Wittenberg Travel Guide

"Lutherstadt" Wittenberg is located in the eastern part of Saxony Anhalt about halfway between Berlin (80 km) and Leipzig (70 km). The city of approximately 54,000 serves as the county seat of Wittenberg (population ca. 140,000).

The main claim to fame of Wittenberg is that it is the town where Martin Luther started the reformation. The city was an important intellectual and cultural centre in thos days and many monuments of that period can still be seen today. The best starting point for a samll city tour is the Markt where you find City Hall, a beautiful renaissance building finished in 1535, as well as St. Mary's Church. Together with the facades the houses facing the marketplace, these two buildings form one of the most beautiful historical ensembles in Gemany. For this reason this whole area has long been protected as an historical site.

The Castle Church, in the Wittenberg Castle was were Luther posted his 95 theses - the starting point opf the reformation. The Castle and All Saints Church were built by Frederick the Wise between 1490 and 1511. The Church comprises the third wing of the structure. In 1892 one of the castle towers was remodeled and made into the spire of the church. The Castle Church was known both for its artistic interior and for Frederick the Wise's unique collection of relics. Beginning in 1507, the Church also served as the University chapel. During the Seven Years' War, in 1760, the Church was destroyed by fire and was rebuilt in 1892 as a Monument to the Reformation.

Cranach and Melanchthon Houses are good examples of renaissance architectur from this part of Europe as well and can be visited.