a few Americans—all prisoners engaging in
forced labour, including POW's who were supposed to be exempt from this sort of labor. American and British planes bombed the factory near the end of the war, and in destroying it killed over one thousand of the prisoners and POW's placed by the Germans in this war plant. The 1995 publication of ''"...und morgen war Krieg!"'' by Renate Gruber-Lieblich
attempts to document this tragic bombing outside Wittenberg.
In 1945, Wittenberg issued 19 of its own postage stamps, each depicting Hitler but with a large black round overprint covering his face. At the end of the war,
Soviet forces occupied Wittenberg; it became part of
East Germany
East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR; german: Deutsche Demokratische Republik, , DDR, ), was a country that existed from its creation on 7 October 1949 until its dissolution on 3 October 1990. In these years the state ...
in 1949. During the East German period, it formed part of
Halle District
The Bezirk Halle was a district (''Bezirk'') of East Germany. The administrative seat and the main town was Halle.
History
The district was established, with the other 13, on 25 July 1952, substituting the old German states. After 3 October 1990 ...
. By means of the
peaceful revolution
The Peaceful Revolution (german: Friedliche Revolution), as a part of the Revolutions of 1989, was the process of sociopolitical change that led to the opening of East Germany's borders with the West, the end of the ruling of the Socialist Unity ...
in 1989, the communist régime dissolved and the town has been governed democratically since 1990.
Wittenberg is currently characterized by renovation and new construction work, an economic recovery and tourism development as a "place of pilgrimage for the Reformation". With the Luther Decade starting in 2008, the city began preparing for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, which took place in 2017. Numerous buildings have been restored, the infrastructure has been partially renewed and numerous new attractions have been created in the city (e.g. the new
Lutherstadt Wittenberg Hauptbahnhof, Arsenal shopping centre, Luthergarden or the Panometer) .
In 2014 Lutherstadt Wittenberg was awarded the honorary title
European City of the Reformation
European City of the Reformation (German: ''Reformationsstadt Europas'' French: ''Cité européenne de la Réforme'') is a honorific title bestowed upon European cities and towns which played an important role during the history of the Reformatio ...
by the
Community of Protestant Churches in Europe
The Communion of Protestant Churches in Europe (CPCE, also GEKE for ''Gemeinschaft Evangelischer Kirchen in Europa'') is a fellowship of over 100 Protestant churches which have signed the Leuenberg Agreement. Together they strive for realizing c ...
.
Historical population
The figures are given for the metropolitan district at the point in time. Up to 1791 the figures are generally estimated, later figures are from census or local authorities.

from 2012 census.
Divisions
The town Wittenberg consists of Wittenberg proper and the following ''Ortschaften'' or municipal divisions:
[Hauptsatzung der Lutherstadt Wittenberg]
§ 17, 16 December 2020.
*
Abtsdorf
Abtsdorf is a village and a former municipality in the Wittenberg district of Saxony-Anhalt in Germany. Since 1 January 2009, it has been part of the town of Wittenberg.
Transport
On the community's southern edge lies the Zörnigall railway sta ...
* Apollensdorf
*
Boßdorf
*
Griebo
Griebo is a former municipality in the district of Wittenberg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since January 2008, it is part of the town Wittenberg
Wittenberg ( , ; Low Saxon: ''Wittenbarg''; meaning ''White Mountain''; officially Lutherstadt Witt ...
*
Kropstädt
*
Mochau
* Nudersdorf
* Pratau
* Reinsdorf
* Schmilkendorf
* Seegrehna
*
Straach
Straach is a village and a former municipality in Wittenberg district in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Since 1 January 2010, it is part of the town Wittenberg.
Geography
Straach lies about 9 km east of Lutherstadt Wittenberg.
Economy and transp ...
Sights and culture
Lutherstadt Wittenberg has a wide range of cultural sites. Most are located within the historic old town along the ''Wittenberg Culture Mile''.

Wittenberg is home to numerous historical sites, as well as portraits and other paintings by
Lucas Cranach the Elder and
Younger
Younger or Youngers may refer to:
People
* Younger (surname)
* List of people known as the Elder or the Younger
Arts and entertainment
* ''Younger'', an American novel by Pamela Redmond Satran
** ''Younger'' (TV series), an American sitcom base ...
. On the doors of
All Saints' Church, the ''Schlosskirche'' ("castle church", built in 1496–1506)
Martin Luther
Martin Luther (; ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, and professor, and Augustinian friar. He is the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation and the namesake of Luther ...
is said to have nailed his
95 theses in 1517. It was seriously damaged by fire in 1760 during a bombardment by the French during the
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War (1756–1763) was a global conflict that involved most of the European Great Powers, and was fought primarily in Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. Other concurrent conflicts include the French and Indian War (1754– ...
, was practically rebuilt, and was later (1885–1892) restored. The wooden doors, burnt in 1760, were replaced in 1858 by bronze doors, bearing the
Latin
Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power ...
text of the theses. Inside the church are the tombs of
Martin Luther
Martin Luther (; ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, and professor, and Augustinian friar. He is the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation and the namesake of Luther ...
,
Philipp Melanchthon
Philip Melanchthon. (born Philipp Schwartzerdt; 16 February 1497 – 19 April 1560) was a German Lutheran reformer, collaborator with Martin Luther, the first systematic theologian of the Protestant Reformation, intellectual leader of the L ...
,
Johannes Bugenhagen,
Paul Eber and of the electors
Frederick the Wise
Frederick III (17 January 1463 – 5 May 1525), also known as Frederick the Wise (German ''Friedrich der Weise''), was Elector of Saxony from 1486 to 1525, who is mostly remembered for the worldly protection of his subject Martin Luther.
Freder ...
(by
Peter Vischer the Younger, 1527) and
John the Constant
Johann (30 June 146816 August 1532), known as Johann the Steadfast or Johann the Constant (''Johann, der Beständige''), was Elector of Saxony from 1525 until 1532 from the House of Wettin.
He is notable for organising the Lutheran Church in th ...
(by
Hans Vischer), and portraits of the reformers by Lucas Cranach the Younger, who is also buried in the church.
St. Mary's Church, the parish church in which Luther often preached, was built in the 14th century, but has been much altered since Luther's time. It contains a painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder, representing the
Last Supper
Image:The Last Supper - Leonardo Da Vinci - High Resolution 32x16.jpg, 400px, alt=''The Last Supper'' by Leonardo da Vinci - Clickable Image, Depictions of the Last Supper in Christian art have been undertaken by artistic masters for centuries, ...
(with the faces of Luther and other reformers), Baptism and Confession, also a font by
Hermann Vischer the Elder (1457). In addition, there are numerous historic paintings in the church.
The ancient electoral palace is another of the buildings that suffered severely in 1760; it now contains archives.
Martin Luther's home, the
Lutherhaus
The Lutherhaus is a writer's house museum in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany. Originally built in 1504 as part of the University of Wittenberg, the building was the home of Martin Luther for most of his adult life and a significant location in th ...
, where he studied and lived both before and after the Reformation, is now a museum containing many artifacts from his life. Melanchthon's house and the house of Lucas Cranach the Elder, mayor of Wittenberg, can also be found here. Statues of Luther (by Schadow), Melanchthon and Bugenhagen embellish the town. The spot outside the Elster Gate where Luther publicly burned the
papal bull in 1520 is marked by an oak tree.
The original
Wittenberg University
Wittenberg University is a private liberal arts college in Springfield, Ohio. It has 1,326 full-time students representing 33 states and 9 foreign countries. Wittenberg University is associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
...
quadrangle also lies in the city centre.
Buildings
Churches
= Schlosskirche
=
One of the town's main attractions is the Schlosskirche (Castle Church), most notably associated with the publication of
Martin Luther
Martin Luther (; ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, and professor, and Augustinian friar. He is the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation and the namesake of Luther ...
's
95 Theses, a bold attack on the Roman Catholic Church's practice of indulgences. The castle church was remodelled between 1883 and 1892. According to the intentions of the builders, the world-historical significance of the castle church was to be expressed. In the spirit of the
historicism
Historicism is an approach to explaining the existence of phenomena, especially social and cultural practices (including ideas and beliefs), by studying their history, that is, by studying the process by which they came about. The term is widely ...
period, the statement was related to the precursors and bearers of the Reformation, thus creating a Reformation memorial. On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the posting of the theses in 2017, the church was extensively renovated.
=
Stadtkirche Wittenberg
The Stadt- und Pfarrkirche St. Marien zu Wittenberg (Town and Parish Church of St. Mary's) is the civic church of the German town of Lutherstadt Wittenberg. The reformers Martin Luther and Johannes Bugenhagen preached there and the building a ...
=
St. Mary's Town Church and Parish Church is the mother church of the Reformation. The first Protestant service was held in it in 1521 by
Justus Jonas the Elder
Justus (died on 10 November between 627 and 631) was the fourth Archbishop of Canterbury. He was sent from Italy to England by Pope Gregory the Great, on a mission to Christianize the Anglo-Saxons from their native paganism, probably arriv ...
and
Andreas Bodenstein
Andreas Rudolph Bodenstein von Karlstadt (148624 December 1541), better known as Andreas Karlstadt or Andreas Carlstadt or Karolostadt, or simply as Andreas Bodenstein, was a German Protestant theologian, University of Wittenberg chancellor, a c ...
of Karlstadt. As Martin Luther's preaching church, it was the
Reformation
The Reformation (alternatively named the Protestant Reformation or the European Reformation) was a major movement within Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe that posed a religious and political challenge to the Catholic Church and i ...
official church of the general superintendents of the Saxon
Kurkreis
The Electoral Circle (german: Kurkreis), which was renamed in 1807 as the Wittenberg Circle (), was a historical territory that mostly emerged from the heartlands of the former Duchy of Saxe-Wittenberg. The circle (or district) was created in the ...
. After the
Congress of Vienna
The Congress of Vienna (, ) of 1814–1815 was a series of international diplomatic meetings to discuss and agree upon a possible new layout of the European political and constitutional order after the downfall of the French Emperor Napoleon B ...
it became the official residence of the Wittenberg superintendents. The artistic decoration is well preserved and includes works by
Lucas Cranach the Elder and
Lucas Cranach the Younger
Lucas Cranach the Younger (german: Lucas Cranach der Jüngere ; October 4, 1515 – January 25, 1586) was a German Renaissance painter and portraitist, the son of Lucas Cranach the Elder and brother of Hans Cranach.
Life and career
Lucas Cranach ...
. Epitaphs on the interior and exterior walls refer to the work of many important personalities. The cemetery chapel of the Holy Corpse stands to the south of the town church and once belonged to the walled cemetery area of the church.
= Unbefleckte Empfängnis Catholic Church
=
The church on Mauerstraße was
consecrated
Consecration is the solemn dedication to a special purpose or service. The word ''consecration'' literally means "association with the sacred". Persons, places, or things can be consecrated, and the term is used in various ways by different grou ...
in 1872 by Bishop
Konrad Martin
Konrad Martin (18 May 1812, at Geismar, Province of Saxony – 16 July 1879, at Mont St Guibert, near Brussels, Belgium) was a Catholic Bishop of Paderborn.
Life
Konrad Martin studied first under an elder brother who was a priest, and later at t ...
. It was renovated in 1999/2000.
= Christ Church
=
Christ Church was built as another church in 1907/1908 in the suburb of Kleinwittenberg in historicist forms.
Other buildings
= Augusteum and Luther House
=
The representative showcase building Augusteum was once an extension of the University of Wittenberg "Leucorea". In the inner courtyard of the Augusteum is the former home of
Martin Luther
Martin Luther (; ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, and professor, and Augustinian friar. He is the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation and the namesake of Luther ...
. Today, the building houses the Reformation History Museum with its collections of pictures, writings and contemporary exhibits from the
Reformation
The Reformation (alternatively named the Protestant Reformation or the European Reformation) was a major movement within Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe that posed a religious and political challenge to the Catholic Church and i ...
era. During the renovation of the Luther House, its medieval charm was partially lost.
= Melanchthon House
=
The architectural style of the Melanchthon House in Collegienstraße, which expresses the self-confident modernity of the
Renaissance
The Renaissance ( , ) , from , with the same meanings. is a period in European history marking the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and covering the 15th and 16th centuries, characterized by an effort to revive and surpass id ...
, is an architectural sight. In this house lived and died the
reformer
A reformer is someone who works for reform.
Reformer may also refer to:
*Catalytic reformer, in an oil refinery
*Methane reformer, producing hydrogen
* Steam reformer
*Hydrogen reformer, extracting hydrogen
*Methanol reformer, producing hydrogen ...
Philipp Melanchthon lived and died in this house. It houses an exhibition. In 2013, the house received an extension according to plans by the architects Dietsch & Weber from
Halle Halle may refer to:
Places Germany
* Halle (Saale), also called Halle an der Saale, a city in Saxony-Anhalt
** Halle (region), a former administrative region in Saxony-Anhalt
** Bezirk Halle, a former administrative division of East Germany
** Hall ...
made of grey brick.
= University ''Leucorea'' Wittenberg
=
Founded in 1502, the University of Leucorea in Collegienstraße was and is not only a teaching institution. For example, the famous personalities of the
Reformation
The Reformation (alternatively named the Protestant Reformation or the European Reformation) was a major movement within Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe that posed a religious and political challenge to the Catholic Church and i ...
Martin Luther
Martin Luther (; ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, and professor, and Augustinian friar. He is the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation and the namesake of Luther ...
and
Philipp Melanchthon
Philip Melanchthon. (born Philipp Schwartzerdt; 16 February 1497 – 19 April 1560) was a German Lutheran reformer, collaborator with Martin Luther, the first systematic theologian of the Protestant Reformation, intellectual leader of the L ...
spent time here. Over the history of the university, which is rich in tradition, developments took place that had an impact not only on
Germany
Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG),, is a country in Central Europe. It is the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany lies between the Baltic and North Sea to the north and the Alps to the sou ...
but also on large parts of the world.
= Hamlethaus
=
The Hamlethaus in Collegienstraße blends into the ensemble of the town.
= Bugenhagenhaus
=
The Bugenhagen House next to the town church is the oldest Protestant vicarage in the world and is one of the most significant memorials to the Reformation. Until 1997, it was the residence and place of work of the Wittenberg superintendents without interruption since the Reformation.
Johannes Bugenhagen was the first pastor to live here until his death in 1558. Between 2004 and 2007, the building was thoroughly renovated and now serves as a spiritual community and meeting centre.
=
Stadthaus
Stadthaus is a nine-storey residential building in Hackney, London. At nine stories (30 meters/98 feet), it is thought to be the second tallest timber residential structure in the world, after the Forte apartment complex in Melbourne, Austra ...
=
The Stadthaus is a modern building complex on Arsenalplatz that includes several historic buildings. Their origins date back to the 13th century. The town house contains significant remains of the medieval building fabric of the former
monastery church
A church, church building or church house is a building used for Christian worship services and other Christian religious activities. The earliest identified Christian church is a house church founded between 233 and 256. From the 11th thro ...
of the
Franciscans
, image = FrancescoCoA PioM.svg
, image_size = 200px
, caption = A cross, Christ's arm and Saint Francis's arm, a universal symbol of the Franciscans
, abbreviation = OFM
, predecessor =
, ...
, which in turn was used as the burial place of the
Ascanians. As early as 1536, the building was converted into a granary by
Conrad Theiß
Conrad may refer to:
People
* Conrad (name)
Places
United States
* Conrad, Illinois, an unincorporated community
* Conrad, Indiana, an unincorporated community
* Conrad, Iowa, a city
* Conrad, Montana, a city
* Conrad Glacier, Washington ...
and heavily remodelled by adding several levels. The medieval windows were closed and pouring openings were installed. During the
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War (1756–1763) was a global conflict that involved most of the European Great Powers, and was fought primarily in Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. Other concurrent conflicts include the French and Indian War (1754– ...
, the building was severely damaged and rebuilt with a lower building height. Several building activities in the following period have greatly changed the appearance of the building. At the end of the 19th century, for example, one storey was added and large window openings were broken in on the south side. Between 1945 and 1992, Arsenal Square with the town house was occupied by the
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (Russian language, Russian: Рабо́че-крестья́нская Кра́сная армия),) often shortened to the Red Army, was the army and air force of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist R ...
and therefore inaccessible. On the site of the former Franciscan monastery, the city's Central Visitors' Reception was opened in 2014/2015. It includes the event centre Stadthaus, the
Historical City Information
History (derived ) is the systematic study and the documentation of the human activity. The time period of event before the invention of writing systems is considered prehistory. "History" is an umbrella term comprising past events as well ...
, the Council Archive and the Tourist and City Information Centre.
=
Altes Rathaus Altes Rathaus (German for ''Old Town Hall'') may refer to:
*Altes Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
*Altes Rathaus, Hanover, Germany
*Rathaus (Freiburg im Breisgau), Germany
*Rathaus (Oldenburg), Germany
*Old Town Hall, Halle (Saale), Germany
*Old Town Hal ...
and
Marktplatz =
In the centre of the old town is the generously proportioned market square, where a harmonious ensemble of town houses has grown up over the centuries. On it are the Renaissance town hall, the monuments to
Martin Luther
Martin Luther (; ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, and professor, and Augustinian friar. He is the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation and the namesake of Luther ...
(designed by
Schadow) and Philipp Melanchthon (by
Drake
Drake may refer to:
Animals
* A male duck
People and fictional characters
* Drake (surname), a list of people and fictional characters with the family name
* Drake (given name), a list of people and fictional characters with the given name ...
), as well as the
Marktbrunnen. Since the town administration has been located in the former Tauentzien barracks in Lutherstraße beginning in 2000 (New Town Hall), the town hall on the market square has been called the Old Town Hall and has since served more representative purposes.
= Cranach-Höfe
=
The Cranach Courts attest to the work of
Lucas Cranach the Elder,
Lucas Cranach the Younger
Lucas Cranach the Younger (german: Lucas Cranach der Jüngere ; October 4, 1515 – January 25, 1586) was a German Renaissance painter and portraitist, the son of Lucas Cranach the Elder and brother of Hans Cranach.
Life and career
Lucas Cranach ...
,
Hans Cranach
Hans Cranach (ca. 1513–1537), also known as Johann Lucas Cranach, was a German painter, the oldest son of Lucas Cranach the Elder. German art historian Johann Christian Schuchardt
Johann Christian Schuchardt (5 May 1799, Buttstädt - 10 August ...
,
Augustin Cranach
Augustin Cranach (1554 — 26 July 1595) was a German painter. He was born and died in Wittenberg, and was the son of Lucas Cranach the Younger and Magdalena Schurff. He was the father of Lucas Cranach III
Lucas or LUCAS may refer to:
People ...
, and
Lucas Cranach III
Lucas or LUCAS may refer to:
People
* Lucas (surname)
* Lucas (given name)
Arts and entertainment
* Luca Family Singers, also known as "lucas ligner en torsk"
* ''Lucas'' (album) (2007), an album by Skeletons and the Kings of All Cities
* ''Luc ...
in Wittenberg. The building at Markt 4 and the pharmacy with the courtyard at Schlossstraße 1 show points of contact with Lucas Cranach and his descendants.
Lucas Cranach the Elder set up his own print shop in the once-famous printing town of Wittenberg. Among other things, the
95 Theses, the first part of the Luther Bible,
Luther's Table Talks, and numerous woodcuts were printed here. After the reconstruction of the Cranach courtyards, a historic print shop was re-established in Schlossstrasse, where texts (e.g. Luther's table speeches) and illustrations (in linocut) are now produced as privately printed matter using the letterpress process. The historical Gutenberg press in the
Cranachhof at Markt 4 demonstrates how printing was done in the Middle Ages.
=
Wittenberg Castle
Wittenberg ( , ; Low Saxon: ''Wittenbarg''; meaning ''White Mountain''; officially Lutherstadt Wittenberg (''Luther City Wittenberg'')), is the fourth largest town in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Wittenberg is situated on the River Elbe, north of ...
=
Wittenberg Castle is the former residence of the
Saxon Electors. After being destroyed in 1760 and 1814, it was used as a barracks as part of the defensive fortifications. Since the
First World War
World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fig ...
, the castle has served civilian purposes.
Museums
* ''
Cranach-Höfe'', Markt 4 (changing exhibitions)
* ''
Altes Rathaus Altes Rathaus (German for ''Old Town Hall'') may refer to:
*Altes Rathaus, Vienna, Austria
*Altes Rathaus, Hanover, Germany
*Rathaus (Freiburg im Breisgau), Germany
*Rathaus (Oldenburg), Germany
*Old Town Hall, Halle (Saale), Germany
*Old Town Hal ...
'' (changing exhibitions)
* ''Christian Art Foundation Wittenberg'' with a permanent exhibition and changing special exhibitions in
Wittenberg Castle
Wittenberg ( , ; Low Saxon: ''Wittenbarg''; meaning ''White Mountain''; officially Lutherstadt Wittenberg (''Luther City Wittenberg'')), is the fourth largest town in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Wittenberg is situated on the River Elbe, north of ...
(access via visitor centre)
* ''Haus der Geschichte'' (20th century housing culture and in particular that of the former GDR), Schlossstraße 6
*
Museum of Municipal Collections in the Zeughaus (city history;
Julius Riemer collection: natural history, ethnology), Arsenalplatz
* Science Center futurea, Markt 25
* Historical City Information and burial place of the
Ascanians in the monastery church, Arsenalplatz
Other sights
*
Luthereiche at the southern end of Lutherstraße, where
Martin Luther
Martin Luther (; ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, and professor, and Augustinian friar. He is the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation and the namesake of Luther ...
burned the
Bull of Banishment
A bull is an intact (i.e., not castrated) adult male of the species ''Bos taurus'' (cattle). More muscular and aggressive than the females of the same species (i.e., cows), bulls have long been an important symbol in many religions,
includi ...
of the Pope in 1520, thus completing his separation from the Roman Catholic Church.
* Röhrwasser, historical water supply system. In the 16th century, the steady growth of the population of the town of Wittenberg made a supply of fresh and clear water increasingly necessary. The existing wells and streams were no longer sufficient, as they were increasingly polluted with rubbish. The tubewater changed all that. With the tube water connection, fresh spring water was available to the citizens day and night, summer and winter. It was not until 1883 that the tubewater lost its importance due to the central water supply. Today, the Wittenberg tube water system with its 20 or so existing wells is the only functioning tube water supply system from the Middle Ages north of the
Alps
The Alps () ; german: Alpen ; it, Alpi ; rm, Alps ; sl, Alpe . are the highest and most extensive mountain range system that lies entirely in Europe, stretching approximately across seven Alpine countries (from west to east): France, ...
and thus a technical monument. Since 2002, parts of the streams flowing through the town have been opened up.
*
Ratsarchiv Wittenberg, Juristentrasse 16.
*
Kirchliches Forschungsheim, Friedrichstrasse 1a.
*
Luthergarten, park with 270 trees from all over the world near the castle on Kurfürstenring (formerly Hallesche Straße).
* Panoramic circular image ''
Luther 1517
Luther may refer to:
People
* Martin Luther (1483–1546), German monk credited with initiating the Protestant Reformation
* Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), American minister and leader in the American civil rights movement
* Luther (gi ...
'' by
Yadegar Asisi Yadegar ( fa, يادگار, meaning "memorial") may refer to:
* Yadegar, Lorestan
*Yadegar, Razavi Khorasan
Yadegar ( fa, يادگار, also Romanized as Yādegār; also known as Kozma and Yadgah) is a village in Dowlatkhaneh Rural District, Bajgi ...
, Wilhelm-Weber-Straße near the
Lutherhaus
The Lutherhaus is a writer's house museum in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany. Originally built in 1504 as part of the University of Wittenberg, the building was the home of Martin Luther for most of his adult life and a significant location in th ...
* Tierpark Wittenberg (Zoological Garden), Juristenstraße.
* Alaris Butterfly Park, Rothemarkstraße.
* K-Building (Kommandantengebäude), to house the planned study collection of the municipal collections, with attached lecture and conference centre, Juristenstrasse 14
* Reinhard-Heydrich-Monument, a 75-foot-tall statue errected in memory of
Reinhard Heydrich
Reinhard Tristan Eugen Heydrich ( ; ; 7 March 1904 – 4 June 1942) was a high-ranking German SS and police official during the Nazi era and a principal architect of the Holocaust.
He was chief of the Reich Security Main Office (inc ...
Coat of arms
Wittenberg's civic
coat of arms
A coat of arms is a heraldic visual design on an escutcheon (i.e., shield), surcoat, or tabard (the latter two being outer garments). The coat of arms on an escutcheon forms the central element of the full heraldic achievement, which in it ...
conveys with its various heraldic elements something of the town's history. On 27 June 1293, Wittenberg was granted
town rights
Town privileges or borough rights were important features of European towns during most of the second millennium. The city law customary in Central Europe probably dates back to Italian models, which in turn were oriented towards the traditio ...
by Duke Albert II. There then arose a mediaeval town whose highest governing body was its council. This council, known to have existed as early as 1317, was given the job of administering the town in its care through law and legislation, and of handling the town's revenue. For documentation, the administration used its own seal.
One version of what is believed to be the town's oldest town seal, which the council used, and which dated from the first half of the 14th century, set the pattern with its elements for various civic coats of arms down to the present day.
The coat of arms symbolizes, with its crenelated wall and the towers within and each side, a town that was already strongly fortified by 1409.
The two shields in the centre form the coat of arms of the Electorate of Saxony with the Saxon arms on the right, whose gold and black stripes recall the Ascanian rulers' house colours with the
''Rautenkranz'' or
crancelin (literally "
rue wreath"; see the
Saxony
Saxony (german: Sachsen ; Upper Saxon: ''Saggsn''; hsb, Sakska), officially the Free State of Saxony (german: Freistaat Sachsen, links=no ; Upper Saxon: ''Freischdaad Saggsn''; hsb, Swobodny stat Sakska, links=no), is a landlocked state of ...
article for more) across them symbolizing the town's founder Duke Albrecht II since 1262, when it appeared in his arms.
The shield on the left is the Wittenberg district's arms. In 1356, Emperor
Charles IV bestowed upon the Duke of Saxony-Wittenberg the honour of Elector. Wittenberg became an Electoral residence. The shield with its crossed swords stands for the office of "Arch-Marshal of the Holy Roman Empire" inextricably joined by the Electorate, brought to Wittenberg by
Rudolf I. Both coats of arms continued to be used by the
Wettins after the Ascanians died out.
The flowing water at the foot of the shield symbolizes Wittenberg's location on the River Elbe.
The fish is a
salmon
Salmon () is the common name
In biology, a common name of a taxon or organism (also known as a vernacular name, English name, colloquial name, country name, popular name, or farmer's name) is a name that is based on the normal language of ...
, which were once abundant in the Elbe. The
fishermen
A fisher or fisherman is someone who captures fish and other animals from a body of water, or gathers shellfish.
Worldwide, there are about 38 million commercial and subsistence fishers and fish farmers. Fishers may be professional or recre ...
, like all professions in town, got their own order in 1422, and the fish found its way onto their coat of arms.
Economy and infrastructure
The town is an important centre of
chemical industry
The chemical industry comprises the companies that produce industrial chemicals. Central to the modern world economy, it converts raw materials ( oil, natural gas, air, water, metals, and minerals) into more than 70,000 different products. T ...
with the . The whole area of the industrial park covers more than 220 hectares with more than 1,500 workers. Wittenberg is also the headquarters of the eco-friendly
web search engine
A search engine is a software system designed to carry out web searches. They search the World Wide Web in a systematic way for particular information specified in a textual web search query. The search results are generally presented in a ...
Ecosia. Tourism plays a major role. Wittenberg is one of the top destinations in Saxony-Anhalt.
Lutherstadt Wittenberg station
Lutherstadt Wittenberg Hauptbahnhof (until December 2016: ''Bahnhof Lutherstadt Wittenberg'' in German) is a railway station located in Wittenberg, Germany. The station opened on 3 August 1859 is located on the Berlin–Halle railway and Roßlau� ...
is the main railway station. It connects Wittenberg hourly with
Berlin
Berlin is Capital of Germany, the capital and largest city of Germany, both by area and List of cities in Germany by population, by population. Its more than 3.85 million inhabitants make it the European Union's List of cities in the European U ...
to the north and
Leipzig
Leipzig ( , ; Upper Saxon: ) is the most populous city in the German state of Saxony. Leipzig's population of 605,407 inhabitants (1.1 million in the larger urban zone) as of 2021 places the city as Germany's eighth most populous, as ...
and
Halle (Saale)
Halle (Saale), or simply Halle (; from the 15th to the 17th century: ''Hall in Sachsen''; until the beginning of the 20th century: ''Halle an der Saale'' ; from 1965 to 1995: ''Halle/Saale'') is the largest city of the German state of Saxony-An ...
to the south. The station was rebuilt to be more environmentally friendly and re-opened in December 2016.
File:Lutherstadt Wittenberg Hauptbahnhof (1).jpg, The new Lutherstadt Wittenberg station
Lutherstadt Wittenberg Hauptbahnhof (until December 2016: ''Bahnhof Lutherstadt Wittenberg'' in German) is a railway station located in Wittenberg, Germany. The station opened on 3 August 1859 is located on the Berlin–Halle railway and Roßlau� ...
in 2017
File:Elbbrücke Wittenberg.JPG, The Elbe bridge is part of the Bundesstraße 2 federal highway
File:Piesteritz SKW.JPG, The 'SKW Piesteritz' industrial area
File:Elbe in Wittenberg.jpg, The Elbe
The Elbe (; cs, Labe ; nds, Ilv or ''Elv''; Upper and dsb, Łobjo) is one of the major rivers of Central Europe. It rises in the Giant Mountains of the northern Czech Republic before traversing much of Bohemia (western half of the Czech Rep ...
connects Wittenberg with Hamburg
Hamburg (, ; nds, label=Hamburg German, Low Saxon, Hamborg ), officially the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (german: Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg; nds, label=Low Saxon, Friee un Hansestadt Hamborg),. is the List of cities in Germany by popul ...
and Magdeburg
Magdeburg (; nds, label= Low Saxon, Meideborg ) is the capital and second-largest city of the German state Saxony-Anhalt. The city is situated at the Elbe river.
Otto I, the first Holy Roman Emperor and founder of the Archdiocese of Mag ...
Theatre, culture and education

Wittenberg has a long tradition of cultural events. The Central German State Theatre (''Mitteldeutsches Landestheater'') reached a great importance in
GDR
East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR; german: Deutsche Demokratische Republik, , DDR, ), was a country that existed from its creation on 7 October 1949 until its dissolution on 3 October 1990. In these years the state ...
times. Since 1996, the town has staged open-air theatre shows based on the Lutheran history still alive in many historical places of the ancient town. As highlights, in 2001 and 2005,
Fernando Scarpa
Fernando Scarpa, AKA Fernando J. Scarpa, (born in Milan, Italy) is an international award-winning director and actor.
Film
Fernando Scarpa is a graduate of the motion picture directing program at New School University of New York City.
Since 20 ...
became the
artistic director
An artistic director is the executive of an arts organization, particularly in a theatre or dance company, who handles the organization's artistic direction. They are generally a producer and director, but not in the sense of a mogul, since the ...
of the ''"Bühne Wittenberg"'' (Stage Wittenberg), a project for theatre, art and culture in the whole of Germany which attracts many visitors to the town and whose success is known European-wide. On 2002 and 2003
Stefano Vagnini
Stefano Vagnini (born 1963) is an Italian musician, composer, researcher, poet and Modular Art theorist.
Biography
Stefano Vagnini was born in Fano, Italy.
Vagnini studied organ, composition and electronic music at the “ G. Rossini” conser ...
, Italian composer and organist created the music for ''Thesys'' and ''Luther Stories''.
Prince Hamlet
A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. Th ...
is said to have studied in Wittenberg and it was the supposed home of
Dr. Faustus.
Wittenberg is seat of th
Leucoreawhich is part of the
Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg
Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg (german: Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg), also referred to as MLU, is a public, research-oriented university in the cities of Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, Halle and Wittenberg and the largest an ...
, the largest university in Saxony-Anhalt.
Personalities from the 19th to the 21st century
Not only the great men of the Reformation era
Martin Luther
Martin Luther (; ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, and professor, and Augustinian friar. He is the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation and the namesake of Luther ...
,
Philipp Melanchthon
Philip Melanchthon. (born Philipp Schwartzerdt; 16 February 1497 – 19 April 1560) was a German Lutheran reformer, collaborator with Martin Luther, the first systematic theologian of the Protestant Reformation, intellectual leader of the L ...
and
Lucas Cranach left their mark on Wittenberg. Much more than in its role as the capital of
Kursachsen and as the residential town of
Saxony-Wittenberg, the city was shaped by what was probably the most important university in Central Europe at the end of the Middle Ages. It was the place of work of many personalities, who at the same time exerted influence on the city. Today, the names and dates of many personalities are recorded on memorial plaques on the houses in the old town.
1801–1850
*
Johann Friedrich von Brandt (* 1802 in Jüterbog; † 1879 in Merreküll), medical doctor and naturalist
*
Friedrich Drake (* 1805 in Pyrmont; † 1882 in Berlin), sculptor
*
Friedrich Wilhelm Ritschl (* 1806 in Großvargula; † 1876 in Leipzig), philologist.
*
Johann Hinrich Wichern (* 1808 in Hamburg; † 1881 in Hamburg), theologian
*
Johann Gottfried Galle
Johann Gottfried Galle (9 June 1812 – 10 July 1910) was a German astronomer from Radis, Germany, at the Berlin Observatory who, on 23 September 1846, with the assistance of student Heinrich Louis d'Arrest, was the first person to view the ...
(* 1812 in Pabsthaus; † 1910 in Potsdam), astronomer
*
Werner von Siemens
Ernst Werner Siemens ( von Siemens from 1888; ; ; 13 December 1816 – 6 December 1892) was a German electrical engineer, inventor and industrialist. Siemens's name has been adopted as the SI unit of electrical conductance, the siemens. He f ...
(* 1816 in Lenthe; † 1892 Berlin), industrialist, founder of electrical engineering
*
Karl Wilhelm Nitzsch (* 1818 in Zerbst; † 1880 in Berlin), historian
*
Adalbert Falk
Paul Ludwig Adalbert Falk (10 August 18277 July 1900) was a German politician.
Falk was born in Metschkau (Mieczków), Silesia. In 1847, he entered the Prussian state service, and in 1853, he became public prosecutor at Lyck (now Ełk). In 18 ...
(* 1827 in Metschkau; † 1900 in Hamm), Prussian minister of culture, honorary citizen of Wittenberg
1851–1900
*
Karl Lamprecht (* 1856 in Jessen; † 1915 in Leipzig), historian
*
Nathan Söderblom (* 1866 in Trönö; † 1931 in Uppsala), theologian, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, honorary citizen of Wittenberg
*
Otto Kleinschmidt
Otto Kleinschmidt (13 December 1870 – 25 March 1954) was a German ornithologist, theologist and pastor.
Career
Kleinschmidt was born as the son of the factory overseer Adolph Kleinschmidt and his wife Elise (maiden name Dreydorf) in Geinshei ...
(* 1870 in Geinsheim 1870; † 1954 in Wittenberg), natural scientist.
*
Otto Dibelius (* 1880 in Berlin; † 1967 in Berlin), theologian
*
Julius Riemer (* 1880 in Berlin; 1958 in Wittenberg), museum founder
*
Else Hertzer
Else Hertzer (1884–1978) was a 20th-century German artist representing the German Expressionism Movement. Her later works became more abstract.
Life
She was born Else Heintze on 24 November 1884 at 22 Collegienstrasse in Wittenberg close ...
(*1884 in Wittenberg; † 1978 in Berlin), expressionist painter
*
Otto Rasch (* 1891 in Friedrichsruh; † 1948 in Nuremberg), Lord Mayor 1934–36, as commander of Einsatzgruppe C responsible, among other things, for the massacre of
Babyn Yar
Babi Yar (russian: Ба́бий Яр) or Babyn Yar ( uk, Бабин Яр) is a ravine in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and a site of massacres carried out by Nazi Germany's forces during its campaign against the Soviet Union in World War II. The fi ...
*
Hermann Oberth
Hermann Julius Oberth (; 25 June 1894 – 28 December 1989) was an Austro-Hungarian-born German physicist and engineer. He is considered one of the founding fathers of rocketry and astronautics, along with Robert Esnault-Pelterie, Konstantin Ts ...
(* 1894 in Hermannstadt; † 1989 in Nuremberg), nuclear physicist
1901–1945
*
Erwin Wickert (* 1915 in Bralitz; † 2008 in Remagen), diplomat and writer
*
Konrad Wolf (* 1925 in Hechingen; † 1982 in Berlin), director
*
Ezard Haußmann (* 1935 in Potsdam; † 2010 in Potsdam), actor
*
Wolfgang Böhmer
Wolfgang Böhmer (born 27 January 1936) is a German politician ( CDU) and was the 5th Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt from 16 May 2002 to 19 April 2011. He served as President of the Bundesrat in 2002/03. He formerly worked as a medical doc ...
(* 1936 in Dürrhennersdorf), medical doctor, former Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt
*
Friedrich Schorlemmer
Friedrich Schorlemmer (born 16 May 1944) is a German Protestant theologian. He was a prominent member of the civil rights movement in the German Democratic Republic and has continued to take part in politics after German reunification in 1990.
E ...
(* 1944 in Wittenberge), theologian.
After 1945
*
Reiner Haseloff
Reiner Haseloff (born 19 February 1954) is a German politician who serves as the Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt. On 9 October 2020, he was elected President of the Bundesrat. His one-year term started on 1 November 2020.
Political career ...
(* 1954 in Bülzig), politician (CDU), Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt since 2011.
*
Frank Wartenberg
Frank Wartenberg (born 29 May 1955 in Bülzig) is a retired East German long jumper.
He won the bronze medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal. He also won the 1973 European Junior Championships, finished eighth at the 1974 Euro ...
(* 1955 in Prenzlau), track and field athlete
*
Christiane Wartenberg (* 1956 in Prenzlau), track and field athlete
*
Peter Fitzek
Peter Fitzek (born 12 August 1965) is a German political activist associated with the '' Reichsbürgerbewegung'' ("Reich Citizens' Movement"), a movement contesting the legitimacy of the current German state, the Federal Republic of Germany.
Fit ...
(* 1965 in Halle an der Saale), activist of the Reich citizenship movement, founder of the fantasy state Kingdom of Germany
*
Fernando Scarpa
Fernando Scarpa, AKA Fernando J. Scarpa, (born in Milan, Italy) is an international award-winning director and actor.
Film
Fernando Scarpa is a graduate of the motion picture directing program at New School University of New York City.
Since 20 ...
(* 1968 in Milan), Italian film director
*
Nils Seethaler (* 1981 in Berlin), provenance researcher and museum initiator
Twin towns – sister cities
Wittenberg is
twinned
Twinning (making a twin of) may refer to:
* In biology and agriculture, producing two offspring (i.e., twins) at a time, or having a tendency to do so;
* Twin towns and sister cities, towns and cities involved in town twinning
* Twinning inst ...
with:
*
Göttingen
Göttingen (, , ; nds, Chöttingen) is a college town, university city in Lower Saxony, central Germany, the Capital (political), capital of Göttingen (district), the eponymous district. The River Leine runs through it. At the end of 2019, t ...
, Germany (1988)
*
Bretten, Germany (1990)
*
Springfield, United States (1995)
*
Békéscsaba, Hungary (1999)
*
Haderslev
Haderslev (; german: Hadersleben ) is a Danish town in the Region of Southern Denmark with a population of 22,011 (1 January 2022).[Beveren
Beveren () is a municipality in the Belgian province of East Flanders which comprises the towns of Beveren, Doel, Haasdonk, Kallo, Kieldrecht, Melsele, Verrebroek and Vrasene.
The port of the Waasland (Dutch: ''Waaslandhaven'') is in ...]
, Belgium (2019)
*
Mediaș, Romania (2019)
*
Mogilev
Mogilev (russian: Могилёв, Mogilyov, ; yi, מאָלעוו, Molev, ) or Mahilyow ( be, Магілёў, Mahilioŭ, ) is a city in eastern Belarus, on the Dnieper River, about from the border with Russia's Smolensk Oblast and from the bor ...
, Belarus (2019)
Gallery
WittenbergMittelstr.JPG, Wittenberg old town
Wittenberg - Stadtbach in der Schlossstrasse (Town Stream in the Schlossstrasse) - geo.hlipp.de - 28216.jpg, View to All Saints' Church
912u_Luther's_95_Theses,_Schlosskirche,_Wittenberg,_GER,.jpg, Replica of the Ninety-five Theses
The ''Ninety-five Theses'' or ''Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences''-The title comes from the 1517 Basel pamphlet printing. The first printings of the ''Theses'' use an incipit rather than a title which summarizes the content ...
in the All Saints' Church
Wittenberg - Stadtkirche nachts.jpg, Stadtkirche
Lutherstadt Wittenberg 09-2016 photo10.jpg, Melanchthonhaus (Wittenberg)
The Melanchthonhaus is a writer's house museum in the German town of Lutherstadt Wittenberg. It is a Renaissance building with late Gothic arched windows and the broad-tiered gables. It includes the study of the influential Protestant Reformer ...
Wittenberg Lutherhaus.JPG, The Augusteum and Lutherhaus
Lutherstadt Wittenberg 09-2016 photo03.jpg, Town hall
HW-Schule.jpg, Hundertwasserschule, School by Friedensreich Hundertwasser
Friedrich Stowasser (15 December 1928 – 19 February 2000), better known by his pseudonym Friedensreich Regentag Dunkelbunt Hundertwasser (), was an Austrian visual artist and architect who also worked in the field of environmental protection ...
Wittenberg Piesteritz.jpg, Werksiedlung Wittenberg
Arsenal Shoppingcenter Wittenberg.jpg, The Arsenal shopping centre, opened 2012
Font by Hermann Vischer the Elder, St Mary's Church, Wittenberg.jpg, Font by Hermann Vischer the Elder, St Mary's Church, Wittenberg
Statue Marktplatz (Wittenberg) Philipp Melanchthon.jpg, Philipp Melanchthon
Philip Melanchthon. (born Philipp Schwartzerdt; 16 February 1497 – 19 April 1560) was a German Lutheran reformer, collaborator with Martin Luther, the first systematic theologian of the Protestant Reformation, intellectual leader of the L ...
in the market square
Wittenberg,Luthers Hochzeit.jpg, Market square, with ancient town hall, statue of Martin Luther
Martin Luther (; ; 10 November 1483 – 18 February 1546) was a German priest, theologian, author, hymnwriter, and professor, and Augustinian friar. He is the seminal figure of the Protestant Reformation and the namesake of Luther ...
and '' Stadtkirche''
Lutherstadt Wittenberg 09-2016 photo04.jpg, Hamlethaus at Wittenberg old town
Maarten Luther Statue.jpg, Maarten Luther Statue
Rathaus Wittenberg Entre.jpg, Town hall
Rathaus Wittenberg Detail.jpg, Facade images, town hall
Markt 25, Lutherstadt Wittenberg 20180812 005.jpg, Futurea Science Center museum at market
Kropstaedt castle3.JPG, Kropstädt Castle
Schloss Nudersdorf.jpg, Nudersdorf Castle
Notes
References
Further reading
*
External links
Luther Memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg UNESCO Official WebsiteMunicipal websiteTheatre of WittenbergTheatre of WittenbergInfo on the camp typhus epidemic in World War One''Luther and the Chemicals Industry'' a 2013 documentary in English by
Deutsche Welle covering the history of the city
{{Authority control
Landmarks in Germany
Towns in Saxony-Anhalt
Martin Luther
World Heritage Sites in Germany
Wittenberg (district)
Populated riverside places in Germany
Populated places on the Elbe