Wittenberg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wittenberg Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Town
From top: View over Wittenberg old town, Inside the old town with view to the Castle church, Market square with town hall and Stadtkirche Wittenberg, inside Wittenberg castle church and Lutherhaus, Leucorea university, Melanchthonhaus and the Stadthaus
Coat of arms
Location of Wittenberg within Wittenberg district
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Country	Germany
State	Saxony-Anhalt
District	Wittenberg
Area
• Total	240.32 km2 (92.79 sq mi)
Elevation	67 m (220 ft)
Population  (2022-12-31)
• Total	45,535
• Density	189.477/km2 (490.742/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes	06886
Dialling codes	03491
Vehicle registration	WB
Website	wittenberg.de

Wittenberg, officially called Lutherstadt Wittenberg, is a town in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is the fourth-largest town in this German state. Wittenberg is located on the River Elbe, about 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of Leipzig. It is also about 90 kilometers (56 miles) south-west of Berlin. In 2018, the town had a population of 46,008 people.

Wittenberg is very famous for its strong connection to Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. Because of this, it was given the special name Lutherstadt (Luther Town). People often call it the "cradle of the Reformation" or the "cradle of Protestantism". Many buildings in Wittenberg are linked to these important historical events.

For example, you can still see part of the Augustinian monastery where Luther lived. He first lived there as a monk. Later, he owned it with his wife, Katharina von Bora, and their family. Today, this building is a top museum dedicated to Luther. Wittenberg was also the home of the Elector of Saxony. This important title was held by the dukes of Saxe-Wittenberg. This made Wittenberg one of the most powerful cities in the Holy Roman Empire.

Today, Wittenberg is a place for industry and a popular spot for tourists. It is well-known for its old town, which is still in great condition. There are also many memorial sites dedicated to Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon. In 1996, buildings linked to Luther and Melanchthon were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. This was because of their religious importance and their role in a very influential movement in medieval Europe. Other sites in Eisleben were also included.

History of Wittenberg

Wittenberg

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Market square with Stadtkirche Wittenberg
Part of	Luther Memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg
Includes	Lutherhaus, Melanchthonhaus, Stadtkirche Wittenberg and All Saints' Church, Wittenberg
Criteria	Cultural: iv, vi
Inscription	1996 (20th Session)

Wittenberg in 1536

The University of Wittenberg in 1644

Historical records first mention Wittenberg in 1180. It was a small village started by settlers from Flanders. These settlers were under the rule of the House of Ascania. In 1260, the village became the home of the dukes of Saxe-Wittenberg. Then, in 1293, Wittenberg was officially made a free town with its own town charter.

Over the next few centuries, Wittenberg grew into an important trading center. This was because of its central location. In 1422, the local Ascanian family line ended. Control of Saxe-Wittenberg then went to the House of Wettin. By the late 1400s, the town became a key political and cultural hub. This happened when Frederick III "the Wise" made Wittenberg his home. He was the Elector of Saxony from 1486 to 1525.

Soon after, parts of the town's borders were expanded. A second bridge over the Elbe River was built between 1487 and 1490. The castle church (called the Schlosskirche in German) was built from 1496 to 1506. The Elector's palace was also rebuilt at the same time.

In 1502, Elector Frederick founded the University of Wittenberg. This university attracted important thinkers like Martin Luther. He became a theology professor there in 1508. Philipp Melanchthon also joined as a Greek professor in 1518.

On October 31, 1517, a famous event happened. According to stories, Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church. These theses were arguments against the selling of indulgences. This moment is often seen as the start of the Protestant Reformation.

In 1760, during the Seven Years' War, the Austrians attacked the town, which was held by Prussia. The French took control in 1806. In 1813, Napoleon ordered the town's defenses to be made stronger. In 1814, the Prussian Army took Wittenberg. In 1815, Wittenberg became part of Prussia. It remained a fortress until 1873, when its defenses were removed.

During World War II, Wittenberg's town center was mostly saved from damage. The Allies agreed not to bomb the historic center. However, outside the town, there was a factory that made parts for airplanes. This factory was bombed by American and British planes near the end of the war.

In 1945, Soviet forces took over Wittenberg. It became part of East Germany in 1949. After the peaceful revolution in 1989, the communist government ended. The town has been run democratically since 1990.

Today, Wittenberg is being updated with new buildings and renovations. Its economy is growing, and tourism is important. The town is seen as a "place of pilgrimage for the Reformation." From 2008, the town prepared for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. Many buildings were restored, and new attractions were created. In 2014, Lutherstadt Wittenberg was named a European City of the Reformation.

Population Growth Over Time

The numbers below show how Wittenberg's population has changed over the years. Early numbers are estimates, while later ones come from official counts.

Historical population from 1800 to 2015

Source: 2012 census.

Parts of Wittenberg

The town of Wittenberg includes the main town area and several smaller municipal divisions called Ortschaften:

Wittenberg's Climate

Wittenberg has a moderate climate. Here is some information about the weather:

Sights and Culture in Wittenberg

Wittenberg has many interesting cultural places to visit. Most of them are in the old town, along what is called the Wittenberg Culture Mile.

Lutherhaus, Wittenberg

Cranachhof, one of many courtyards in Wittenberg

Wittenberg is home to many historical sites. You can also see portraits and paintings by Lucas Cranach the Elder and Younger.

Famous Churches

The Castle Church (Schlosskirche)

The Schlosskirche (Castle Church) is one of the town's main attractions. It is most famous because Martin Luther is said to have nailed his 95 Theses to its door in 1517. These theses were a strong challenge to the Roman Catholic Church's practice of selling indulgences. The church was rebuilt between 1883 and 1892. Its design was meant to show the church's global historical importance. In 2017, the church was fully renovated for the 500th anniversary of Luther's theses.

St. Mary's Town Church (Stadtkirche)

The St. Mary's Town Church is known as the "mother church" of the Reformation. The first Protestant church service was held here in 1521. This service was led by Justus Jonas the Elder and Andreas Bodenstein of Karlstadt. Martin Luther often preached in this church. It has beautiful art, including works by Lucas Cranach the Elder and Lucas Cranach the Younger.

Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception

The Catholic Church on Mauerstraße was officially opened in 1872. It was renovated in 1999 and 2000.

Christ Church

Christ Church was built in 1907 and 1908. It is located in the Kleinwittenberg area and has a historic style.

Other Important Buildings

Luther House (Lutherhaus)

The Lutherhaus was once part of the University of Wittenberg. It was the home of Martin Luther before and after the Reformation. Today, it is a museum. It holds many items from Luther's life and the Reformation period.

Melanchthon House

The Melanchthon House is a beautiful example of Renaissance architecture. The reformer Philipp Melanchthon lived and died in this house. Today, it has an exhibition about his life.

University Leucorea Wittenberg

The University of Leucorea was founded in 1502. Important figures like Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon spent time here. This university had a big impact on Germany and the world.

Bugenhagen House

The Bugenhagen House is next to the town church. It is the oldest Protestant vicarage (pastor's home) in the world. Johannes Bugenhagen was the first pastor to live here. Today, it is a community and meeting center.

Town Hall and Market Square

In the center of the old town is the large Market Square. Here you will find the Renaissance-style Old Town Hall. There are also statues of Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon. The town administration moved to a new building in 2000. So, the old town hall is now used for special events.

Cranach Courtyards

The Cranach Courtyards show the work of the Cranach family, including Lucas Cranach the Elder. Lucas Cranach the Elder had his own printing shop in Wittenberg. Many important texts were printed here, like Luther's 95 Theses. Today, you can see a historic printing shop in Schlossstrasse. There is also a Gutenberg press that shows how printing was done long ago.

Wittenberg Castle

Wittenberg Castle was once the home of the Saxon Electors. It was damaged in wars and later used as military barracks. Since World War I, it has been used for civilian purposes.

Museums to Explore

• Cranach-Höfe, Markt 4 (features changing exhibitions).
• Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) (features changing exhibitions).
• Christian Art Foundation Wittenberg in Wittenberg Castle (has a permanent art collection and special shows).
• Haus der Geschichte (House of History) at Schlossstraße 6 (shows housing culture from the 20th century, especially from East Germany).
• Museum of Municipal Collections in the Zeughaus (covers city history and has natural history and cultural collections).
• Science Center futurea, Markt 25.
• Historical City Information and burial place of the Ascanians in the monastery church, Arsenalplatz.

Other Interesting Sights

• Luther Oak: This tree marks the spot where Martin Luther publicly burned the Pope's official order in 1520. This act showed his break from the Roman Catholic Church.
• Röhrwasser: This is an old water supply system from the 16th century. It brought fresh spring water to the town. Today, it is a technical monument.
• Luthergarten: A park near the castle with 270 trees from all over the world.
• Panoramic image Luther 1517: A large circular painting by Yadegar Asisi that shows Wittenberg in Luther's time.
• Tierpark Wittenberg (Zoological Garden), Juristenstraße.
• Alaris Butterfly Park, Rothemarkstraße.

Wittenberg's Coat of Arms

Wittenberg's oldest coat of arms

Wittenberg's town coat of arms tells parts of its history through its symbols. On June 27, 1293, Duke Albert II gave Wittenberg its town rights. The town then had a council to manage its laws and money. This council used its own seal.

An old town seal from the early 1300s set the design for Wittenberg's coats of arms even today. The wall with towers shows that the town was strongly fortified by 1409.

The two shields in the middle are from the Electorate of Saxony. The right shield has gold and black stripes. These were the colors of the Ascanian rulers. The green Rautenkranz (a type of wreath) across them has been a symbol of the town's founder, Duke Albrecht II, since 1262.

The left shield has crossed swords. This symbol stands for the important role of "Arch-Marshal of the Holy Roman Empire." This role was given to the Duke of Saxony-Wittenberg in 1356. Rudolf I brought this honor to Wittenberg. Both shields continued to be used by the Wettin family after the Ascanians.

The flowing water at the bottom of the shield shows Wittenberg's location on the River Elbe. The fish is a salmon, which used to be very common in the Elbe. Fishermen in the town even had their own group in 1422, and the fish became part of their symbol.

Economy and Infrastructure

Wittenberg is an important center for the chemical industry. The SKW Stickstoffwerke Piesteritz GmbH [de] is a large chemical company here. Its industrial area covers over 220 hectares and employs more than 1,500 people. Wittenberg is also the main office for Ecosia, an eco-friendly web search engine. Tourism is also a big part of the economy. Wittenberg is one of the most popular places to visit in Saxony-Anhalt.

Lutherstadt Wittenberg station is the main train station. Trains connect Wittenberg every hour to Berlin in the north. They also connect to Leipzig and Halle (Saale) in the south. The station was rebuilt to be more environmentally friendly and reopened in December 2016.

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  The new Lutherstadt Wittenberg station in 2017

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  The Elbe bridge is part of the Bundesstraße 2 federal highway

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  The 'SKW Piesteritz' industrial area

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  The Elbe connects Wittenberg with Hamburg and Magdeburg

Culture and Education

Wittenberg has a long history of cultural events. The Central German State Theatre (Mitteldeutsches Landestheater) was very important during the time of GDR. Since 1996, the town has hosted outdoor theater shows. These shows are based on Luther's history and take place in the old town's historic spots.

The town is also home to the Leucorea. This is part of the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg. It is the largest university in Saxony-Anhalt.

Famous People from Wittenberg

Many important people have lived or worked in Wittenberg. Not just the reformers like Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon. The university also attracted many famous thinkers. You can find plaques on houses in the old town that tell you about these people.

People Born Between 1801 and 1850

• Johann Friedrich von Brandt (1802–1879), a doctor and naturalist.
• Friedrich Drake (1805–1882), a sculptor.
• Johann Gottfried Galle (1812–1910), an astronomer.
• Werner von Siemens (1816–1892), an industrialist who founded electrical engineering.

People Born Between 1851 and 1900

• Karl Lamprecht (1856–1915), a historian.
• Nathan Söderblom (1866–1931), a theologian and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
• Otto Kleinschmidt (1870–1954), a natural scientist.
• Otto Dibelius (1880–1967), a theologian.
• Julius Riemer (1880–1958), who founded a museum.
• Else Hertzer (1884–1978), an expressionist painter.
• Hermann Oberth (1894–1989), a nuclear physicist.

People Born Between 1901 and 1945

• Erwin Wickert (1915–2008), a diplomat and writer.
• Konrad Wolf (1925–1982), a film director.
• Ezard Haußmann (1935–2010), an actor.
• Wolfgang Böhmer (1936), a doctor and former Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt.
• Friedrich Schorlemmer (1944), a theologian.

People Born After 1945

• Reiner Haseloff (1954), a politician who has been Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt since 2011.
• Frank Wartenberg (1955), a track and field athlete.
• Christiane Wartenberg (1956), a track and field athlete.
• Fernando Scarpa (1968), an Italian film director.
• Nils Seethaler (1981), a researcher and museum initiator.

Twin Towns and Sister Cities

Wittenberg has partnerships with other towns and cities around the world. These are called twin towns or sister cities:

Images for kids

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  Wittenberg old town

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  View to All Saints' Church

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  Replica of the Ninety-five Theses in the All Saints' Church

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  Stadtkirche

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  Melanchthonhaus (Wittenberg)

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  The Augusteum and Lutherhaus

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  Town hall

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  Hundertwasserschule, a school designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser

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  Werksiedlung Wittenberg

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  The Arsenal shopping centre, opened in 2012

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  Font by Hermann Vischer the Elder, St Mary's Church, Wittenberg

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  Philipp Melanchthon in the market square

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  Market square, with the old town hall, statue of Martin Luther and Stadtkirche

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  Hamlethaus at Wittenberg old town

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  Maarten Luther Statue

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  Town hall entrance

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  Facade images on the town hall

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  Futurea Science Center museum at the market

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  Kropstädt Castle

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  Nudersdorf Castle

See also

In Spanish: Wittenberg para niños