NOTES REGARDING HISTORICAL
AND REFORMATION SITES
GERMANY
 2010 H.G. HARKER
January 2010
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ADDRESSES OF SDA FACILITIES IN GERMANY .............................................................. 3
BERLIN ................................................................................................................................ 5
SPANDAU ............................................................................................................................ 8
SACHSENHAUSEN ............................................................................................................. 8
RAVENSBRÜCK .................................................................................................................. 8
POTSDAM ........................................................................................................................... 9
FRIENDENSAU ................................................................................................................... 9
MAGDEBURG...................................................................................................................... 9
GOSLAR ............................................................................................................................ 10
HANNOVER ....................................................................................................................... 10
CELLE................................................................................................................................ 11
BERGEN-BELSEN ............................................................................................................. 11
HAMBURG ......................................................................................................................... 11
XANTEN ............................................................................................................................ 12
KEVELAER ........................................................................................................................ 12
KÖLN (Cologne)................................................................................................................. 12
BONN................................................................................................................................. 13
AACHEN ............................................................................................................................ 13
KOBLENZ .......................................................................................................................... 13
MAINZ ................................................................................................................................ 14
MARIENHÖHE (DARMSTADT).......................................................................................... 15
WORMS ............................................................................................................................. 15
SEE APPENDIX 3 FOR DETAILS OF ALEANDER ............................................................ 18
TRIER ................................................................................................................................ 18
SPEYER ............................................................................................................................ 18
HEIDELBERG .................................................................................................................... 20
FREIBURG ........................................................................................................................ 21
HORB................................................................................................................................. 21
BINSDORF ........................................................................................................................ 21
ROTTENBURG a.N........................................................................................................... 21
KONSTANZ (CONSTANCE) ............................................................................................. 22
ULM ................................................................................................................................... 25
AUGSBURG....................................................................................................................... 26
FÜSSEN ............................................................................................................................ 29
BAVARIAN CASTLES ........................................................................................................ 29
STEINGADEN .................................................................................................................... 30
WIES .................................................................................................................................. 30
OBERAMMERGAU ............................................................................................................ 30
ETTAL ................................................................................................................................ 30
MÜNCHEN (MUNICH) ....................................................................................................... 30
DACHAU ............................................................................................................................ 32
INGOLSTADT .................................................................................................................... 33
SEE APPENDIX 2 FOR BIOGRAPHY OF JOHN ECK ....................................................... 33
NÜRNBERG (NUREMBERG) ............................................................................................ 34
DINKELSBÜHL .................................................................................................................. 36
ROTHENBURG (ob der Tauber) ........................................................................................ 36
BAMBERG ......................................................................................................................... 37
WURZBURG ...................................................................................................................... 37
EISENACH ......................................................................................................................... 37
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SCHMALKALDEN .............................................................................................................. 39
ERFURT ............................................................................................................................ 40
STOTTERHEIM (Monument) ............................................................................................. 44
BUCHENWALD.................................................................................................................. 44
WEIMAR ............................................................................................................................ 44
LEIPZIG ............................................................................................................................. 46
ZWICKAU .......................................................................................................................... 48
HALLE................................................................................................................................ 48
EISLEBEN ......................................................................................................................... 49
ALLSTEDT ......................................................................................................................... 50
MANSFELD........................................................................................................................ 51
WITTENBERG ................................................................................................................... 52
TORGAU............................................................................................................................ 55
APPENDIX 1: BIOGRAPHY - MARTIN LUTHER ............................................................ 57
APPENDIX 2: BIOGRAPHY - JOHN (JOHANNES) ECK................................................. 61
APPENDIX 3 HIERONYMOUS ALEANDER ..................................................................... 61
APPENDIX 4 BIOGRAPHY - JOHN (JAN) HUS .............................................................. 63
APPENDIX 5 THE CONFRONTATION AT AUGSBURG................................................... 66
APPENDIX 6 BIOGRAPHY - TOMMASO CAJETAN ....................................................... 68
APPENDIX 7 BIOGRAPHY - PHILIPP MELANCHTHON ................................................ 69
APPENDIX 8 THE DISPUTATION AT LEIPZIG ................................................................ 70
APPENDIX 9 BIOGRAPHY - ANDREW (ANDREAS) KARLSTADT .............................. 72
ADDRESSES OF SDA FACILITIES IN GERMANY
NORTH GERMAN UNION CONFERENCE
Hildesheimer Strasse 426;
30519 Hannover
GERMANY
Phone: +49 511 971-77-100
Fax:
+49 511 971-77-199
www.ndv.adventisten.de
SOUTH GERMAN UNION CONFERENCE
Senfelderstrasse 15
73760 Ostfildern
GERMANY
Phone: +49 711 448-190
Fax:
+49 711 448-1960
www.adventisten.de/adressen/sdv.html
MARIENHÖHESEMINARY
(Schulzentrum Seminar Marienhöhe Gymnasium & Kolleg)
Auf der Marienhöhe 32,
64297 Darmstadt
GERMANY
ADVENTHAUS FREUDENSTADT (BLACK FOREST)
Herrenfelderstrae 13
72250 Freudenstadt.
GERMANY
FRIEDENSAU THROLOGICAL GRADUATE SCHOOL
(Theologische Hochschule Friedensau)
39291 Friedensau bei Burg/Sachsen-Anhalt
GERMANY
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ALTENA (WESTFALIA)
Bergheim Mühlenrahmede
Kalkofenweg 32
58750 Altena
GERMANY. Phone +49 2352 50120
(This beautifully situated conference centre was originally built for youth retreats. It is now
mainly used for conferences, retreats, holidaying, etc. It is a worthwhile stop-over if travelling by
car.
VISAS/TRAVEL etc
 Australian citizens do not need a visa to travel to, and in Germany, for up to three months.
 Prior to travelling, valuable information concerning timetables for trains, ships on the Rhine,
tourist information and general travel matters in Germany is available from:
German National Tourist Office
143 Macquarie Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000 Phone: (02) 9367 3890
 Within Germany every town has its own tourist office (Verkehrsamt), which is usually at the
City Hall (Rathaus) or at the main rail station (Hauptbahnhof). Information on what to see,
how to get around, accommodation etc is available.
 Most Tourist Offices also have an accommodation service called (Zimmernachweis), where
accommodation may be reserved for a small fee.
 Signs for ‘Zimmer’ or ‘Zimmer Frei’ have cheaper accommodation. Also ‘Hotel Garni’ or
‘Pension’ and ‘Gasthof’ signs indicate places to stay.
 It is often best to endeavour to arrange accommodation the first thing on entering a town.
Meals
 Only the largest German cities have vegetarian restaurants (very few). Most Adventists are
not vegetarian.
 A salad plate (salatplatte) or salad sandwiches are often obtainable
 Large department stores (Wienerwald, McDonalds and Pizza Hut etc) have their usual
menus. Pizza restaurants and Chinese restaurants are usually available.
Cash and Tips
 ATM’s are in most places and accept Visa and MasterCard.
 Travellers’ cheques are still used (American Express etc).
 Money exchange centres are at all international airports and often at large rail stations.
 Exchange kiosks (Wechselstuben), tourist offices and travel agencies provide ready
exchange facilities – but may be at a higher rate.
Travel
 It is assumed that when travelling by car, a Road Atlas – or maps of the area being visited
will be obtained.
 Rail travel is fast and connections frequent. A Eurail-pass may be a good investment,
depending on how much travel will be done.
 Cheap rental cars are ideal – particularly if rented before leaving Australia. If driving, find
the parking place in each city, readily signed with the big blue ‘P’ and walk or use local
transport.
 Often day tickets on local transport are available for tourists.
 Guidebooks of Countries and cities are always invaluable giving many local details. Dorling
Kindersley Eyewitness Travel Guides would have to be the best giving often a small picture
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of what you see as well ad detailed maps of each area with references giving detail of each
place.
Toilets are free only at airports. At railway stations, shopping centres, public toilets – you
pay!
History
 Germany has much history with some evidences still visible of Roman occupation.
 Celtic history may also be noted.
 Charlemagne cris-crossed the country and made Aachen in the west of the country his
headquarters.
 Castles with stories of knights and medieval history are all over the country.
 Christianity has had a major impact – both in history and architecture.
 Reformation history with Luther is extensive.
 Count Zinzendorf and the Pietist movement also feature.
 Music and the arts have also flourished. Bach, Beethoven, and Wagner are just a few.
 Museums of world renown contain items from all over the world including those from German
archaeological explorations.
 The Thirty Years War 1618 – 1648 saw much inhumanity to Protestants.
 The Catholic general Tilly is reported to have half-strangled people repeatedly, rolled sharp
wheels over fingers and toes, pinched thumbs in a vice, choked many by forcing filthy
things down their throats. Cords were tied so tightly around the necks of people that blood
gushed from the eyes, nose, ears and mouth. Mouths filled with gunpowder and lit blowing
heads off, hanging by the legs over a fire until smoke dried. Plus a gruesome list
enumerated in Foxe’s Book of Martyrs p. 168,169.
Note: The contents of these “Notes on Germany” commence with Berlin and move in a
somewhat anti-clockwise direction.
BERLIN
 Is situated in the central eastern area of the country
 Is the capital of Germany. It had this position until the end of World War II when Germany
was divided between the East and the West.
 Berlin grew from the end of the 17th century when Friedrich Wilhelm of Brandenburg built up
the city.
 In 1685 with the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV, this was countered by the
Edict of Potsdam on 29 October 1685, which opened the gates for vast immigrations of
Huguenots. 20,000 arrived at that time
 Friedrich I, the first king of Prussia, built the Charlottenburg palace for his wife SophieCharlotte early in the 18th century.
 By 1871 Berlin’s population had reached 1 million.
 After World War II Berlin was occupied by the major powers and divided.
The Berlin Wall
 It was 160 km long and was built in 1961 dividing the east from the west.
 It remained until its fall on 9 November 1989.
 Almost nothing is left of the wall today.
 One section stands on Mühlenstrae just east of the River Spree.
 The most famous crossing points were “Checkpoint Charlie” on Friedrich Strae and the
Brandenburg Gate (though the Brandenburg Gate was closed for many years).
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The Reichstag
 Was built in 1894 near the Brandenburg Gate.
 It was the site of the Diet of the Empire.
 It was gutted by fire in 1933 – Hitler blaming the Jews.
 It was further damaged during World War II.
 It has been rebuilt and has been the site for the Parliament of unified Germany since 4
October 1990.
 Beside the Reichstag is a newly constructed dome with a spiral staircase. It is well worth the
walk for the view of Berlin – if the waiting in the queue is not too long
The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor
 Situated at the western end of the Unter den Linden Strae and at the eastern end of the
Strae des 17 Juni (17th June Avenue). It is also near the Reichstag
 It was a checkpoint between West and East Berlin for only a little time the Wall was in place.
 The Arch is the very symbol of Berlin
 Napoleon took the Victory Quadriga from the top of the gate back to Paris – it was returned
in 1814
 The Quadriga was destroyed during World War II. The West Berlin Senate had a new one
hammered from copper and presented to the East Berlin administration as a gift.
 The six Doric columns were inspired by the Propylaea of the Parthenon in Athens.
The Sowjetisches Ehrenmal (Russian War Memorial)
 Is situated on the northern side of the Strae des 17 Juni not far from the Brandenburg Gate
and about level with the entrance to the Reichstag.
 The marble in the monument came from the ruins of Hitler’s Chancellery.
 The tank on display was the first to enter Berlin in 1945.
The Unter den Linden Straße
 It is the famous street leading east from the Brandenburg Gate to the River Spree, into what
became East Berlin.
 Originally it was the way to the royal hunting grounds – now the Tiergarten.
 It means “Under the Lime Trees”. The trees were planted in 1820.
 It was designed by Elector Friedrich Wilhelm in 1647.
 The great buildings of the Opera House and the German State Library and Museum are
situated on it
 Originally it had many cafes and restaurants and was the place for artists etc. Now tourists
crowd the street. Some cafes are returning.
The Pergamon Museum
 Situated on the northern end of Museum Island in the River Spree. Follow the river north
from the Unter den Linden for 400 m or so (just before the overhead rail bridge) the museum
is on the right.
 The GPS co-ordinates are: N 52 31.252’ E 13 23.776’.
 This museum is a ‘must see’.
 It is open 1000 – 1800 hrs Tuesdays to Sundays
 Photographs are permitted – but NO FLASH. Free head-sets and unit tell of each exhibit The Collection of Antiquities includes the massive altar to Zeus from Pergamos.
 The Middle East section has the Ishtar Gate from Babylon has been restored brick by brick
and tile by tile.
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Walk through the Processional Way and the Ishtar Gate – the gate that Daniel walked
through.
See the lions and other beasts featured on the walls of the entry to the gate
Note the high wall with cuneiform inscription which tells of the construction of the gate by
Nebuchadnezzar. “I (Nebuchadnezzar) laid the foundation of the gates down to the ground
water level and had them built out of pure blue stone…”
In the Babylonian room there is a brick from Babylon with cuneiform script indicating that
Nebuchadnezzar built the city.
Another small cuneiform tablet here indicates the measures of supplies given to the king of
Judah by Babylon – confirming the Scriptural record.
The Assyrian collection shows the massive carved winged lions etc and is a must see.
The Egyptian Museum
 Is situated in the New Museum off the park in front of the Deutscher Dom (German
Cathedral) just before the Pergamon Museum.
 The main attraction is the Bust of Queen Nefertiti (painted plaster over limestone). She was
the beautiful wife of Akhenaton who tried to institute monotheistic religion in Egypt.
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The French Huguenot Church (Französischer Dom)
 Situated 3 blocks south of the Unter den Linden in the block bounded by Charlottenstrae
and Französische Strae and Markgrafenstrae in Friedrichstadt.
 It was severely damaged during World War II and rebuilt between 1977 and 1983.
 Up until the commencement of WWII the sermon was preached in French.
 The Deutscher Dom is right at the side of the Französischer Dom with a similar dome.
The Huguenot Museum
 Is situated here beside the French Huguenot Church.
 Is open 1200-1700 hrs Wednesday to Saturday, and Sunday 1500 – 1700 hrs.
 Most of the signage is in German.
 An English translation of the explanatory notes is available at the entrance.
 It has fine displays illustrating the history of the Reformation and in particular Calvinism,
Protestants in France, the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and the way the French
Protestants were welcomed into Berlin
 A French Olivetan Bible (given by the Waldenses) from 1535 is a feature, as well as a copy
of the Ten Commandments in French from 1748.
Mauer Museum (or the Freedom Museum)
 Is situated in Friedrichstrae between Zimmerstrae and Kochstrae.
 The GPS co-ordinates are: N 52 30.415’ E 13 23.427’.
 Open daily 0900 – 2200 hrs.
 It is sometimes called the Checkpoint Charlie Museum because of its close proximity to the
former Checkpoint Charlie at Friedrichstrae and Nieder-Kirchner Strae.
 It has videos, displays and actual objects used in escaping from East Berlin – car, glider etc
 It is well worth a visit and shows the innate desire of all for freedom.
The Philharmonie
 It is situated about 1 km SW of the Brandenburg Gate at Herbert-vonKarajan Strae 1.
 It was built between1960 and 1963 and has a tent or sail like gilded exterior.
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It is home to one of the finest orchestras in Europe
Behind it on Tiergartenstrae 1 is the Musical Instruments Museum with instruments from
the 16th century onwards
Hitler’s Bunker
 Is unmarked with no memorial of the place where Adolph Hitler suicided April 30, 1945.
 It is located in former East Berliin.
 Commence walking from Potsdammer Platz, along Ebert Strasse past Voss Strasse, then
past a tiny alley by the Canadian Embassy. On the right is a parking zone and small grassy
area used for office workers to have lunch – and you have arrived at all that’s left.
The Tiergaten
 Located south and west from the Brandenburg Gate
 It Is Berlin’s oldest park.
 It was originally the royal hunting park.
 Today it is a park landscaped in the English style
The Siegessäule Victory Column
 Situated in the centre of a huge round-a-bout on the Kaiser Damm due west of the
Brandenburg Gate
 It is 67 m high and has 285 steps.
 It commemorates victories in 1864, 1869 and 1870.
 A great view of Berlin awaits you from the top.
The Greek & Roman Museum
 The Greek & Roman Museum is opposite the Egyptian Museum on Schloss Strae and
Spandauer Damm.
 The basement has gold and silver objects, gems and a gold fish weighing over 600 g.
SPANDAU
 The Spandau Citadel is situated at the junction of the Havel River and the Spree – some
8km NW of the Charlottenburg Castle.
 It has been attacked by Swedish, Austrian, French, Russian and Prussian soldiers.
 The Julius Tower was used in 1874 to store the 120 million gold marks demanded by
Germany from France as war reparations after the 1870/71 Franco-Prussian War.
SACHSENHAUSEN
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Situated about 50 km north of Berlin and about 4 to 5 km north of Oranienburg just to the
west of Highway 96.
Sachsenhausen was a concentration camp opened in 1936 by the National Socialists.
Today it is called the Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum and place of remembrance
commemorating the 100,000 inmates who perished here – many shot through the back of
the head.
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 8.30 am to 6.00 pm.
RAVENSBRÜCK
 Ravensbrück is situated just outside Fürstenberg on Highway 96, some 20 km south of
Neustrelitz and 65 km north of Oranienburg.
 This concentration camp was used almost solely for women and children.
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Today it is a place of remembrance.
POTSDAM
 Is situated about 30 km SW of Berlin.
 It was the official residence of the Electors of Brandenburg.
 The Swedes sacked it during the Thirty Years War (1618 – 1648).
 It was rebuilt by Friedrich Wilhelm I.
 French Huguenots settled here following the Edict of Potsdam.
 It is seen as a Prussian Versailles.
 The Potsdam Conference held 2 August 1945, saw the agreement by the victorious Allies for
the partitioning of Germany (Churchill, then Atlee, Roosevelt, and Stalin).
 The Sans-Souci Palace is built in Rococco style. It is an imposing lavishly decorated
Baroque palace with some 400 rooms and a 200 m frontage.
FRIENDENSAU
 Situated a little to the east of Magdeburg.
 Travelling westwards on the autobahn from Berlin, take the Theeen exit towards Burg. At
the village of Grabow, turn left for Friedensau.
 If travelling eastwards from Hannover take the Burg exit into the town then turn right for
Theeen or Grabow. At Grabow turn right for Friedensau.
 Friedensau is the Theological University for the SDA church in Germany
 An SDA retirement home is also situated here
 Remember it is just 1.5 hrs drive from here to Wittenberg.
MAGDEBURG
 Situated midway along the Elbe River just south of the E8 autobahn and some 120 km SW
of Berlin.
 About the end of the 10th century Otto built a palace, made Magdeburg an archbishopric and
the town developed a well-developed commercial life.
 The Magdeburg Stadtrecht (Magdeburg Law) of 1188 established an autonomous system of
municipal administration that served as a model for many other cities.
 In the 13th century it became a member of the Hanseatic League.
 In the spring of 1497 Martin Luther was sent here by his father to begin his schooling at a
school run by the Brethren of Common Life – also known as the Troilus or Zero Brothers.
 Luther either lived with the Brothers or with Paul Mosshauer who came from Mansfeld.
 Martin Luther was taken by his father from here at Easter 1598 and sent to the Latin school
at Eisenach.
 In 1513 Albrecht von Brandenburg was elected Archbishop even though he already held the
title Bishop of Mainz.
 He borrowed heavily to pay the pope for the right to hold multiple posts.
 With the pope’s blessing he sent Tetzel to sell indulgences in Magdeburg, Halberstadt, and
Mainz.
 This resulted in Martin Luther being stirred to post his 95 Theses in Wittenberg.
 Half of the proceeds of the indulgences went to the Fuggers to pay off the loan – the other
half went to Pope Leo for his needs and the building of St. Peters.
 Magdeburg became a centre of Protestantism as the Reformation started
 One of the ladies on the Lutherdenkmal in Worms represents Magdeburg.
 In 1523 Mayor Nicholas Sturm pleaded to carry out Luther’s Reformation measures and the
next year evangelical pastors were appointed to all of the parish churches.
 Luther arrived in Magdeburg (on the invitation of Sturm), preaching in the Marktkirche St
Johannis on 26 June 1524.
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He returned the next month and preached 3 July leaving such an impression that on 17 July
nearly all the churches of Magdeburg declared for the Lutheran faith.
At this time Luther sent Nicholas Amsdorf who was appointed pastor of the Ulrichskirche.
The Elector then appointed Amsdorf as Superintendent.
Amsdorf, with the help of Melanchthon, set up a school in the former Augustinian
monastery and Caspar Cruciger was the first rector and Luther’s friend Martin Agricola
became choirmaster.
Between 1547 and 1562 a ban was placed on the city by the emperor because after the
defeat of the Schmalkaldic League it refused to allow the reinstatement of Catholicism.
In May 1631, during the Thirty Years War, General Johann von Tilly burned and sacked the
city with his marauding troops of the Catholic League almost destroying it. He stripped the
remaining inhabitants naked, scourged them, cropped their ears and yoked them together.
In 1730 General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben who disciplined and trained the American
Revolutionary Army into a fighting force during the winter of 1778, was born in Magdeburg.
In 1806 General Kleist surrendered to Napoleon after a siege of several weeks.
Otto von Guericke was the mayor and a physicist famous for his experiments on vacuum. A
monument to him is by the Rathaus.
Having developed into a centre for mechanical engineering, it became a target for Allied
aerial bombardment and on 16 January 1945 over 80% of the town was destroyed.
Wallonerkirche St. Augustini (Walloon Church of St. Augustine)
 It was built in 1295 and consecrated in 1366.
 Luther visited the Augustinian monastery in 1517.
 The monastery was abandoned at the beginning of the Reformation and served as a hospital
for the poor.
 The Reformed Walloon parish took over the church in 1694.
 It burned in 1945.
Other Places of Interest
 Dom St. Mauritius und St. Katharina (Cathedral of St. Maurice and St. Catherine).
 The Rathaus with its monument to Otto von Guericke
GOSLAR
 Situated about 70 km south from the Autobahn 2 at Braunschweig and 15 km west from
below Bienenburg
 It was a town noted for the mining of lead and silver during the middle ages.
 The mines are still worked but now tourism is the main attraction of the town.
 The old buildings such as the Townhall on the Marktplatz and the Chamber of Allegiance
(Huldigungssaal) date to 1450 adding to the medieval charm of the town.
 There are carved half-timbered houses on Schuhhof Square just to the NW of the Town Hall.
 Other buildings like the Imperial Palace (Kaiserpfalz) and the Wide Gate are interesting.
HANNOVER
 Hannover is the capital of Lower Saxony and one of the main cities in northern Germany.
 The Duke Ernst-August married Princess Sophia (granddaughter of James 1 of England) in
1658 giving a claim to succession in England.
 In 1714 the Elector Georg-Ludwig, son of Princess Sophia, found himself heir to the crown of
England and became George I.
 The court returned to Hannover in 1837 as the Salic Law of Hannover did not recognise the
accession of women to the throne (Queen Victoria).
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The Grosser Garten was started in 1666 and with maze hedges and a water jet 82 m high,
is very impressive.
The Kestner Museum, besides having antiquities from Egypt (head of Amenophis IV) and
Rome, has its ground floor dedicated to numismatics/4
The Marienkirche on Marienstrae has an old cemetery behind it. The tomb of Caroline
Herschel is here with the inscription, “This grave will not be opened in eternity.” This wording
indicates that the person buried there has bought the land, and should never be moved.
Caroline had also made the challenge “If there is a God, let Him break the bands of my
tomb”. The tomb is almost open and the metal bands broken by a tree.
CELLE
 Celle is situated about 30 km NE of Hannover.
 This city was 1000 years old in 1990.
 It is a tourist town with its 480 well preserved half-timbered houses in the centre of the city.
 It gives the impression of a town from the 16th to 18th centuries.
 Celle has been associated with three notable women.
 Eléonore d’Olbreuse was a beautiful Huguenot from Poitou in France and was married to
Georg-Wilhelm, the last of the Guelph Dukes. As Duchess she brought a French influence
to the court.
 Sophia-Dorothy was Eléonore’s daughter and was married to George I of England (originally
from Hannover). From this marriage George II was born and also a daughter – the mother of
Frederick the Great. Sophia had a love affair with Count Philipp of Königsmark and was
banished to Ahlden Castle.
 Caroline Matilda of England the wife of Christian VII of Denmark, spent her last days in Celle
Castle because of an ill-fated affair with Struensee, a minister and advisor to the King.
BERGEN-BELSEN
 Is situated about 10 km north of Winsen, past the small village of Win Walle; also about 25
km north-west of Celle; and about 30 km south of Soltau on Autobahn 7 joining Hamburg to
Hannover.
 It is a concentration camp built by the National Socialists.
 A small museum commemorates the 50,000 who perished here including Anne Frank.
HAMBURG
 The second city of Germany and its principal port at the mouth of the Elbe River.
 Charlemagne founded Hamburg around 810.
 Hamburg has long been involved with trade, warehousing and shipbuilding. Today over 60
million tons of shipping is handled with over 15,000 ships docking annually.
 In 1913 the Hamburg-Amerika Line was the world’s largest shipping company.
 Germany’s first Stock Exchange commenced here in 1558.
 Hamburg became a free Imperial City in 1618 and the next year the Bank of Hamburg was
founded.
 Two tunnels under the Elbe have been dug for traffic – the first in 1910, and the second (the
longest in Europe – 3 km) in 1975.
 Hamburg is Germany’s media centre for newspapers, radio and TV.
 Adventist history was made when Conradi made Hamburg his base for reaching across
Europe and the Baltic States and as far as Russia, Egypt, the Middle East and Africa.
 The Adventist printing house located here has been sold. The Publishing part has moved to
Lüneburg some 50 km southeast.
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Münster
 Munster is situated on the Ems River about 160 km west of Hannover and 120 km NE of
Köln.
 Munster is the capital of Westphalia and a university centre.
 In 1533/34 some of the disciples of Melchior Hofmann an Anabaptist arrived here
 In February 1534 with the election of Knipperdollinck as the mayor the city became an
enclave of radical Anabaptists intent on making this city the ‘New Jerusalem’.
 A reign of terror and orgies resulted with polygamy being introduced.
 The city was freed on 24 June 1535 and the ringleaders jailed, tortured and then executed.
 Their bodies suspended in iron cages from the tower of St. Lambert’s Church (the iron cages
are still there).
 It is noted that the Treaty of Westphalia was agreed here in 1648, ending the Thirty Years
War and giving rights to Calvinists, Lutherans and Catholics. France received Alsace and
the bishoprics of Metz, Toul, and Verdun.
 The Peace Hall (Friedenssaal) has paintings and reminders of the Peace Treaty.
XANTEN
 Xanten is situated just south of the Rhine about 25km from the Netherlands border and
about 60 km NW of Düsseldorf.
 It was the birthplace of Siegfried of the Nibelungen saga and a Roman town.
 It honours St. Victor of the Theban Legion.
 The Archaeological Park (Archäologischer Park) is north of the town near the diggings. A
Roman house with walls around it, bathhouse etc, has been reconstructed.
 Xanten was one of the most northerly positions of the Romans in Europe, having a fortress
with 2000 soldiers.
 The town has been about 70% rebuilt. Note the Temple of Apollo and the hot and cold water
system.
KEVELAER
 Is situated about 10 km inside Germany and some 20 km SW of Xanten.
 It is a well-known place of pilgrimage. Many little shops sell devotionals.
 Visit the main church with its candle chapel (Kerzenkapelle). The devotionals sold in the
town are blessed here – as every 30 minutes a priest blesses them with holy water.
KÖLN (Cologne)
 Is situated on the Rhine’s west bank some 40 km SE of Düsseldorf and 80 km NW from
Koblenz.
 It is one of Germany’s largest cities.
 Its history goes back 2000 years, and Roman ruins are found in the Zeughausstrae – in
front of the Cathedral and at the Praetorium underneath the Town Hall.
 Constantine established a bishopric here in the 4th century and this became an archbishopric
under Charlemagne.
 The Central Rail station (Hauptbanhof) is in front of the Cathedral (Kölner Dom).
 This huge Gothic Cathedral is a great sight built from 1248 to the middle of the 16th century
 A large building firm does nothing but continually repair the cathedral.
 Archbishop’s tombstones, a 14th century altar and a jewelled shrine to the Three Kings from
1220 are here.
 The 509 steps to the spire (100 m) lead to a great view of the Cathedral with its hundreds of
smaller spires.
 In the belfry is the biggest swinging bell in the world – the clapper weighs 800 kg.
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BONN
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Bonn is situated some 30 km south of Köln on the Rhine.
It was the capital of the Federal Republic until the re-unification of Germany.
Ludwig van Beethoven was born in the Beethovenhaus.
Today it is a museum with the organ on which he practised, as well as his violin, ear trumpet
etc.
The museum is just 200 m or so NW of the Rathaus.
Beethoven left Bonn at age 22 for Vienna an accomplished musician in violin, viola,
harpsichord etc.
AACHEN
 Is situated at the extreme western point of Germany near the Netherlands and Belgian
border – some 20 km from Maastricht in the Netherlands – and some 70 km WSW of Köln.
 Hot springs here were used as thermal baths by the Romans.
 Charlemagne made it the capital of his Frankish Empire in 768.
 He is buried in the Octagon of the Palatine Chapel of the Cathedral.
 His bones are behind the altar in the Charlemagne shrine.
 The Throne of Charlemagne is on the upper floor (west side) and only seen with a guided
tour.
 The Treasury (Domschatzkammer) is one of the richest in Germany.
 It has the Cross of Lothair with a cameo of Emperor Augustus and precious stones.
 A bust of Charlemagne in silver and gold is on the ground floor.
 The Town Hall (Rathaus) was built in the 14th century on the site of Charlemagne’s palace.
 The Peace Treaty of 1748 was signed here ending the War of Austrian Succession.
 The crown of Charlemagne, frescoes of him and copies of the crown jewels are in the
Coronation Chamber on the upper floor.
 Also here, are the weapons and accoutrements of Charlemagne along with some valuable
Gospels.
 Here, at the Town Hall, the Charlemagne Prize is awarded annually to the person who is
thought to have worked best for the unification of Europe.
KOBLENZ
 Is situated on the Rhine River some 60 km SE of Bonn and on the confluence of the Rhine
and Moselle.
 A great romantic experience is a four-hour trip on the Rhine from Koblenz to Mainz or
Bingen, or Bingen to Loreley (Lorelei) and return
 The Moselle also offers great scenic tours – a narrow river with vineyards and castles and
castle ruins make it a must.
 At Deutsches Eck overlooking the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle is the base where an
equestrian statue of Wilhelm stood for many years (until the World War II). It has since been
restored.
 The snake-like depictions on the eastern side of the monument are almost Aztec-like.
 Here the knights of the Teutonic Order met around 1190.
 The Teutonic Order of Knights was formed in the City Library, in the old castle by the
Baldvinbrücke.
 St. Castor’s Church (on the river promontory near Deutches Eck) is where, in an earlier
basilica, the Treaty of Verdun was drawn up in 843, which divided Charlemagne’s empire.
 The Ehrenbreitstein Citadel is about 5 km over the Rhine from Koblenz guarding the
confluence of the two rivers.
 It belonged to the archbishops of Trier until 1799 when it was destroyed by the French.
 The current structure was built by the Prussians between 1816 and 1832.
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A Youth Hostel occupies some of the castle now.
MAINZ
 Situated at the junction of the Rhine and Main Rivers about 45 km SW of Frankfurt
 It was established as a Roman outpost in 39 BC
 In 1096 there was persecution Jews by rampaging Crusaders and the destruction of Jewish
quarters
 In 1194 at the Diet of Mainz, Richard the Lionheart is released upon payment of a ransom
and a vow of vassalage to Henry VI.
 About 1450 Johann Gensfleisch von Gutenberg begins printing the Bible
 Mainz is the capital of the Rhineland-Palatinate and a centre for the Rhine wine trade.
The Cathedral of St. Martin and St. Stephen
 It has been a landmark since construction began in 975.
 It is modelled on St. Peters in Rome.
 Henry IV commissioned an extension in 1100.
 The present building dates to 1879 having escaped destruction in WWII.
 IT was from here that the Archbishop of Mainz and Magdeburg commissioned Tetzel to sell
indulgences in 1517. This precipitated Luther nailing his 95 theses on the Castle Church
door in Wittenberg, and thus propelled the Reformation.
Gutenberg Museum
 Is situated in the house Zum Römischen Kaiser at Am Liebfrauenplatz 5 – near the
Cathedral and just across the street to the east.
 It is open Tuesday to Saturday 1000 – 1800 hrs and Sunday 1100 – 1300 hrs.
 The building dates to 1664, and was originally an inn
 Outside in the portico is the sandstone monument (by Joseph Scholl) to Johannes
Gutenberg that was erected in 1900 on the 500th anniversary of his birth.
 Nearby in the Marktplatz is the bronze bust of Gutenberg by the Finnish sculptor Waino
Aaltonen.
 The Museum has a replica of Gutenberg’s printing press and print shop with demonstrations
given at 1130 hrs or by appointment.
 In the treasury room upstairs (a humidity -controlled vault) the copy of Gutenberg’s original
Bible is in two volumes – the OT and the NT totalling 1282 pages. Flash photos are NOT
permitted.
 Other displays here consist of the history of paper, examples of printing and the works of
Gutenberg.
Mainz Market
 Is held in the Marktplatz each Tuesday, Friday and Saturday (until 1400 hrs) around the
Market Fountain near the Cathedral.
 The Latin inscription on the Marktbrunnen or Market Fountain commemorates the victory of
Charles V over Francis I of France at the Battle of Pavia. It dates from 1526 and was
commissioned by the Elector and archbishop Albert of Brandenburg.
 In the centre of the marketplace is a pillar of stone (Heunensäule) 6.5 m high and weighing
16 tons – erected in 1975.
 The links of the city of Mainz is seen here by four items – a Roman gladiators helmet –
signifying its links with Rome, an imperial crown and episcopal mitre – showing its links with
church and state, and the Jacobean head covering – its relationship with the Council of
Eleven.
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Church of St. John
 Is situated directly behind the Cathedral – the opposite end from the Gutenberg Museum.
 It has been a Protestant Church since 1828
 It is the oldest religious structure in Mainz.
Gutenberg Platz
 Is situated two blocks behind the Cathedral on Ludwigstrae.
 A bronze statue is here to Gutenberg. It was created by a Danish sculptor and cast in Paris.
 The 50th parallel of latitude crosses the square with the line marked in the paving stones.
Commenda of the Knights of Jerusalem of the Holy Sepulchre
 Is situated about two short blocks south from the Church of St. John away from the
Cathedral
 It was the administrative headquarters of the Knights of Jerusalem between 1740 and 1748.
 Around 1800 it became a Napoleonic artillery school
The Cherry Garden (Kirschgaten)
 Is an area situated about five blocks south-west of the Cathedral
 It has restored buildings from 500 years ago and is one of the most picturesque parts of
Mainz.
 The fountain has a figure of the Madonna over it.
 By the former house of the Baker’s guild (Zum Beymberg) is a petrified stump of a cherry
tree.
MARIENHÖHE (DARMSTADT)
 Is situated about 35 km south of Frankfurt and the same south-east of Mainz
 An SDA College is here (about 1 km from the tram or take taxi from the station)
 In the city of Darmstadt there is the Renaissance Rathaus, the Castle (Schloss) both the
New Castle and the Old Castle and Prince George’s Palace.
WORMS
 Situated on the Rhine about 45 km SW of Darmstadt, 40 km south of Mainz and 20 km
north of Mannheim and Ludwigshafen.
 Early in the 5th century, it was the centre of the Burgundians.
 In 436 the Huns defeated the Burgundians who moved to Geneva.
 From 614 it has been a bishopric which increased in power, until in the 11th century the
bishop was in total control of the city.
 The long-standing controversy of the 11th century over who had the right to invest bishops
(king or pope) was resolved here in 1122 with the Concordat of Worms.
 Worms became a free Imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire in 1156.
 On 26 March 1521, the Imperial Herald Kaspar Sturm delivered a summons to Luther. (See
Appendix 1)
 It gave him three weeks to appear before the Diet.
 On April 2 he began his journey preaching all along the way as a champion instead of an
excommunicated monk.
 Luther arrived in Worms on 16 April by way of Martin’s Gate.
 Aleander was the prosecutor to condemn Luther in this trial.
 Luther failed to get the disputation he requested and on 17 April was called before the
emperor who was staying in the Bishop’s palace. Luther begged for time and was given a
day.
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On 18 April – never having been given a chance to explain or debate he made his famous
speech.
Luther stayed in Worms for 10 days – April 16 – 25, 1521.
The Edict of Worms was issued in May 1521 placing Luther and his supporters under the
ban of the Empire. This made him an outlaw.
From 1526 the Lutherans used the Dominican Church on Römerstrae for their services
forcing the Dominicans to make do with the choir area.
During the Middle Ages the city was the home of the Reich’s Parliament and over 100
Sessions were held here.
The city of Worms was almost destroyed in the Palatinate War of Succession (1688 – 97)
It became part of France from 1797 to 1801 as a result of Napoleon’s power.
Dom St. Peter and St. Paul (The Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul)
 Situated on Domplatz and bounded by Neumarkt Strae (becomes Kammererstrae)
 With its six mighty towers and domes it dominates the city, standing on the site of the ancient
Roman Forum.
 While earlier churches and cathedrals were built and rebuilt here, the plan of the present
building is essentially that from 1181.
 The cathedral is an example of the purest Romanesque style in Germany.
 It is decorated with many impressive demons and grotesque gargoyles.
 One depiction shows a demon trying to cause a shipwreck.
 On its northern façade is an inscription, “Here is one of the most memorable places in the
West. Here was the Holy Temple of the Romans, the Royal Fortress of the Niebulung, the
palace of Charlemagne.”
 The huge baroque altar is an extravaganza in gold and marble with four Apostles pointing to
the Madonna and child.
 The highly decorated side chapel of St. Nicholas has a lion baptismal font and a winged
altar.
 It has remained the chief church here of the Catholic Church
The Heylshofgaten
 Is the park beside the Cathedral on the northern side.
 Recently a charge is made and entry times are restricted.
 This was the site where the Bishop’s palace stood in Luther’s day.
 Luther’s ‘opponent’ was Dr. Johannes Eck from Ingolstadt – (See Appendix 2).
 Here Luther was called to recant and where he made his famous stand (Lutherreichstas).
 A sandstone plaque bedded in the ground marks the site where Luther came before the
Emperor. It is on the side of the park away from the Cathedral and behind the small building
(the Heylshof – an art gallery) on the northern side of the park.
 At the back of the park on the western side are the remains of the old city wall. Interesting
inscriptions and decorations are here.
Luther Denkmal (Luther Monument)
 It is situated one block north of the Heylshofgarten in the park.
 Its GPS co-ordinates are: N 49 37.931’ E 08 21.616’.
 It was unveiled in 1868
 It is one of the largest Reformation monuments.
 Luther is in the centre – larger than life – holding the Bible.
 Four people who paved the way for the Reformation are seated – John Wycliffe, Peter
Waldo, John Hus and Hieronymous Savanarola.
 Scenes from Luther’s life as well as others are on the sides.
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Luther’s contemporaries are along the perimeter wall – Frederick the Wise, Philipp the
Landgrave of Hesse, Philipp Melanchthon, and Johannes Reuchlin a scholar from
Ingolstadt.
The three seated women represent Protestant cities – “Speyer Protesting” the Imperial Diet
of 1529; “Magdeburg Mourning” – besieged and plundered 1631; and “Augsburg” with the
palm of Peace – the Augsburg Confession of 1530 and the Peace of Augsburg of 1555.
The artist put himself in the back right hand corner.
Also Charles V the Emperor and Doctor Eck – Luther’s opponent from Ingolstadt are shown.
The Magnuskirche
 Situated on Andreasring – just to the south of the cathedral (across the road).
 Its GPS co-ordinates are: N 49 37.730’ E 08 21.493’.
 It was the first church to be claimed by the Reformation.
Museum der Stadt Worms
 Situated just beyond the parking area near the Magnuskirche on Andreasring.
 Open Tuesday to Sunday 1000 – 1200 and 1400 – 1700 hrs.
 Formerly the buildings were part of a monastery connected with the St. Andrew’s Church.
 Has some of Luther’s original writings and other exhibits of the Diet in the Lutherzimmer
 The most valuable Bible is a parchment Bible of 1541 containing a comment of Luther in his
handwriting in the margin
The Johanniterhof
 Is in Hartgasse on the northern side of the street a short distance from Kammererstrae.
 Its GPS co-ordinates are: N 49 37.920’ E 08 21.755’.
 It was the site of the inn where Martin Luther stayed in 1521 (being denied access to the
Augustinian monastery having been excommunicated)
 There is a plaque noting this about the first floor level.
Holy Trinity Church
 Situated on Kammererstrae next to the Rathaus and diagonally opposite the Cathedral.
 It was built in 1725.
 It has banners that tell the story of Luther’s life, Erfurt, Wittenberg, Wartburg etc.
The Rathaus
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Situated almost opposite the Cathedral on Kammererstrae beside the Holy Trinity Church.
It has a zodiacal clock on its façade.
Luther Tree Stump
 Situated in a western suburb of Pfiffligheim.
 The legend says that two women were arguing about Luther.
 One said “As sure as this cane takes root and grows, so true is Luther’s teaching” as she
pushed her cane into the ground.
 It grew into an elm tree.
 The tree was cut down in 1949 after being damaged by storms.
The Gates of Worms
 At the northern end of Friedrichstrae is St. Martin’s Gate.
 Luther entered Worms by this gate on 16 April 1521.
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Luther’s Pförtchen (Luther’s Gate or portal) directly east three or four blocks from the
Rathaus has no connection with Martin Luther.
SEE APPENDIX 1 for BIOGRAPHY of MARTIN LUTHER
SEE APPENDIX 2 for BIOGRAPHY of JOHN ECK
SEE APPENDIX 3 FOR DETAILS OF ALEANDER
TRIER
 Trier is situated in the western area of the Rhineland-Palatinate on the Mosel River some
170 km from Worms – take the Autobahn 6 west through Kaiser Lautern then northwest on
the Autobahn 62 then the Autobahn 1 from Nonnweiler.
 Julius Caesar conquered Gaul and brought this area under Roman control.
 It is Germany’s oldest city being founded by Augustus in 16 BC.
 Diocletian made this city his residence towards the end of the third century AD.
 Constantine I lived here from 306 – 316 AD.
 Constantine built his palace Aula Palatina.
 This became a Lutheran church and the altar is where Constantine had his throne.
 At the time it was known as the Second Rome.
 Later the city was controlled by the Franks until 870 AD when it was ceded to East Francia
which became known as Germany. It became part of Prussia in 1815.
 The Kaiserthermen is an ancient Roman Baths complex dating to the early 4th century by
Constantine
 Karl Marx was born here.
 The imposing Porta Nigra is a massive city gate built by the Romans towards the end of the
second century AD.
 The Cathedral (Dom) is reputed to have been built on the site of a palace of Helena –
Constantine’s mother – and has the relic of the sacred tunic of Jesus for which the Roman
soldiers gambled with dice.
SPEYER
 Situated on the Rhine about 95 km south of Mainz, 40 km south of Worms and 20 km south
of Ludwigshafen and 20 km SW of Heidelberg.
 It is one of the oldest cities of the Rhine, being founded by the Romans about 10BC.
 It has been a bishopric since the 4th century.
 Conrad II made Speyer the centre of his realm after becoming Emperor in 1027.
 Eight German kings from this dynasty ruled from here.
 In 1077 King Henry IV set off to Canossa to ask for absolution and restoration of his power
after being excommunicated.
 It was a free Imperial city from 1294 to 1797, and 50 sessions of the Imperial parliament took
place here.
 In 1526 at the Diet of Speyer each state and free city was given the right to choose their
manner of dealing with Luther etc. It was a compromise, as the emperor and the pope were
almost at war.
 In 1529 with the pope and emperor reconciled, Charles V wanted the restoration of the old
order and hoped the Catholic majority would guarantee it.
 The Protestant Princes “protested” claiming the validity of the 1526 Diet’s decision.
 They published their protest and the word “Protestant” was formed.
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More than 50 Diets met in Speyer, including that of 1146 when Bernard of Clairvaux won the
support of Conrad III for the Crusade.
Speyer was one of the cities of the Reformation. In 1540 the Augustinian Prior was
appointed the “Protestant Preacher of Speyer.”
Gradually the Lutherans were given five churches.
In 1576 the papal nuncio visited Speyer clandestinely. There were only 30 Catholics in the
town other than the clergy and their servants.
Louis XIV of France had the city burnt to the ground in 1689.
The Kaiserdom (Cathedral)
 Known officially as the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Stephen – often just Mariendom, or just
the Kaiserdom zu Speyer – because the emperor ordered its construction.
 Situated on Domplatz with streets radiating from it.
 Its GPS co-ordinates are: N 49 19.032’ E 08 26.483’.
 It is the largest Romanesque edifice in Europe and the greatest building of its time.
 It is constructed using red sandstone.
 Was commenced by Conrad II in 1030 and completed by Henry IV (aged 11 yrs) in 1061.
 The east towers are 72 m (236 feet) high.
 The Cathedral was burnt just leaving the walls standing in 1689 by Louis XIV of France.
 It was restored between 1772 and 1784, but 10 years later in 1794 the French again
desecrated it.
 King Ludwig of Bavaria restored it between 1846 and 1853.
 It was finally restored from 1957to 1961 to its original shape.
 See the square baptistery (St. Emmaramus’ Chapel) before the south transept.
 There is a sculpture “The Mount of Olives” in he south garden – restored in the 19th century.
 Outside the front of the Cathedral is the huge sandstone Cathedral Bowl (Domnapf)
 Its co-ordinates are N 49 19.036’ E 08 26.483’.
 It holds 1580 litres.
 It was built in 1490.
 This was filled with wine by and when a new bishop entered the town for his induction (and
of course sampled by all attendees).
 The location of the large cathedral bowl marked the boundary between the church and town
territories.
The Crypt
 It has the finest and largest Romanesque crypt in Europe.
 Four emperors, three empresses and four German kings are buried here, including Henry IV
of Canossa fame and his wife.
 There is also a row of bishop’s tombs.
 Under the centre of the vault is a Romanesque stone basin, supposed to be a copy of the
Holy Grail.
 Henry V could not bury his father Henry IV in the crypt on his death until his
excommunication could be revoked.
The Diet of Speyer
 There is a red plaque on the building on the corner - directly in front of the Cathedral, on the
right hand side.
 Its co-ordinates are N 49 19.056’ E 08 26.437’.
 This was the site where the Diet of Speyer in 1529 was held and the word “Protestant” was
born when the Lutheran princes “protested.” Notes the word “Protestation” on the plaque.
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Altportal (Old City Gate)
 Is situated down along the Maximilianstrasse or “Via Triumphalis” – the street that begins
right in front of the Cathedral.
 It is a rugged 13th century gateway (1230AD).
 It is a 55m tower and part of the old city fortifications that remain.
Gedächtniskirche (Memorial Church)
 Also known as the Retscherkirche – is the main Protestant church in the Palatinate.
 It was built from 1893 to 1904.
 It was built to commemorate the “protest” of 1529.
 A statue of Luther its in the entrance hall.
Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Trinity Chapel)
 Is the city parish church.
 Was built from 1701 – 1717.
 Is one of the most important Protestant churches.
 OT and NT scenes are depicted on the ceiling.
Judenbad (Jewish Baths)
 Situated not far from the Cathedral.
 Access is via the Judengasse, southwest from the Cathedral.
 The complex dates to the 11th and 12th centuries.
 It was part along with a synagogue of the Jewish Quarter.
 Stairs with double doors lead down to a change room on the left, and a single set of stairs
lead further down (about 10 m) to where the bath was located.
HEIDELBERG
 Situated about 30 km NE of Speyer and the same SE of Ludwigshafen on the Neckar River.
 It is the symbol of German Romanticism.
 It is a university city with 30,000 students attending German’s oldest university (1386).
 Heidelberg was a Protestant city of the Reformation.
 The town was razed by Louis XIV in 1689 and by fire in 1693.
The Castle (Heidelberger Schloss)
 Is in the centre of the city.
 The Elizabeth Gate was built in a single night to surprise the wife of Friedrich V (Elizabeth
Stuart – daughter of James I of England).
 There are many aspects of the castle,
 The Great Vat is of significance – holding 221,725 litres of wine, which could be drawn with
the use of a pump in the royal banqueting hall.
 The German Pharmaceutical Museum is of interest with modern equipment as well as an
alchemist’s laboratory.
The Knight’s House (Haus Zum Ritter)
 Is a bourgeois mansion built for a Huguenot merchant in 1592.
Student’s Gaol
 Not far from the Knight’s House.
 It was for unruly students. Graffiti is part of their heritage left here.
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The Church of the Jesuits
 It was built here in the early part of the 18th century.
 Its main façade is a copy of the Jesuit Church in Rome.
FREIBURG
 Situated some 70 km south of Strassbourg and the same NE of Basel.
 Here ion May 1770, Marie-Antoinette the Archduchess left Austrian territory to proceed to
Strassbourg to be met by Cardinal Rohan in the name of France as the bride of Louis XVI –
and later to become victim of the guillotine.
 Michael Sattler – an Anabaptist leader born at Stauffen in Breisgau near Freiburg about
1490 came here to study at the Benedictine Monastery of St. Peter.
The Cathedral
 It was commenced in 1200.
 Above the door on the north side is the Tympanum, carved about 1350, illustrates ‘Original
Sin’.
 The archivolt pictures the Creation of the World according to Genesis.
 On the right of this is the rare representation of the Creator resting on the seventh day.
 In the West porch on the left wall, Satan is shown as the ‘Prince of this world’ followed by a
victim, the Wise Virgins and other Biblical characters. On the right wall are the Foolish
Virgins.
Rathausplatz
 Here is a monument to Berthold Schwarz, a Franciscan who is said to have invented
gunpowder.
HORB
 Located about 25 km east of Freudenstadt.
 Michael Sattler, an Anabaptist leader had travelled to Schleitheim (some 18 km northwest of
Schaffhausen) to address an Anabaptist conference. The Schleitheim Confession was
adopted. On his return to Horb, Sattler and his wife and friends were arrested.
BINSDORF
 Michael Sattler was moved from Horb to the Tower of Binsdorf – because of the large
number of Anabaptist supporters in the Horb area.
 King Ferdinand of Austria had declared “the third baptism” – drowning the best antidote to
Anabaptists.
 Sattler was taken to Rottenburg for trial – and then martyrdom.
ROTTENBURG a.N.
 Situated approx 45 km southwest from Stuttgart and the same distance east of
Freudenstadt.
 The trial of Michael Sattler convened here 17 May 1527.
 He was accused of “teaching and believing the body and blood of Christ were not present in
the sacrament”; “that infant baptism was not promotive of salvation”; “reviling and despising
the mother of God”; “marrying a wife”; “condemned the saints”; and “starting a new custom
– putting the bread and wine on a plate and eating the same”.
 He was sentenced 18 May and executed 20 May 1`527.
 Commencing at the market place, a piece was cut from his tongue and pieces of flesh torn
off his body with red-hot tongs. Tied to a cart, the process was repeated five times along
the way.
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Finally he was tied to a ladder and pushed into the fire while he said “Father I commend my
spirit into Thy hands”.
Eight days later his wife was drowned in the Neckar River.
KONSTANZ (CONSTANCE)
 Situated on the Bodensee (Lake Constance), and on both sides of the Rhine as it
commences its journey from the lake.
 Early Celtic people lived here when the Romans came about 300 AD under Constantius
Chlorus.
 Konstanz has never been damaged by any wars.
 It was here that the conclave the Council of Constance (1414 – 1418) met to resolve the
schism that divided the church when three popes ruled at once.
 At this time John Hus was condemned as a heretic to be martyred. (See Appendix 3)
 John Wycliffe – although dead for 30 years – was also condemned as a heretic and his
bones were ordered to be exhumed and burnt. He was condemned on 250 counts.
 Cheap accommodation is available at the Youth Hostel on the north side of the River Rhine
– Jugendherberge Konstanz Phone 07531 32260

The Cathedral of Constance
 The GPS co-ordinates of the cathedral are: N 47 39.844’ E 09 10.520’.
 The trial proceeded in the Cathedral of Constance.
 Emperor Sigismund and Pope John XXII – one of the three rival popes – had given Hus a
safe-conduct pass. Later the emperor himself was imprisoned here.
 Despite the pass and its promises it was said, “faith ought not to be kept with heretics.”
 Hus had broken the conditions of the safe-conduct by celebrating mass and preaching en
route to Konstanz.
 After his trial, a dunce cap with demons and the title “Arch-heretic” was placed on Hus.
 He replied. “Most joyfully will I wear this cross of shame, for Thy sake, O Jesus, who for me
did wear a crown of thorns.”
The Martyrdom Site or Hussenstein
 John Hus from Prague in Bohemia was burnt at the stake on 6 July 1415. His ashes were
scattered on the Rhine.
 The martyrdom site is situated on the Alten Graben and is marked by the Hussenstein
Memorial Stone.
 Its GPS co-ordinates are: N 47 39.672’ E 09 09.852’.
 Jerome did not have a safe-conduct pass. He started out, decided to return, but was
captured and imprisoned. He was also burnt at the same place the next year. His name is
on the reverse of the Hussenstein Stone.
 Martin Luther wrote in his commentary on Isaiah, “The Gospel we now have was bought for
us with the blood of Hus and Hieronimus (Jerome).”
 One of Hus’ mottoes was “The Truth is Victorious”.
Insel Hotel
 Is situated on a small island just near whee the Lake empties into the Rhine.
 The GPS co-ordinates are: N 47 39.885’ E 09 10.712’.
 It was a Dominican monastery – built in 1235.
 After a few days imprisonment under the Münster, Hus was imprisoned here.
 He became very sick because of the appalling conditions and was transferred to Gottlieben
Castle on the Rhine about 2 km downstream.
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The Konzilbebäude
 It is situated on the waterfront near the railway station (bahnhof).
 The GPS co-ordinates are: N 47 39.675’ E 09 10.696’.
 It was built in 1388.
 It is sometimes referred to as the Kaufhaus.
 This was the site of the Diet of Constance in 1414 – 1418. In 1417 with two rival popes
stepping down and the third recalcitrant in Spain, Martin V was elected pope and was
supported by the whole church – ending the schism.
 A plaque on the eastern end of the building notes the election of Martin V in 1417.
Memorial to Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin
 The memorial is in front of the Konzilgebäude towards the lake.
 Its GPS co-ordinates are: N 47 39.661’ E 09 10.761’.
 It commemorates Zeppelin who was born in Konstanz in 1838 and built the airship in 1900.
Imperial Harbour Statue
 Is situated at the end of the left arm of the harbour wall in front of the Konzilgebaüde.
 Its GPS co-ordinates are: N 47 39.646’ E 09 10.861’.
 It is a slowly revolving statue 9 m high and weighing 18 tonnes.
 It was sculptured in 1993 by Peter Lenk after a story by Honoré de Balzac about a prostitute
at the Council of Constance who plied her trade to both king & pope.
 The statue is of a woman holding in her hands secular and spiritual power
 In one hand is a person with an imperial crown and in the other one with a tiara.
The City Hall (Rathaus)
 Is situated on the left hand side of the main street coming from the harbour and the
Konzilgebaüde – after Marktstätte becomes Kanzlei Str.
 It has a façade decorated with paintings of the history of Konstanz.
 Note the 16th century dwelling in the courtyard of the City Hall between the two round towers.
The Cathedral (Münster)
 Is situated on the highest point of the old town on Münsterplatz about four or five short
blocks due north of the Rathaus.
 It is a Romanesque Cathedral dating to the 11th century.
 Jacob Fugger donated the silver high altar in 1680
 The large bell in the tower weighs 7750 kg and was made in 1548
 A spiral staircase turret leads to the Treasury.
 A staircase to the right of the main door leads to the tower platform with a good view over the
town and lake. Admission charge.
 Hus was kept here for a few days on his arrest in Konstanz.
 It was here that the Papal Court tried Hus.
 The place where he stood during his trial is the central aisle by the 24th row.
 After the trial Hus was degraded and taken to his martyrdom site.
Monument in Main Street
 In the main street is an interesting monument of a peacock with three heads.
 This could have represented the time when 3 popes ruled at once prior to the Council of
Constance.
 Its GPS co-ordinates are: N 47 39.613’ E 09 10.504’
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Hus Haus
 Is situated on Hussenstrasse 64.
 Its GPS co-ordinates are: N 47 39.532’ E 09 10.260’.
 It is a museum with items associated with Hus – not the house in which he lived.
The Schnetztor
 Is the tower and reinforcements in the old city wall just along from Hus Haus – where the
Hussenstrasse meets the old wall.
 Its GPS co-ordinates are: N 47 39.519’ E 09 10.252’.
 It is situated just to the west of Hus Haus on Hussenstrasse.
 It is part of the medieval fortifications of the city dating to the 14th century.
Pulverturm and Rheintorturm
 On the Rhine riverbank are two old defensive towers the Pulverturm and the Rheintorturm.
 These are situated near the bridge as the Rhine flows out of Lake Constance.
 The Pulverturm was the Gunpowder Tower and was used at times as a prison. It is the
tower furthest from the lake.
 The Rheintorturm – closest to the lake was the Rhine Gate Tower (14th century).
 Statues of bishops and dukes stand between the two towers.
Strandbad Horn
 Is the largest – and most popular – beach on the lake.
 Take Bus 5 from the centre of the town
Mainau Island
 Is situated to the northeast across the Rhine and is accessible by a footbridge from the car
park.
 It has been referred to as the “Island of Flowers” – see the gardens around the palace.
 The palace was built by the Knights of the Teutonic Order
 It is beautiful and lush with gardens of tropical plants – even hibiscus.
 There are greenhouses and an arboretum and huge animals made of flowers and shrubs.
Tourist Information
 As in most towns – it is by the station – in Bahnhofplatz 13.
 Open Mon to Fri 0900 – 2000 hrs, Saturday 0900 – 1600 hrs, Sunday 1000 – 1300 hrs April
to October; and November – March Mon – Fri 0900 – 1200 and 1400 – 1800 hrs.
Gottlieben Castle (Switzerland)
 Is about 3 km from the centre of Konstanz.
 Coming from Zurich turn left a little short of the German border and travel north to the Rhine.
 Coming from Konstanz, take the road by the Lutheran church near the Alter Graben and
proceed about 1 km beyond the Swiss border
 The Castle is on the Swiss bank of the Rhine beside two hotels and is private property with
large trees shielding almost all of the castle.
 Here Hus was imprisoned – being transferred from the Dominican monastery on Insel Island.
 He was permitted no writing material whatsoever.
 The pope who arraigned him – Pope John XXIII also known as the anti-pope, was also
imprisoned here as the papal crown was finally given to Martin V – ending the schism and
the rival popes.
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SEE APPENDIX 4 for BIOGRAPHY of JOHN HUS
ULM
 Situated on the Dönau (Danube) River and the Stuttgart/München autobahn.
 As early as 1521, Heinrich von Kettenbach and Johann Aberlin von Günsberg who were
Franciscans, preached for reform.
 In 1524, Konrad Sam was the pastor and he continued to preach for reform and the authority
of Scripture.
 The same year the city council refused to enforce the Edict of Worms.
 In 1529 the city supported the Protestation at the Diet of Speyer.
 After 1530 and the Diet of Augsburg, the city was seen as Protestant.
 In 1531 Ulm invited Martin Bucer from Strassbourg, Johannes Occolampadius from Basel
and Ambrovius Blaver from Constance to help draft Protestant church orders for the city.
 Despite opposition from most ministers of the city the Mass was abolished on 16 June 1531
and images and altars were removed. Only the beautifully choir stalls were left.
 On 16 July 1531 the first Protestant communion service was held. By October the
Franciscans and Dominicans had left the city.
 In 1548 the Augsburg Interim was issued and the Emperor Charles V came to Ulm and the
Protestant Charter was revoked and the Mass reinstituted.
 In 1552 Protestantism was again embraced and in 1577 formally subscribed to the Augsburg
Confession.
 In 1879 Albert Einstein was born here.
 In 1944 Field Marshall Rommel was buried here following his suicide by poison following the
unsuccessful plot against Hitler.
The Cathedral (Munster)
 In June 1377 the first foundation stone was laid.
 Designed from 1377 to 1493 it was completed only in 1890.
 The tower foundations are between three and four metres deep.
 It is noted for the tallest spire on a church in the world – 161 m or 528 feet.
 768 steps lead to the top-viewing platform at 143 m.
 On clear days the Alps may be seen from here.
 Thirteen bells are installed.
 There are five great portals to the Cathedral. Shown are scenes from Genesis, saints and
the ‘Man of Sorrows’.
 The figurines of popes and bishops survived the stripping of most icons at the beginning of
the Reformation.
 The Last Judgment fresco can be seen by the entire congregation.
 A second pulpit high up among the column capitals – inaccessible – symbolises the sermon
delivered by the Holy Spirit – the invisible preacher.
 The Choir stalls.
 Note the wood carving dates from 1469 to1474.
 There are two series of people (a) from the Bible and (b) Pagan people.
 Men are on the left and women on the right.
 On the tall backs of the stalls are figures from the OT.
 On the sides of the stalls, the left side has Latin and Greek philosophers and the right Sibyls.
 The priest’s triple throne behind the altar completes the whole.
 This cathedral is a Lutheran church.
The Rathaus
 Is situated to the south of the cathedral in the Marktplatz.
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It is in the Gothic style – restored after WWII and shows frescoes from 1540.
It is covered with brilliantly coloured frescoes of religious subjects as well as allegories of
Vice and Virtue.
On the eastern façade Charlemagne and the kings of Hungary and Bohemia are seen.
There is an astronomical clock.
Inside the Rathaus a display features the equipment used by Berblinger in 1811 – “the Tailor
of Ulm”, who tried to fly over the Danube.
The Crooked House
 In the Fisherman’s Quarter (Fischerviertel) is the Crooked House (Schiefe Haus) from 1500,
tilting over the canal – or subsiding.
The Leaning Tower
 The Leaning Tower of Ulm, or Butcher’s Tower (Metzgerturm) slants two metres from the
vertical.
 This tower is a gate.
AUGSBURG
 Situated some 70 km NW of Munich (München) just south of the autobahn A8.
 It is at the junction of the Wertach and Lech Rivers.
 The Tourist Office is located some 300 m from the station at Bahnhofstrae 7. A small onewindow office is also directly opposite the station.
Historical
 Founded in 15 BC by two stepsons of Augustus Caesar.
 The name means “Fortress of Augustus”.
 It is one of the oldest cities of Germany.
 The Christian faith came to Augsburg early with reference to the martyrdom of Afra in 304.
 The city became a bishopric in the 8th century.
 It became a self-governing Imperial city in 1316 under King Ludwig the Bavarian.
 The Fugger and Welser families with their banking, mining and trading operations made
them the uncrowned leaders of the city.
 It became one of the cities of the Reformation.
 Martin Luther visited here in 1511 on his return journey from Rome.
 Luther was summoned here before Cardinal Cajetan in 1518 following the storm from his
actions on 31 October 1517 in Wittenberg. (See Appendix 4)
 The choice of the city was a result of intervention by Frederick the Wise.
 He was being ‘courted’ by Rome and arrangements were made with ‘the Holy Father’ to
have ‘his professor’ given the chance to be heard, not interrogated, in an Imperial free city.
 Luther arrived in Augsburg on 7 October staying in St. Anna’s monastery.
 The interrogation took place from 12 – 14 October in the Fugger’s town palace the
Damenhof.
 Luther appeared before Cajetan four times.
 He was ordered to make an unconditional repentance.
 He refused and fled the city at night – in fear of his life.
 Once he fled Augsburg, his supporters posted a copy of his 95 Theses to the Cathedral
doors, with the notation, “from one poorly informed, to Pope Leo for his better instruction”.
 Hans Hut had his home here in 1526. He was a pre-millennial adventist Anabaptist
 The Synod of Augsburg in 1527 (Anabaptist) considered Hut’s views on eschatology and
endorsed his views on the pre-millennial return of Christ.
 Charles V called an Imperial Diet at Augsburg in 1530 in order to enforce conformity.
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Luther was banned from attending.
Many Lutheran princes refused to acquiesce. At this time Melanchthon (See Appendix 5)
composed the Augsburg Confession on behalf of the Protestant princes.
This was presented to the Emperor at the bishop’s residence behind the Cathedral.
While acknowledging the similarities to Catholicism, seven differences were noted.
In 1547 Charles V tried to appease the Protestants by the Augsburg Interim – allowing
priests to marry and communicants to receive wine as well as bread.
Augsburg again featured in the religious disputes when in 1555 Charles V conceded defeat
and the Peace of Augsburg allowed each state to choose its own religion and from that Diet,
the Augsburg Confession became part of Imperial Law.
In 1686 the Augsburg League was formed following the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in
Paris. Prussia and Austria apposed Louis XIV.
SEE APPENDIX 5 FOR DETAILS THE CONFRONTATION AT AUGSBURG
St. Anna’s Church
 St. Anna’s is situated on Annastrae.
 When Luther arrived St. Anna’s was a Carmelite Monastery (founded 1321).
 The prior of the monastery was Johann Frosch who had studied under Luther in Wittenberg.
 St. Anna’s has made this historic place a museum called the Lutherstiege (Luther Stairs),
which includes the Cajetan Flur Monastery where Luther stayed.
 It became the first Protestant church in the area with most of the monks becoming
Protestant.
 Open Tuesday to Sunday 1100 – 1200 and 1430 – 1600 hrs
 There are six rooms in this museum, namely:
 1. The steps (stiege)
 2. The Karmeliten Zimmer recording the history of the Carmelites there.
 3. Exhibits dealing with the controversy. Exhibit 304 is a portrait of John Tetzel who said “as
soon as the money rattles in the collection box, a soul leaves hell”. Exhibit 306 is a copy of
the original 95 Theses. Exhibit 308 is a portrait of Cardinal Cajetan.
 4. The Confession Zimmer deals with the political crisis brought about by the Reformation.
 5. The Luther Kammer. This is the actual room where Luther stayed.
 6. The Empore is the old gallery for Carmelite monks and has the excommunication
document.
 In Annahof on the southern façade of the church a plaque commemorates Martin Luther’s
visit in 1518.
 St. Anna’s also has the funeral chapel of Ulrich and Jacob Fugger – 1509. Note the
sculptures of Samson wrestling with the Philistines and the two paintings of Martin Luther
and one of Johann Friedrich the Elector.
 The small window in the room is said to be the room Luther used.
 The Gold Chapel is most interesting to see.
Maximillianstrasse
 Is the main street of Augsburg.
 The houses and mansions here were built by the burghers during the Renaissance.
The Damenhof
 In the Fugger Palace at No 36/38 – walk through the entrance to see the luxurious arcaded
Damenhof.
 Noe he plaque on the faced of the building just beside the entrance, mentioning Luther and
Cajetan.
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This courtyard was the site where Luther came before Cardinal Cajetan October 12 – 14,
1518.
Charles V stayed here for a whole year during the “Angry Diet” of 1548.
Cardinal Cajetan stayed here during the Diet of Augsburg 1518.
The Damenhof was rebult after being damaged in a 1944 air raid.
The Church of St Ulrich and St Afra is situated at the southern end of Maximillianstrasse.
It has an onion-domed tower.
It commemorates the martyrdom of Afra a martyr (304 AD) and prince/bishop Ulrich who
defeated the Magyars in 955 at Lechfeld.
Next to this large church is a small Lutheran church – to show religious tolerance.
Schaezlerpalais
 It is situated down the street from the Damenhof at 46 Maximillianstrasse and facing the
Hercules Fountain.
 It is a 60-room mansion dating to the late 1760’s.
 Today it is a fabulous art gallery with works mostly by German artists but others are also
represented.
 There is a Rococco ballroom with gilded and mirrored walls. It has a ceiling fresco “The Four
Continents”. Here on 28 April 1770 Marie Antoinette danced the night away.
The Rathaus
 It is located at the northern end of Maximillianstrasse towards the Cathedral and on the
eastern side of the street.
 Napoleon visited here in 1805 and 1809.
 It was reconstructed after WWII – is a Renaissance style building.
 The shell of the building is all that survived a 1944 raid on the Messerschmidt factories.
 A yellow flag is flown when the Alps are visible.
 In the square opposite the Rathaus is a fountain with a statue of Augustus after whom the
town is named.
St. Mary’s Cathedral (Dom St. Maria)
 Situated at Frauenstrasse 1 – a continuation of Maximillianstrasse, north of the Rathaus.
 The building was commenced in 944 and rebuilt in Gothic style in the 14th century.
 The cathedral has the oldest stained glass windows in the world dating to 1140.
 These are in the south transept and show OT characters – Moses, David, Hosea and Jonah
- colourfully yet severely.
 The 11th century bronze doors have 32 panels telling the story of Adam and Eve.
Episcopal Palace (Fronhof)
 Situated at the rear of the Cathedral across the park.
 It was the official residence of the archbishop.
 Peasants had to labour here to pay their taxes.
 It was here on 25 June 1530 that the Augsburg Confession was presented to the Diet of
Augsburg. A small plaque commemorates the event.
Rudolf Diesel’s House
 Just to the east of the Cathedral in Springergässchen is a house once occupied by Rudolf
Diesel the inventor of the diesel engine.
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Mozarthaus
 Is situated north of the Cathedral still on Frauenstrasse.
 Was the birth-house of Mozart’s father.
Fuggerei
 This quarter of the town is about 400 m east of the Rathaus – south of Jakoberstrasse
 It was the world’s first housing project built for the poor by the Fuggers.
 A nominal rent of DM 1.70 is charged – unchanged for 450 years!
 In return the tenants were required to pray daily for the souls of its founders.
 The great-grand-father of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart once lived here at Mittlere Gasse 14.
He was a master mason fallen on hard times.
SEE APPENDIX 6 for BIOGRAPHY of CARDINAL CAJETAN
FÜSSEN
 Is situated on the Lech River, almost on the Austrian border, and about 125 km south of
Augsburg.
 A tourist town, close to the Alps, and close to the Castles of Bavaria all makes this a most
delightful place to visit – and stay.
 Lech Falls are just 0.5 km to the south – walk over the footbridge.
 Above the town is the palace-castle Hohes Schloss of the Augsburg prince-bishops.
BAVARIAN CASTLES
Neuschwanstein Castle
 Situated just about 5 km SE of Fussen
 It is the fairy-tale castle of King Ludwig II of Bavaria and the inspiration of Disney’s castle.
 A theatrical décor designed and not an architect designed this castle with its turrets,
pinnacles etc. It was built in 1869.
 Ludwig stayed here just 170 days and learned by a dispatch from Munich that he had been
deposed. He died three days later.
 See the artificial stalactite grotto and the winter garden with links to Wagner’s Tannhäuser.
 A walk about the castle to the Pollat Gorge and St. Mary’s Bridge is we’ll worth the walk – a
walk often taken by Ludwig at night.
Hohenschwangau Castle
 Nearby to the Neuschwanstein Castle.
 This castle was built from 1832 by orders from Maximilian II.
 It features a swan motif (Schwan – hence Schwangau) and was a palace lived in by the royal
family for many years.
 Both the king and Richard Wagner, who visited here, played a piano on the second floor.
 The bedchamber of Ludwig II was painted to resemble the night sky, with constellations that
could be illuminated as desired.
 Pictures of Martin Luther’s stay in a German castle are reported to be featured here.
Linderhof Castle
 Situated some 25 km NE of Hohenschwangau.
 This palace is smaller than the others but much more ornate.
 The Italian Renaissance, planted in an English manner set in an alpine valley inspires its
gardens and terraces.
 The castle was built from 1869 in an Italian Renaissance/Baroque style.
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The state bedchamber has extravagance surpassing even Versailles.
The Temple of Venus rotunda is worth walking to and down and up the other side to the
Moorish pavilion and grotto.
STEINGADEN
 Situated on highway 17 – the road to Füssen – about 5 km from Wies.
 In this small Bavarian village is a fascinating baroque church – and a well tended cemetery.
WIES
 Situated about 30 km NE of Schwangau and about the same NW of Oberammergau.
 It is noted for its church building.
 The church is dedicated to Jesus Scourged and is a masterpiece of Bavarian Rococo style.
 Much gilded stucco, carvings and bright frescoes with plenty of light make it awesome.
 It is a pilgrimage church and the upper parts of the interior have representations of the
Second Coming, the Gates of Paradise (closed), the Court of the Last Judgment etc.
OBERAMMERGAU
 Situated about 40 km east of Fussen and about 85 km from Munich.
 This village hosts the Oberammergau Passion Play every ten years as a measure of thanks
for a plague that stopped in 1633.
 The last performance was in 2000. It was the 40th performance since 1634.
 It is sung in German (most language scrips are available to follow the play.
 With its many OT references and prophecies of Jesus either sung or acted it is a very
moving spiritual experience.
 A must if in the area when it is on.
 The play, which has a crucifixion scene, lasts for some six hours with a break for lunch.
 The area is famous for its woodcarvers who display their skills at Pilatushaus as well as
painters and sculptors.
 Many shops specialise in cuckoo clocks.
 A cable gondola trip to the mountain Ben Laber is available – just to the east of the town.
 To the west a two-passenger chair lift takes you to the top of Berg Kolber.
ETTAL
 Situated on Road 23 just about 5 km south of Oberammergau.
 The monastery church is a great lavish example of a baroque church.
MÜNCHEN (MUNICH)
 Situated some 130 km NW of Salzburg in Austria and the same distance north of Innsbruck.
 It is the capital of Bavaria and located on the Isar River.
 There are traces of a Roman settlement from around 17 AD.
 The Romans left here about the 5th century and a tribe called Bavarians moved in.
 The city’s name is derived from the term “with the monks” and a monk is on the city’s
symbol. Hence the name München.
 An Abbey was founded when Barbarossa the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire gave the
Duchy of Bavaria to Henry the Lion – his cousin and a Guelph duke.
 Henry was covetous of the income received by the Bishop of Freising who received tolls
from a bridge over the Isar. Whereupon he had the bridge destroyed and built one to the
south. The bishop finally appealed to the Emperor who compromised and said Henry could
keep his bridge but one third of the tolls would be paid to the bishop.
 Around 1190 the town was given to Count Otto von Wittelsbach and it was in his family for
nearly 800 years.
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It became a ducal city in 1255 and Ludwig the Stern built a royal residence after being made
king by the German princes.
An anti-Semitic sentiment was strong through the Middle Ages and in 1285 about 180 Jews
were burned alive inside their synagogue – they were accused of murdering a child. Jews
were banished from the city in 1442 and didn’t return until the 19th century.
In 1319 Frederick – a Hapsburg king from Austria besieged Munich but was defeated at the
Battle of Mühldorf.
The pope (residing in Avignon) sided with the Hapsburgs and excommunicated Ludwig.
He hung on to his throne and was the last German emperor to be crowned in Rome (1328).
To reward Munich for its loyalty he brought back a great gift – the upper arm of
St. Anthony – still in the Monastery church of St. Anne in Lehel.
However giving the city the right to monopolise the salt trade brought prosperity.
The Wittelsbach dynasty ruled into the 20th century.
During the Thirty Years War the city became a centre for Catholicism.
In June 1800 French soldiers laid siege to the city and the elector Max IV Joseph had to flee.
He then joined alliance with France severing the 100 year tie with the Holy Roman Empire of
the German Nation.
Napoleon made a grand entrance here in 1805 to the sound of church bells and canon
salutes.
When Napoleon’s power was waning, Max IV promptly aligned Bavaria with Austria and
Prussia.
Hitler was a member of the German Worker’s Party here in 1919 – meeting in the
Hofbrauhaus. The Party was renamed the National Socialist Worker’s Party.
Hitler managed to unite the right-wing parties that met in Munich.
On 8 November 1923 Hitler was with his followers – 600 members of the Schutzarmee (SA)
He stormed Munich’s Bürgerbräukeller and proclaimed a National Socialist Revolution and
brought in a machine gun to show he meant business.
A confrontation next day left 19 Nazis dead and several policemen.
Hitler was sentenced to five years prison at Landsberg, where he wrote Mein Kampf (My
Struggle).
He was released in 1924 ‘on good behaviour’.
Munich was also the place where Neville Chamberlain and Dadadier and Mussolini met in
1938 at which time it was agreed for Germany to annex Sudetenland. Chamberlain said that
Germany posed no threat to Britain.
Munich is famous for its beer – nearly 500 million litres are brewed annually – and a stronger
brew in March – “to help people get through Lent.” At that time the Fasching has even more
lively times than the Oktoberfest with parades, masked balls and revelry.
The Oktoberfest is actually an annual celebration that commenced on the occasion of
Ludwig I’s wedding celebration.
Marienplatz
 The city centre
 It has the Virgin’s Column erected by Maximilian in 1638.
 The Neues Rathaus (New City Hall) is on the north side. The Glockenspiel (or Carillon) on
its façade performs a tournament the Dance of the Coopers each day at 1100, 1200 and
1700 hours.
 The Old City Hall (Altes Rathaus) is on the right of the square.
Frauenkirche
 Is situated on Frauenplatz 12 – a couple of blocks west of Marienplatz – the city centre.
 The Cathedral of Our Lady was rebuilt from just a shell after WWII bombing.
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German Museum (Deutsches Museum)
 Situated on an island in the Isar River – SE from Marienplatz along the Zweibruckenstrae.
 Is the German museum of science and technology.
 Is the largest technological museum in the world.
 Has the first electric dynamo, the first automobile, the first diesel engine, the laboratory
bench where the atom was split etc.
 A library with 700,000 volumes is associated with the museum.
 It has displays in engineering, electrical, aeronautical, navigation, mining, automotive, glass
and ceramics, astronomy and music – features a great collection of musical instruments
including some mechanical devices.
 It is well worth spending half a day here.
Michaelskirche
 It is situated at Neuhauser Straße 52.
 Was constructed to demonstrate the city’s loyalty to Catholicism during the Reformation and
almost bankrupted the state treasury.
Asamkirche
 Is situated at Sandinger Strasse 32
 Is named after the Asam brothers who promised to build a church if they survived a
shipwreck.
 A statue of St. John Nepomuk a 13th century monk drowned in the Danube is above the
doorway.
The Alte Pinakothek
 Situated at Barer Straße 27.
 Is one of the significant art museums of the world.
 900 paintings are rotated on display with around 30,000 from storage.
Nymphenburg Castle (Schloss Nymphenburg)
 Is in the suburb of Nymphenburg – (U-Bahn 1 to Rotkreuzplatz then Tram 17 towards
Amalienburgstrasse or Bus 41)
 Was the summer palace of the Wittelsbachs.
 The park surrounding the palace has 500 acres.
The Residenz
 Is situated on Max Joseph Platz 3.
 Was the home of the Bavarian royal family.
 It has been restored since its destruction in WWII.
DACHAU
 Is located on a rail line just outside Munich to the north-west.
 It is closed on Mondays.
 Its GPS co-ordinates at the entrance are: N 48 16.097’ E 11 28.006’.
 Was a concentration camp from 1933 – 1945.
 Two dormitory huts have been left standing in the area surrounded by the high fence, once
electrified.
 A sculpture outside the museum is a memorial to those who died here.
 Just beyond the large area in the left hand corner at the back is an oven for cremation,
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An SDA pastor, Paul Meyer from Lyons, was one of the 70,000 who perished in this camp.
He was wrongly though to have been involved with the French underground during WWII.
The museum tells the sad story of man’s inhumanity to man.
A video screened regularly throughout the day is a must see. Check at once on entering the
time for the next screening in English.
INGOLSTADT
 Situated on the Danube River about 80 km north of Munich.
 It is noted for its oil refineries and the Audi car factory.
 Part of its medieval wall still stands. See the Pocket Tower or Taschenturm on the
southwest side of the town. On the western side is the Kreuztor or small castle/city entrance
dating to the 14th century.
 The University of Ingolstadt was the eleventh university in the German Holy Roman Empire.
 It was also the home of Luther’s opponent in Worms – Dr. John Eck (See Appendix 2).
The Cathedral - Liebfrauenmünster
 It is situated on Kreutzorstrasse near where it becomes Theresienstrasse.
 Its GPS co-ordinates are: N 48 16.097’ E 11 25.192’.
 Was the university church of Dr. Johannes Eck.
 It was founded in 1472.
 On the north side of the ambulatory about level with the altar (left hand side of the church as
you walk along its side inside is a bronze epitaph to Eck.
SEE APPENDIX 2 FOR BIOGRAPHY OF JOHN ECK
Jesuit University
 Is situated over the street northwards from the cathedral.
 It was known as the University of Bavaria.
 It was founded by the humanist Johann Tolhopt who claimed more knowledge of ancient
history than the theologians.
 He became the astrologer to King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary.
 Later the university prided itself on being the centre of the Counter Reformation with the
arrival there of Eck.
 On the eastern side of the university, almost one block from Eck’s house, is a plaque
honouring a Jesuit astronomer Christolph Scheiner who first discovered sun spots – and
argued with Galileo Galilei as to who discovered them first.
 Peter Apian was a geometrician and had Bavaria the first state in the world to have maps
calculated with precise trigonometric data.
 Ingolstadt was the place where the ‘Jesuit Theatre’ began and influenced theatre across
Bavaria.
 From this university the Jesuits reached out to the world – even China in missionary activity.
 Lady Queensborough mentions in “Occult Theocracy” that from the Jesuit College of
Ingolstadt the Illuminati of Bavaria was founded by an Adam Weishaupt. He founded the
order 1 May 1776.
John Eck’s House
 Situated on the corner of the street directly opposite the university and the cathedral.
 Its GPS co-ordinates are: N48 45.885’ E 11 25.256’.
 Is it a small house with a plaque that notes that Eck died there in 1546.
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General Tilly’s House
 Is located on the corner of Johannesstrae, one block from Eck’s house.
 Its GPS co-ordinates are N 48 45.940’ E 11 25.254’.
 General Tilly was the Catholic General of the Thirty Year’s War (died 1632).
Kreuztor
 Is on the western edge of the town past the Cathedral.
 It has seven turrets and towers – this gate dates to 1385.
 Beyond the Kreuztor over a green strip is the Cavalier Hepp – the Stadtmuseum with
historical objects including Eck’s teaching stool and King Gustavus Adolphus’ horse from the
Thirty Years War.
Neues Schloss
 This castle is situated on the river bank on the eastern end of the town next to the
Stadttheater.
 It has the Bayrisches Armeemuseum with the most comprehensive collection of arms and
armour in Germany.
 Included is an outstanding collection from the Thirty Years War.
 Open Tuesday to Sunday 0845 – 1630 hrs.
NÜRNBERG (NUREMBERG)
Historical
 Situated some 170 km NW of Munich and 225 SE of Frankfurt.
 It was the centre of the German Renaissance.
 In 1356 Charles IV issued a “Golden Bull” requiring all subsequent emperors to hold their
first Diet at Nürnberg.
 Regiomontanus a mathematician and astronomer founded the first German observatory here
 Albrecht Dürer the famous artist came from here.
 Luther’s teachings found ready acceptance here.
 He would have stayed here on his way to Rome in 1510.
 A debate in 1525 in the City Hall brought the acceptance of the Reformation to Nürnberg –
the first free Imperial city.
 The next year 1526, Melanchthon founded the first German Gymnasium (High School)
 Andreas Osiander was the first Reformation pastor in Nürnberg.
 In 1532 Charles V and the Schmalkaldic League reached the Peace of Nürnberg Agreement
guaranteeing Protestants freedom.
 The last Imperial Diet was held here in 1543.
 The first pocket watch was made here by Peter Henlein.
 The first steam train ran from Nürnberg to Fürth in 1835.
 From 1927 to 1935 Hitler staged large dramatic Nazi rallies and parades of the National
Socialist Party here. Perhaps the most dramatic was in 1933.
 Here the Nürnberg Laws of 1935 deprived the Jews of their citizenship.
 No other German city apart from Dresden, suffered so much damage during WWII. On one
night alone, 2 January 1945, a total of 525 Lancaster bombers made a devastating raid.
Only 9% of the city remained undamaged.
 The War Crimes Tribunal was held here in 1946 in the Justice Palace.
 Ten Nazis were hanged including Keitel and Ribbentrop. Göring committed suicide just
before his execution was scheduled.
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The Old Rathaus
 Situated around the corner about 100 m from the new Rathaus and the Marktplatz – and
opposite the rear of St. Sebaldus Kirche.
Its GPS co-ordinates are: N49 27.325’ E 11 04.613’.
 It was built between 1616 and 1622.
 Above the Rathaus doorways on the wall are depicted the beasts of Daniel 7 carved in stone
 The Lochgefängnis or Underground Dungeon is underneath the Old Rathaus and has
dungeons, torture chambers and torture implements.
The Old Imperial Fortress or Castle (Kaiserburg)
 Is situated on the northern wall of the old city.
 The Sinwelturm or Vestnerturm (Strong Tower) is part of the fortress dating to the 13th
century.
 A good view of the city is seen from here.
 The Castle was destroyed by fire in 1420.
 It was the official residence of the German kings and Emperor including Frederick
Barbarossa.
 It gives an insight into a feudal castle with ramparts and parapet walls, secret passages, etc
 There are two chapels – one above the other in the Cross sections but united in the centre.
The Margarethenkapelle (St. Margaret’s Chapel) is on top and the Kaiserkapelle (Emperor’s
Chapel) is underneath.
The Hauptmarkt (Market Place)
 It is situated in the central market square.
 Is a fresh fruit and vegetable market etc.
 The “Beautiful Fountain” is here – a height of 19 m (60 feet) and dates from 1396. It is a
tubular fountain with 30 figures in four tiers.
 In 1349 a decree was obtained from Charles IV permitting the Jewish Quarter to be torn
down.
 On 5 December 1349 most of the Jews were burnt in their houses with the doors walled up.
Escapees were caught and killed or burnt on Jew’s Hill.
 This gave space for the City Square.
 The Christkindlemarkt (Christ Child Market) is held during Advent.
The Handwerkerhof
 Situated just inside the wall at the SE corner near the end of Königstrae.
 Many craftsmen and artisans work here making pewter, woodcarvings, glassware, toys, etc
 It is busiest just before Christmas.
The Weinstadel (wine Merchant’s Storehouse)
 Is situated where the river flows through the wall on the western side.
 The Water Tower and the Hangman’s Footbridge are also here.
The Schuldturm (Tower of Guilt)
 It is situated by the river.
 This tower was formerly a prison.
The Spielzeug (Toy Museum)
 Is situated at Karlstrae 13 – 15.
 It is a world-famous toy museum with three floors of toys.
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It includes a collection of doll’s houses and a mechanical Ferris wheel.
Open Tuesday and Thursday to Sunday 1100 – 1700 hrs and Wednesday 1000 – 2100 hrs
St. Sebaldus Kirche (St. Sebaldus Church)
 Situated on Sebaldusplatz – just around the corner from the Marktplatz.
 It was built in 1273.
 It has a simple altar and an ancient bronze baptismal font.
 A huge crucifixion group with a life-sized crucifix is between the two cast pillars.
 Behind the altar a bronze cast baldachin cabinet holds the remains of St. Sebald. Snails and
dolphins support the cast.
The Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady)
 Was built by Charles IV between 1350 and 1358 partly to atone for the Jewish Massacre of
1349.
 The church was an evangelical church since the Reformation.
 In 1806 when Nürnberg became part of Bavaria, it was given back to the Catholics.
 The magnificent clock on the gable dates to 1509 and every day at noon performs the
Männleinlaufen (Little Men’s Run) as the seven Electors parade past Charles IV and pay him
homage. This commemorates the “Golden Bull” of 1356.
 The Tucheralter dating from 1445 has vividly painted panels showing the transition from the
art of the Middle Ages to the modern period.
St. Lorenz Kirche
 It is situated on Lorenzer Platz – off the Alderstrae in the SE part of the old city.
 It was built from 1260 to 1370.
 It has works of art that have survived wars and the Reformation.
 In 1806 a silver coffin of St. Deocarus and a brass baptismal font were melted down to pay
some of the city’s debts.
 The church was destroyed in WWII and rebuilt from 1945 to 1952.
The Alrecht Dürer House
 It is situated at the north end of Albrecht-Dürer Strae – number 39, directly below the
Kaiserburg and up the Bergstrasse from the Dürer monument and St. Sebald Church.
 It dates to the 15th century and is a typical burgher’s home of that time.
 It is the only completely preserved Gothic house in Nürnberg.
 It holds exhibits of Dürer’s life and works.
 Open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday 1000 – 17000 hrs and Thursday 1000 – 2000 hrs
DINKELSBÜHL
 Situated just 30 km south of the E 12 autobahn.
 Dinkelsbühl is a small town with an old-world atmosphere on the Romantic route from
Füssen and Munich to Frankfurt.
 It is complete with city walls and typifies medieval Germany with its half-timbered houses etc
ROTHENBURG (ob der Tauber)
 A walled city on the Tauber river noted for its arched gates, houses, towers, and museums.
 Its walls go back to the 12th century.
 It was partially destroyed in WWII, and was rebuilt in the old style.
The Kriminal Museum (Mittelalterliches Museum)
 It is open 0930 – 1600 hours April to October and 1400 – 1600 hours in the winter.
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Is located just one block down the hill from the Town Square on the right hand side.
It displays all types of instruments for torture used in medieval times ie thumb screws, neck
and hand violins, dunking baskets, chastity belts, iron maidens etc.
The recalcitrant miscreants were often religious heretics (Protestants).
The displays cover several floors.
It is probably the most important museum of the history of law in Germany.
The Rathaus
 Is situated in the centre of the town on the Town Square.
 It has a 13th century Tower that is 36 m high (120 feet).
 The Imperial Room has a relief of the Last judgment.
 Old Rothenburg scales of measurement are on either sides of the door in the courtyard to
the Historical Vaults.
Other Points of Interest
 The Ratsherrntrinkstube (City Councillors Tavern) is at the top of the Town Square. It dates
from 1683 and the clock shows clock, calendar and sundial. Figures appear at 1100, 1200,
1300, 1400, 2100, and 2200 hrs.
 Käthe Wohlfhart’s Christmas Shop is located just opposite the Rathaus. It is like
fantasyland and offers the world’s largest collection of Christmas ornaments, gifts etc. No
Photos Allowed.
 Käthe Wohlfhart’s Christkindlmarkt is directly opposite the Christmas Shop and on the same
side of the street as the Rathaus. It offers more items for Christmas including Folk Art from
the area of Saxony.
 The Plönlein and Siebers Tower is located below the Kriminal Museum where the
Schmiedgasse becomes the Spitalgasse. It is a beautiful triangular meeting of quaint lanes
– one leading to an arched bridge. A fountain is where local fishermen kept their catch alive
– fish baskets indicate this.
 The Franciscan Church – a Protestant church since the Reformation – is the oldest church in
the town and dates from 1285. It is a little behind the Rathaus along the Herrengasse.
BAMBERG
 Is situated some 60 km north of Nürnberg.
 Some 900 witches were burned here between 1626 and 1629.
 Pontius Pilate is reported to have suicided here after his recall from Palestine.
WURZBURG
 It is situated some 120 km NW of Nürnberg on the River Main
 The Rathaus has on its façade a medieval zodiac sundial and 16th century paintings.
 The Baroque Palace is one of the largest in Germany with great frescoes. It was built in the
18th century and dominates this city.
 In the medieval times thee were 600 witches killed in Wurzburg and nearly 900 others in
nearby Bamburg.
EISENACH
 Situated in Thuringia about 160 km NE of Frankfurt on Autobahn 4, 50 km west of Erfurt, and
160 km SW of Leipzig. It is at the confluence of the Nesse and Horsel Rivers
 It is in the northern and western parts of the Thuringian forest
 Johann Sebastian Bach was born here
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Bachhaus (Bach’s House)
 Situated only a block or two from the centre of town at 21 Am Frauenplan
 Open Apr-Sep Mon 1200 – 1845 hrs and Tue-Sun 0900 – 1845 hrs. Then Oct – Mar Mon
1300 – 1745 hrs and Tue – Sun 0900 – 1745 hrs
 It has a collection of musical instruments
Lutherhaus (Luther’s House)
 Is situated at Lutherplatz 8
 The GPS co-ordinates are: N 51 51.887’ E 12 39.153’.
 Was the house belonging to the Cotta family
 It is one of the oldest houses in Eisenach – about 500 years old
 In its time it has been a brewery and also a restaurant
 Also a lawyer, a stonecutter and a poet have lived here
 The front half was destroyed by a bomb in 1944
 Open daily 0900 – 1800 hrs April to October 100 – 1700 hrs November to March.
 Luther stayed here as a boy while attending school in Eisenach
 John Trebonius was a schoolmaster at Eisenach in the time of Martin Luther.
 He was a wise old teacher.
 Every day as he came to his class he took off his master’s cap and saluted the boys on the
rows of benches in the school.
 He said, “I do this to salute the coming man. I do not know what boy there may be here of
whom God purposes to make a great advocate, a distinguished Chancellor, a burgomaster,
or a learned doctor; and I salute the coming man.”
 One of the boys in that class was named Martin Luther – used by God in a mighty way.
Georgenkirche (St. George’s Church)
 Situated on the town square a short distance from the Lutherhaus
 Here Johann Sebastian Bach was baptised
 In the choir section there are some ‘handgrave’s stones (landgrave stones) of the
Ludgovinians from the 14th century
Schloss Wartburg (Wartburg Castle)
 Situated on the top of the 600 ft hill above the town.
 Its GPS co-ordinates are: N 50 57.902’ E 10 18.382’.
 It was founded by Duke Ludwig der Springer (Louis the Jumper) in 1067 who named it The
Wartburg.
 He had some soil from his property carried up the hill and spread over the top, then claimed
he only built the castle on his soil.
 His descendants were called Ludgovinians
 The Castle is one of Germany’s magnificent medieval buildings
 Frederick the Elector arranged for Luther to be taken into ‘protective custody’ after the Diet of
Worms.
 He was ‘kidnapped’ near Altenstein Castle in the Thuringian Forest and taken to The
Wartburg
 Luther’s cell or room is in the Bailiff’s quarter at the end of the tour of the castle
 Luther grew a beard and wore his hair longer and assumed the disguise of Junker Jörg
 Here Luther translated the New Testament into German which became a norm for the
German language.
 The first draft was completed in just 3 months.
 Six months later the first edition was published and an improved edition three months later.
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The German Bible went through many revisions up until Luther’s death in 1546.
While translating the Bible Luther is reported to have thrown an inkwell at the devil.
The Wartburg was also used as a prison and Anabaptists were imprisoned here in the mid
16th century
Fritz Erbe from Herda was martyred here – an agonising death in the south tower dungeon
Hitler called Wartburg Castle “the most German of German castles” and went through a
process to have the local authorities take down the cross and replace it with a swastika.
University students of Germany have often held their meetings here
The castle is open daily Apr-Oct 0830 – 1630 hrs and Nov-Mar 0900 – 1530 hrs.
SCHMALKALDEN
 Situated some 30 km SSE of Eisenach and about 50 km SW of Erfurt
 Is one of the oldest settlements in the Thuringian Forest
th
 It had iron-ore mining and steel production until early in the 17 century
 In 1521 and in 1524 the citizens rose up against he Catholic clergy
 The Vicar Baltharsar Wilhelm strongly supported the Reformation
 During the Peasants War of 1525 the hordes of peasants came to the city gates. Philipp of
Hesse ruthlessly put down the revolt
 In 1531 following the rejection of the Augsburg Confession by the Diet of Augsburg in 1530,
the Schmalkaldic League was formed – an alliance of Protestant princes and cities
 A total of eight conventions were held in Schmalkalden – the most important one being in
1537
 The papal legate was not even received by the convention
 Martin Luther preached here on February 9, just two days after his arrival
 The Schmalkaldic Artikles were signed on February 24, 1537
 During his stay at Schmalkalden, Luther had kidney stone problems and became swollen
and weak with intense pain.
 He left for home on February 26.
 The rough jolting ride home seemed to cure his problems
Stadtkirche St. Georg
 Built between 1437 and 1509
 Luther preached here Feb 9, 1537
 Luther sat in a side room to listen to services
 It has been called the Luther Room since 1928
Luther House
 Luther stayed in the house of the Hessian bursar Baltharsar Wilhelm, situated on what is
now Lutherplatz
 During the convention of the Schmalkaldic League in 1537, Luther stayed most of the time in
this house because of illness.
 The Luther Chamber has windows facing the Schlossburg
 Luther was one of those signing the Schmalkaldic Articles on February 24, 1537.
Schloss Wilhelmsburg
 Built between 1585 and 1589
 The Schlosskirche is one of the most important Protestant churches of the Renaissance
 The 400 year old organ is the oldest in Thuringia
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Rathaus
 It was built around 1400
 The Audienzsaal (Audience Chamber) in which the princes and envoys convened is located
on the second floor
ERFURT
 Erfurt is situated about 25 km west of Weimar and 130 km SW of Leipzig.
 Wynfrid from England – later known as Boniface and called “The Apostle of the Germans”
founded a Bishopric here in 741 – confirmed by Pope Zacharias the next year 742.
 In 805 Erfurt became the eastern centre of Charlemagne’s Carolingian empire
 It is situated on a ford of the Gera River linking the medieval trade routes between the east
and the west reaching the peak of its importance in the 14th and 15th centuries.
 It had the monopoly throughout Thuringia of the trade in a red dye – ‘woad’ made from the
madder root
 The University was founded here in 1392
 It was known as the “German Rome” with churches dominating the city’s skyline. Its
population in Luther’s time was around 20,000
 In May 1501 Luther enrolled at the university first studying “Seven Liberal Arts”, living in the
Georgenburse a student hostel. He completed the Batchelor of Arts course in 1502 and in
1505 completed his M.A. He then enrolled in the School of Law which followed his father’s
wishes
 On 17 July 1505 he returned and joined the Order of the Hermit Friars of Saint Augustine –
known as the strictest order in a time of moral decay and also great theologians. The
Augustinian friary was seen as having a greater degree of piety and holiness than other
religious orders.
 In 1518 the world’s first arithmetic book was published here by Adam Ries.
 From 27 September to 14 October 1808, Napoleon met with Tsar Alexander 1 to try to
‘neutralise’ Austria. The meeting is called the Congress of Erfurt. Napoleon also met with
Goethe at this time
 The Tourist Office is at Krämerbrücke – the 14th century bridge over the Gera with houses
and shops on both sides.
Former University (Collegium Majus)
 Situated on the corner of Michaelis and Collegium streets.
 The original half-timbered building was destroyed during students’ revolt in 1510. Here
Luther sat both his bachelor and masters degree examinations. In the courtyard was the
library where Luther held a Bible in his hands for the first time
 A new two storey building was constructed between 1511 and 1515, and burnt completely in
a bombing raid in 1945
 A salvaged late Gothic portal was incorporated into its original location in the old exterior wall
in 1583.
Michaeliskirche (St. Michael’s Church)
 Situated right across from the Collegium Majus it dominates the area. Founded at the end of
the 13th century, it became the University Church.
 The parish priests were also lecturers at the university.
 Master Geroge Forchheim held evangelical sermons here from 1520.
 Martin Luther preached here 21 and 22 October1522.
 Johann Lang a friend of Luther for many years became the pastor here from 1530 until he
died 1546- see the inscription on the north side of the church
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Georgenburse (Georgen Hostel)
 Situated on Augustinerstrasse
 Luther lived here during his student days and learned to play the lute here, being known by
his fellow students as ‘quick-witted and a merry fellow’.
 The building was also used for teaching functions with lectures and seminars
 It was here that Luther met Johann Greffenstein – his first teacher who contended that Jan
Hus had been sentenced without proof.
 In the 18th century it became part of a municipal police station, prison and work house.
 In the centre of the building are Gothic remnants of walls, and also cellar and storage rooms.
Augustinian Monastery (Augustinierkloster)
 It is situated on Augustinerstrasse 10. Open Tues – Sat 0900 – 1600 hrs Apr – Oct and
1000 – 1200 hrs and 1400 – 1600 hrs Nov – Mar.
 The GPS co-ordinates are: N 50 05.379 E 11 01.778’.
 The Augustinian Order of monks came to Erfurt in 1266 and joined the Franciscans and
Dominicans already here.
 The monastery of the Augustinian Eremites was commenced in 1276, the original building
being inaugurated in 1286. Extensions continued with enlargement and later the belfry.
 An extensive library was already in use and in 1329 monks were urged to treat the books
carefully.
 Martin Luther knocked for admission here on 17 July 1505 using the door on the
Comthurgasse.
 The original doors were redesigned in the 19th century then later walled up. A
commemorative plaque notes the event of the entry of Luther.
 As a novice he would not have been allowed to speak without permission, and would have to
walk around with a lowered gaze.
 In 1506 when his noviciate was expired Luther renounced his monk’s vows. He was
ordained a priest in April 1507.
 An extensive donations of books and manuscripts came and in 1516 a new library was
ready.
 In 1503 Johannes of Staupitz became the Vicar-general of the monastery. He promoted the
study of the Holy Scriptures and later became the mentor of Martin Luther.
 The monastery was extensively renewed in the 1840’s, the church renewed in 1850 with
funds from King Frederick Wilhelm IV.
 For some time from 1850 the church of St Augustine was used as a setting for the German
parliament. Otto von Bismarck started his political career here.
 The church was reconsecrated in 1854.
 On 25 February 1945 bombs destroyed the storehouses and also the library where 267
people had gathered for safety and lost their lives.
 The reconstruction began in 1946 and later in 1957 the east wing and guest house was
finished.
 Today the Evangelical Church of Saxony uses the centre as a conference centre and
meeting place. Modernisation took place in 1999.
 The permanent exhibition of the Scriptures and Luther was opened in 2002.
 The original Luther Cell was destroyed by fire in 1872. In 1983 the Cell was reconstructed
according to historic plans and drawings.
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The Cloister
The cloister is surrounded by a two-storey building and was he assembly point for the monks
and a place of prayer – as well as being a cemetery.
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The Church
The church dates to 1291 with some glass painted windows dating to the 14th century. One
window shows St. Augustine.
In 1525 the church of the Augustinian monastery was handed to the parish of St John and
the bells now called the Protestants to church service, rather than the monks to prayer.
The grave of Johannes Zacharias is in front of the altar. Luther took his monk’s vows here
while lying on the grave. Zacharias was the prosecutor of John Hus at Constance in 1415,
and monks on their ordination as a priest lay here and took vows – a sign of their loyalty to
the extermination of heretics.
Zacharias was given the title ‘Hus Overcomer’ by the pope. Ninety-one years later Luther
prostrates himself on this tomb.
The font a seven-sided late-Gothic font dates from late in the 15th century.
The windows on the east date from 1300 and just afterwards
Luther in celebrating his first mass here threw a Bible across the altar. He claimed to have
been aiming at the devil who was staring at him as he prepared the Eucharist. The date was
2 May 1507.
Luther preached here on his way to Worms - April 7, 1521, saying “I want to speak the
truth, and I must speak the truth, even if it should cost me my neck twenty times over (or
twenty heads should fall)”
On 2 March 1522 Luther passed through Erfurt as Junkers Jorg, or Squire Jorg, andf stayed
at the Hohe Lilie (The Tall Lily). The current hotel Hohe Lilie is on the same location.
The monks’ cells were on the second floor of the east wing. The cell known as Luther’s cell
was only occupied by him after his visit to Rome in 1511. Novice monks were
accommodated on the opposite side of the west wing.
In the south-eastern part of the monastery near the wall on Conmthurgasse is the
guesthouse or hospice where Luther lived from July until the beginning of his novitiate in
September 1505.
A monument outside the church near the cloister shows Luther with various depictions of the
phases of his life.
Luther’s typical day in the monastery would be – rise at midnight for prayer and singing until
6 am – beg for money until lunch – his only meal. Afternoons were spent praying and
studying until 8 pm.
Today the building is a Protestant college.
The library has one of Germany’s best collections including some early Bibles with notations
by Luther
St, Marien Dom (St. Mary’s Cathedral)
 Situated on Domplatz – it dominates the city.
 Boniface founded the first church here in 742.
 The cathedral we see today was built in three stages between 1154 and 1465.
 Above the east wing of the cloister is the Auditorium Coelicum – so named because the
ceiling is painted blue with paintings of the signs of the zodiac.
 The cathedral has 15 medieval pained glass windows include ones of Abraham, Jacob,
Joseph , Mary and the Passion.
 Martin Luther was ordained a priest here on 3 April 1507 – he was 23.5 years of age at the
time.
 He commenced his first lecture here in 1509.
 South of the nave are the gravestones of Johann Bonemilch von Lapse who was ordained
by Luther and Propst Hennin Goede a famous legal scholar from Erfurt University with whom
Luther began his law studies.
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Kaufmannskirche (Merchant’s Church)
 Situated on the side of the Anger – the village green.
 It is the oldest parish church in Erfurt dating back to 742.
 The present church building dates to 1291.
 Martin Luther preached here twice on 22 October 1522 having come from Weimar.
 He preached against heretics, and against the veneration of the saints. He also preached
against he pope as mediator between God and humanity.
Lutherdenkmal (Luther Monument)
 It is situated on the Anger in front of the Kaufmannskirche on a marble base.
 It was created by Fritz Schaper in 1883.
 Three reliefs on the base show scenes from Luther’s life in Erfurt.
Barfüsserkirche (Church of the Barefoot)
 Situated on the Barfüsserdstrasse on the banks of the Gera. It is a church of the
Franciscans
 It served as the parish church for the followers of the Reformation from as early as 1522.
 It became a Catholic church again during the Peasants’ War of 1525 but soon became
Protestant again until the Thirty Years’ War (1618 – 1648) but again it was made Protestant
by the Swedes.
 Martin Luther preached here on 11 October 1529 on his return from the Marburg Colloquy.
He spoke on John 5:44 against heretics, fanatics, and Anabaptists.
The Krämerbrücke
 Situated on Markstrasse it is known as the “grocersbridge” or “peddlars’ bridge”.
 It is unique in Central Europe having houses and the Tourist Office built across its entire
width. At one time it had 62 small houses/shops on the bridge.
 It dates to the 17th century.
The High Lily Guest House (Zur Hohen Lille)
 Is situated at No 6 Anger across from the Post Office.
 It is where Tsar Alexander I stayed in 1808 while coming to meet with Napoleon.
 Luther is supposed to have eaten here on his secret excursion from Wartburg Castle and
argued violently with a priest.
The House at No 11 Anger)
 Is where Queen Maria Eleonora of Sweden resided for some time during the Thirty Years’
War, and also here received news of the death of her husband Gustavus II.
House Dacheröden
 Goethe and Schiller often stayed at 37/38 Anger – House Dacheröden – which has Erfurt’s
beautiful Renaissance portal.
Staathalterei
 On the Regierungstrasse is the Staathalterei from which the Communists ruled the city.
Here in the small salon on the second floor is where Napoleon had breakfast with Goethe in
1808.
The SDA Church
 Is located at Robert Koch Strasse 44.
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The church there has some limited accommodation available and the pastor is helpful to
visitors.
Dreienbrunnenpark
 Erfurt has beautiful gardens and parks including Dreienbrunnenpark through which the Gera
flows.
Steigerwald
 A 700 hectare woodland area with 36 km of paths and trails, and the International Gardening
Exhibition (“iga”) with 100 hectares at Cyriaksburg Park holds one of Europe’s biggest
horticultural shows each year from the end of March to September.
STOTTERHEIM (MONUMENT)
 Situated about 9 km north of Erfurt. From the railway station (bahnhof) follow the signs 2 km
to the Lutherstein past a small lake. Or exit 7 from autobahn and follow signs.
 Its GPS co-ordinates are: N 51 03.206’ E 11 04.145’.
 Just outside the town is a 2m granite block monument erected in 1917.
 This was the place where Luther was caught in a lightning storm while returning from home
at Mansfield Park, and vowed to become a monk.
 The inscription on the monument reads “sacred soil – Catalysing point of the Reformation –
In a lightning bolt from heaven the young Luther was shown the way – Ex Thuringia Lux –
Help Saint Anna I want to become a monk. 2 July 1505.
BUCHENWALD
 Situated about 12 km east of Erfurt and 8 km west of Weimar on the direct road north of the
autobahn.
 Buchenwald was one of the largest concentration camps of the Hitler regime.
 Established in 1937 as a place to intern Germans who opposed the Nazi ethos, it quickly
became the destination for Gypsies and Jews.
 A total of 300,000 persons were incarcerated here - 65,000 of them died here before
liberation on 11th April 1945.
 A map and descriptive brochure is available at the entrance.
 Over the gatehouse are the chilling words, “Jedem das Seine” -“You get what you deserve”.
 The information centre shows a film giving details of the history of the camp.
 Outside the camp is a quarry where many died while working.
 The novel “Naked Among Wolves” by Bruno Apitz describes this place and the practices
there.
 A memorial is about 1 km in the direction of Weimar.
WEIMAR
 Situated 20 km east of Erfurt, just over 80 km SW of Leipzig, and about 260 km SW of Berlin
 Became the intellectual and cultural centre of Germany
 Is very important in the study of German history and culture
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 Early in the 16 century, Duke John the Stedfast, a supporter of Luther ruled from his
residence here
 The first evangelical pastor was appointed in 1525
 Also in 1525 an Electoral decree ordered the clergy of Weimar to follow the principles of the
Reformation
 In 1547 the wife of Elector John Frederick he Magnamimous moved to Weimar when
Frederick was defeated in the Schmalkaldic War. He joined her in Weimar following his
release from captivity
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The Duchess Anna Amelia became the ruler of the Duchy of Saxe-Weimar in 1758
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In the early 18 century Johann Sebastian Bach was court organist for nearly ten years 1708
– 1717
Goethe came to the court at the age of 26 years, became a minister and was given a
peerage. He directed the Weimar Theatre for 25 years
Friedrich von Schiller moved to Weimar in 1799 and with Goethe his friend and Johann
Gottfried Herder made Weimar the centre of German classicism.
Franz Liszt became choirmaster in 1848 and commenced the Liszt Higher School of Music
(in the former palace on Democracy Square).
Lucas Cranach the Elder worked here during the last year of his life and created the famous
Cranach Triptych in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul (was finished by his son).
Weimar was the cradle of the first German Constitution in 1816.
Nietzsche spent time in Weimar.
Luther was a frequent visitor to Weimar. His first visit in September 1518 was en route to
Augsburg to be interrogated by the papal legate Cardinal Cajetan. He stayed in the
Franciscan Monastery.
On his visit in 1518, Luther preached “On the Sinful Views of Hypocrisy and SelfRighteousness” either in the Schlosskirche or the Klosterkirche.
In 1521 on his way to Worms Luther preached in the Stadtkirche.
Luther visited again on Oct 24, 1522 preached four sermons on his way to Erfurt and back.
He preached “On Secular Authority: to What Extent It Should be obeyed” and Duke Johann
urged him to publish the sermon. This shows Luther’s absolute loyalty to authorities and
their right to use force if necessary. He rejected revolutionary efforts such as the Peasant’s
War.
Thomas Müntzer was ordered to appear at the castle in August 1524 to be interrogated.
about his sermon preached in Allstedt against the princes.
Luther visited Weimar again in 1525, 1529, 1530 and 1537.
He also visited Melanchthon in June 1540 when Melanchthon was gravely ill.
Luther’s last visit was in July 1540.
It was in Weimar that the German National Assembly met in February 1919 to draw up the
constitution for what was to be called the Weimar Republic.
The Schloss and Schlosskapelle (The Castle and the Castle Church)
 Situated at Belvederallee.
 In 1525 Luther and Melanchthon took part in important talks as Elector John the Stedfast
and Landgrave Philipp of Hesse were negotiating a strategic alliance. Luther persuaded
John not to make an offensive war against the Catholic princes.
 Luther preached several times here in 1530 in the Schlosskapelle en route to Augsburg.
 The Schlosskapelle of today was built in 1840.
 Extensive art collections are here. The Lucas Cranach Gallery has numerous pictures of
Luther and some show his wife Katharina von Bora.
Stadtkirche St. Peter and St. Paul (or Herderkirche)
 Situated on Herderplatz 8 (follow Vowerksgasse).
 Built between 1498 and 1500 on foundations of a previous church.
 Luther preached here several times.
 The pulpit from which Luther preached has been preserved.
 The three panelled altar paintings by Lucas Cranach (and finished by his son) is one of the
most important altar pieces of the Reformation period. Luther is pictured near the Crucified
Jesus with Bible in hand and dressed in a black robe. Cranach is also pictured.
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The Luther Triptych dates from 1572 and shows him as a monk, as Junker Jörg, and as an
academic master.
The church was restored in 1953.
Franziskanerkloster (Franciscan Monastery)
 This one-time Franciscan Monastery is now the Franz Liszt College of Music.
 It was built in 1453 and completely remodelled in 1872.
 The monastery was dissolved in 1533.
 Luther stayed overnight here several times.
Luther Cranach House
 Situated in the town centre on Marketplatz.
 Is one of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings in Thuringia.
 Lucas Cranach spent the last year of his life here in 1552/1553 at which time he worked on
his three panelled altar painting.
Other Places of Interest Include:
 Goethe house in the south-east of the town – Goethe Garten Haus.
 Johanniskirche – in the north-east just off Jenaerstrasse.
 Goethe National Museum at Am Frauenplan 1.
 Schillerhaus at Schillerstrasse 9.
 Liszt House at Marienstrasse 17.
LEIPZIG
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Situated some 40 km SE of Halle and 160 km SW of Berlin.
Became important because of its annual fairs dating to 1165, and the establishment of the
university in 1409.
Martin Luther visited here in 1512 to collect 50 guilders from Frederick the Wise for his
doctorate. He returned again in 1518 and 1519, the latter time being his disputation with
Johannes Eck (June 27 – July 16). Luther may have visited here again in 1521 disguised as
Junkers Jorg, and returned in 1539 when the town became Protestant, preaching here May
24, 25.
Early in 1723, Johann Sebastian Bach came to Leipsig and became the cantor, choirmaster
etc and stayed for 27 years.
Richard Wagner was born here in 1813.
Leipzig is noted for its publishing houses (over 35 today) and its spring fairs.
The German National Library (Deutsche Bücherei) on Deutscher Platz attempts to have all
books published in German.
The Tourist Information Centre is located at Richard Wagner Str 1.
SEE APPENDIX 8 FOR DETAILS OF THE DISPUTATION AT LEIPZIG
Neues Rathaus (Pleissenburg) – New Town Hall
 Was built partly on the site of the Pleissenburg Castle
 It was in the castle in 1519 where Luther debated with Eck. The castle was destroyed
around 1550 and rebuilt but the new fortress was dismantled to make way for the Neues
Rathaus.
Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church)
 Situated at Thomaskirchof 18 just 2 blocks from the Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus).
 The church was built from 1212 to 1222.
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It was extended (east choir and sacristy) and extensively remodelled between 1482 and
1496.
It has the steepest roof in Leipzig (62 ) and the largest roof in Saxony.
Luther preached here on Pentecost 1539 as the Reformation was introduced. (Note the
plaque in the church).
Johann Sebastian Bach was the choirmaster here for 27 years. His body was buried here in
1950 on the 200th anniversary of his death – formerly he was buried in the Johanniskirche
which was destroyed in the war.
Both Mozart and Mendelssohn performed their works here.
The St. Thomas Boys Choir (commenced in the 13th century) rivals that of the Vienna Boys
Choir.
Opposite the church – to the south on Thomaskirchhof is the Johann Sebastian Bach
national Research Centre and Museum.
Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus)
 Situated on the eastern side of the marketplace.
 Was designed and built by Hieronymous Lotter in 1556/1557.
 Is one of the most significant Renaissance town halls in Germany.
 It was restored in 1672 and again in 1906, then again between 1946 and 1950.
Auerbachs Kellar
 Situated on Mädler Passage (off the market square) close to the Altes Rathaus.
 Was built between 1530 and 1538 as Auerbach’s Inn.
 Martin Luther stayed here in 1539.
 It was renovated in 1635. It was almost demolished between 1912 and 1914 to make way
for the Mädler Arcade (Mädlerpassage).
 Only the wine cellar was spared.
 Goethe used the cellar in a setting for a scene from “Faust”.
 A passageway is said to have existed between here and the university which permitted
drunken professors to make their way home without being seen by their students.
Melchior Lotter’s House
 Situated at Hainstrasse 16.
 Melchior Lotter the famous book printer owned the house.
 Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon stayed here with Melchior Lotter in 1519 during the
Leipzig Disputation.
Nickolaikirche (St. Nikolai’s Church)
 Situated at Nikolaikirchof.
 Originally built around 1165.
 Hieronymous Lotter built the octagonal middle tower in 1555.
 It is one of the largest churches in Leipzig.
 Luther is reported to have preached here from the pulpit in 1539. The Pulpit is preserved
under museum conditions.
 Here in 1723 Johann Sebastian Bach concluded his test recital for the position of cantor. His
first act in this office was to perform the cantata “The Miserable Shall Eat” on May 30, 1723.
Alte Nikolaischule (Old Nikolai School)
 Situated across from the Nikolaikirche.
 Was founded in 1512 and became the high school for the elite of Leipzig.
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Johann Leibniz and Richard Wagner were pupils here.
Egyptian Museum (Ägyptisches Museum)
 Situated at Schillerstrasse 6 – about 500 m south of the Old Rathaus and about a block from
the University and is connected with it.
 It has over 5000 exhibits from Egypt.
Könighaus
 Situated on Thomas Grimmalsche Str (around the block from the Altes Rathaus).
 Built in the late 18th century, it was the city’s official VIP guesthouse.
 Napoleon and Richard Wagner stayed here.
Battle of the Nations Monument (Völkerschlachtdenkmal)
 Situated on Johannisplatz.
 It was built in 1913 on the anniversary of the Battle of the Nations when Austria, Prussia,
Russia and Sweden defeated Napoleon.
 The observation platform is 93 m high (292 feet) and gives a great view of Leipzig.
ZWICKAU
 Situated some 70 km south of Leipzig.
 Has had silver, copper and iron mines since 1316.
 Robert Schumann the composer was born here.
The Zwickau Prophets
 Here a group of early Anabaptists were known as the Zwickau Prophets.
 They claimed immediate Divine inspiration, believed apocalyptic ideas and rejected infant
baptism.
 They moved to Wittenberg in 1521 and Melanchthon had contact with them.
 When Luther returned to Wittenberg in March 1522 he promptly put them down.
HALLE
 Halle is situated on the Saale River, some 45 km northwest of Leipsig.
 Salt (sometimes called ‘White Gold’) has been mined here from the beginning of time.
 Georg Friedrich Handel was born here 23 February 1685. The house where he lived for his
first 17 years is now a museum.
 Halle was a centre of Pietism in Germany, and sent Lutheran missionaries to North America,
particularly Pennsylvania.
 George Mueller famous for orphanages in Britain spent some time here.
 Some 700 French Huguenots settled here after the Edict of Nantes was rescinded.
 In 1686 they used the Gate Tower of the Castle of Moritzburg for worship, later transferring
to the Magdalene Chapel in 1690 and on until 1808.
The Moritzburg Castle
 Is a fortified castle which became the residence of the Archbishops of Halle.
 It was built from 1484 on the site of a former Jewish settlement; it was completed in 1503.
 The Castle Chapel was dedicated to Mary Magdalene.
 Today it is an Arts Museum.
 Albrecht of Brandenburg was the Archbishop of both here and Mainz from 1513 and it was to
the Moritzburg that Tetzel was summoned and commissioned to sell indulgences.
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After the Reformation became established, the Archbishop moved to Mainz.
The Northern Water Tower
 In the centre of he town a very impressive Water Tower was built. It is called the Northern
Water Tower and is well worth a photo.
The Red Tower (Roter Turm)
 The Red Tower in the market place was erected between 1418 and 1506.
 It is another landmark of the city.
EISLEBEN
 Situated some 35 km west of Halle.
 It was at the junction of the road west from Halle and the north/south road (called the Copper
and Wine Road).
 Copper mining and smelting saw the city prosper in the 15th and 16th centuries, leaving
slagheaps and debris to this day.
 The Counts of Mansfeld were granted mineral rights by Charles IV.
 Martin Luther was born here on 10th November 1483 at 16 Lange Gasse (now
Lutherstrasse).
 He was baptised the next day at St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church nearby.
 Luther returned in 1516 as District Vicar to consecrate a choir.
 In 1518 he visited the Augustinian Monastery.
 After the burning of the church in Allstedt as a result of Thomas Münster’s preaching, the
Counts appealed to Luther to keep the calm and prevent an uprising in Eisleben. Thus he
stayed here during April and May in 1525.
 Luther’s last visit was on January 28, 1546 – when he was already ill. He had been asked to
help resolve disputes among the count’s families over inheritance rights. He had already
been here in 1545 for the same reason, and this time succeeded in achieving a resolution
on February 16, 1546.
 Luther preached four times during this last visit, the last sermon being February 14 but he
was not capable of completing it and was from then unable to leave his lodgings.
 On the evening of February 17, he felt chest pains and between 2 and 3 in the next morning,
February 18, he died in a peaceful sleep.
Luther’s Birth House
 Situated at Lutherstrasse 16, just a few metres from the main street.
 It is not known for sure in which room he was born.
 Today the house is a museum (a ticket also gives entrance to the house of his death). No
flash photography is permitted.
 Portraits of several Electors are in the main hall.
 A picture of Luther survived untouched by a fire that destroyed the upstairs and roof in 1689.
Thus it is referred to as the “Unburned Luther”.
 A swan is pictured in one room. As John Hus was burning he said, “you may have cooked
this goose, but a swan will arise whose song you will never silence”. Often pictures of
Luther show a swan following him.
 From an upstairs window, the Church of St Peter and S Paul may be seen about 100 m
away.
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Some documents from Luther’s childhood are here and two pre-Reformation Bibles from
1479 and 1483. Also a lectern that Luther is said to have used.
Church of St. Peter and St. Paul
 Situated across from the Birth House by some 100 m or so.
 The oldest part of the building is the West Tower (1447 – 1474).
 On St. Martin’s Day Nov 11, 1484, Martin Luther was baptised (christened) being one day
old. The ceremony took place in the building that preceded the present one (being in the
process of construction).
 The baptismal stone commemorating the event dates from the 18th century.
 The high point of the choir is the Annenaltar (St. Anne’s Altar) dating to around 1500 and
dedicated to the patron saint of miners. When caught in a storm at Stotterheim, Luther
called on St. Anne for help and vowed to become a monk.
 A plaque at the entry notes the fact of Luther’s christening.
Luther Memorial
 Situated in the market square just below the church.
 This bronze shows Luther holding a Bible to his heart and crushing the Bull of
excommunication with his right hand.
 Reliefs on the base show Luther translating the Scriptures, Luther in his family circle and
also Luther debating with Dr. Eck.
Andreaskirche (St. Andrew’s Church)
 Situated just above the market square and the Luther Memorial.
 The building was rebuilt after a fire in 1498.
 Another fire had the Tower Domes replaced in 1601.
 The Luther Pulpit was restored in 1873 and again in 1911.
 There is an outstanding sculpture of Count Hoyer VI It was his brother Ernest II who had
Thomas Münster tortured and beheaded on May 27, 1525.
 Count Hoyer VI called George Witzel – who had spent 6 months studying at Witenberg
under Luther and Karlstadt - as pastor of St Andrews. Witzel tried to get people to return to
the Catholic church – but purified.
 Luther preached his last sermon here in 1546.
 Above the sacristy the church library has nearly a complete collection of Martin Luther’s
writings.
The Sterbehaus (House Where Luther Died)
 Situated across the road from the entrance to St. Andrew’s Church in Sangerhäuser Strasse
or Andreaskirchplatz 7.
 Today it is a museum. No flash photography is allowed. (Entry ticket also enables entry to
the Birth House).
 Originally a half-timbered house it has been renovated in solid stone.
 The bed and chair etc are specially commissioned pieces to be as close to the originals as
possible.
 Luther’s black silk pall cloth is original.
 Luther died here during the early hours of 18th February 1546.
ALLSTEDT
 Situated about 30 km SW of Eisleben.
 Duke Burchard of Mansfeld founded the new own in 1330.
 It became more known for the preaching of Thomas Müntzer here in 1523 and 1524.
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Duke John and Elector John Frederich went to listen to Müntzer as independence fever rose
in Allstedt.
On July 13, 1524 Müntzer preached before the princes in the Schloss Kapelle. The sermon
was on Daniel 2 and Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Müntzer believed that after the end of the
last earthly kingdom God would establish His eternal kingdom.
He told the princes that they would need to profess Christianity or the sword would be taken
from them.
Duke John summoned Müntzer to Weimar.
The people of Allstedt deserted the cause of Müntzer and he fled to Mühlhausen Aug 7,
1524.
Luther viewed Müntzer as another expression of unwanted exuberance similar to the
Zwickau prophets.
Schloss and Schlosskirche
 An Imperial Diet was held here under Frederich Barbarossa in 1188.
 After renovations the inner ward and castle chapel were opened as a museum in 1989 – the
500th anniversary of Thomas Müntzer’s birth.
Stadtkirche St. Johannes (St. John’s City Church)
 Thomas Müntzer preached here in 1523 and 1524.
 The Baroque chapel was built on the same site as former churches in 1775.
Rathaus (Townhall)
 Müntzer and his followers signed the agreement for the “Christian Alliance” in the Ratskeller
(cellar Restaurant) under the Allstedt Rathaus.
MANSFELD
 A small town some 15 km NW or Eisleben and 75 km NW of Leipzig.
 Luther was brought up here as a young lad.
 His father Hans Luder, worked in the mine, then moved here permanently and became a
prominent miner.
 At that time the town was surrounded with a city wall with seven towers.
 Luther’s father became the leaseholder of five foundries smelting copper from the Mansfeld
and Eisleben areas.
Luther’s House
 Hans Luder purchased the house on Lutherstrasse only when he had achieved reasonable
financial success.
 On the death of Hans Luder, Jacob – Martin’s brother inherited the house.
 The house was remodelled in the 16th century, and in 1805 much of it was demolished.
 What was left was renovated in 1880.
 The inscription over the back of the semi-circular arched portal “JL 1530” refers to Jacob
Luder’s inheriting the building.
 Today it is a museum to Martin Luther and has a small collection of documents etc.
 It was from here that Martin started school then in 1494 was sent to school in Magdeburg.
Lutherdenkmal (Luther Memorial)
 Was created and erected in 1913.
 Is both a memorial and a fountain.
 Three bronze relief panels show scenes from Luther’s life.
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Georgenkirche (St. George’s Church)
 Is the largest building in the town.
 Construction began in 1493, so Luther would have seen the single aisled church built.
 As a young boy going to church, Luther was terrified by the stained glass window showing
Jesus with a frown on his face sitting on a rainbow.
 On one side was a lily representing Jesus’ blessing on the good.
 A flaming sword on the other side symbolised his anger against the wicked.
 Thus Luther concluded that God was angry with humans.
 The altarpiece depicted a ship sailing toward heaven with only priests and monks on board.
The common people were drowning in the sea except for a few who grasped ropes thrown to
them by the holy men. In later years this influenced Luther to become a monk – as he saw
becoming a monk the only means to being saved.
Lutherschule (Luther School)
 The school in Mansfeld was situated directly to the north of the church.
 It has been renovated extensively between the 17th and 19th centuries.
 A plaque on the house states “Dr. Martin Luther, born 10 November 1483, received his first
schooling in this house”.
Mansfeld Castle and Castle Church
 The complex once consisted of three castles, the Castle Church and great fortifications.
 It is one of the largest Renaissance castles in central Germany.
 Vorderort Castle was built from 1509 to 1518. It was owned by Count Hoyer VI an opponent
of Luther.
 Mittelort Castle (south of the church) was completed in 1532. Luther was on friendly terms
with its owner Count Albrecht VII and is said to have preached from the window of the
Golden Hall.
 Hinterort Castle is where Luther and Melanchthon lived in December 1545 – now in ruins.
WITTENBERG
 Situated about 12 km east of the E51 autobahn from Berlin along the Road 187 through
Coswig. Approx 95 km from Berlin.
 The town was first mentioned in history around 1130 AD.
 The town expanded in size and importance under Friedrich III the Wise.
 The Elector’s residential palace and Palace Church were built in 1492.
 The University of Wittenberg was commenced in 1501 and with Melanchthon (See Appendix
5) and Luther (See Appendix 1) became an intellectual centre of Europe.
 It was here in 1512 that Andreas Karlstadt (See Appendix 6) as Dean of the University,
conferred on Martin Luther the degree of Doctor of Theology.
 The SDA Church address is 80 Gustav-Adolf Strae 10, 0-4600 Wittenberg.
Accommodation available.
Castle Church (Schlosskirche)
 Is connected with the Castle Tower.
 Is open from 1000 – 1700 hrs.
 Is where Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door on October 31, 1517.
 When the church was rebuilt the 95 theses were placed on the new door in brass.
 The church was destroyed in 1760 (in the Seven Years War) and rebuilt later.
 The present church is approx 100 years old.
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Note the coloured altar windows with Biblical scenes.
The graves of Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon are here in the centre of the church.
The tower with its 289 steps gives a good view of the Elbe River and surrounding area.
Town Church (Stadtkirche)
 It is open from 1000 – 1700 hrs.
 Saint Mary’s Town Church where Luther preached his famous sermon “The Just Shall Live
by Faith”, and was Luther’s preferred church for preaching.
 Luther probably commenced preaching here in 1512 when he was assigned the
Professorship in Bible Studies – this post involved preaching.
 From 1512 until his death in 1546 over 2000 of Luther’s sermons are on record – an average
of 70 each year.
 The images of this church were broken in 1522 - and almost all furnishings were destroyed
at that time – led by Karlstadt in his determination to rid the churches of any popish relics.
 Luther’s eight sermons here for Lent in 1522 – when he left Wartburg Castle – put down the
iconoclastic ideas of Karlstadt and calmed the Reformation movement.
 The church is situated in front of the University and a short distance from the Town Hall and
the main street.
 It has an altar by Lucas Cranach which shows Luther’s understanding of the Church pointing to Jesus Christ.
 This church dates from the 13th century and is the oldest building in Wittenberg. It is the
mother church of the Reformation.
 From 1535 Protestant ministers were ordained here to preach the Gospel, administer the
sacraments and provide pastoral care.
 Luther’s hymns were probably first heard in this church.
 Outside the church on the SE corner is the sculpture of the “Jewish Pig”. In 1988, a
memorial of four plates were placed in the ground with a gap through which material was
squeezed. This represents the crushed Jewish people and relates to the holocaust and the
six million Jews who perished in Auschwitz.
The Pulpit
 The pulpit was on the opposite side of the church in Luther’s time.
 In 1811 the interior of the church was completely refurbished.
 The original pulpit is now on loan to the Lutherhalle Museum
 It was known as the ”small pulpit” and was more like a chair which stood against the column
opposite the pulpit of today.
The Font
 The Font is the oldest piece of furniture being made in 1457.
 It has Peter, Paul, John and Andrew on the four posts and the other disciples – not worn –
between them.
The Reformation Altar
 It was consecrated by Bugenhagen April 24, 1547 – the year after Luther died.
 The four panels illustrate Article 7 of the Augsburg Confession that was presented at the Diet
of Augsburg 1530.
 The centre panel shows the disciples sitting around a table with Jesus – with the hall
opening to the world.
 Note the sharing of the bread and a common cup is used.
 Judas is shown in a different costume to the others and his foot is moving out to do his work
of betrayal.
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The servant is Lucas Cranach the Younger who is handing the cup to Luther as “Junkers
Georg” .
In the lower painting Luther is shown preaching, and Katharina von Bora and their son is
pictured as listening, also Lucas Cranach the Elder is behind her – showing his definitive
stand for the Reformation.
The painting on the left side shows Melanchthon baptising an infant and Lucas Cranach the
Elder as the godfather holding the clnoth.
The painting on the right-hand side shows Johannes Bugenhagen hearing confession
forgiving the sins of the penitent but the unrepentant man has to go on his way.
Behind the Reformation Altar are paintings by Lucas Cranach the Younger. The Risen
Christ holds the banner of victory after sending Death and the devil to their graves.
The Old Testament story of the offering of Isaac is shown on the left, while on the right
Moses is shown holding up the brass serpent.
The lower picture shows the Last Judgment. The [picture has been damaged with graffiti
initials being carved into it in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Note the epitaphs in the sanctuary. The first is devoted to Johannes Bugenhagen (d. 1558)
showing the Baptism of Christ. Another of Bugenhagen’s daughter Sara Cracov (d. 1563)
showsJesus on the Cross with the Thieves. Of special interest is that of Paul Eber (1573)
which mentions the tending of the vineyard of the Lord by the Reformers and its destruction
by the “Papists”.
Town Hall & Town Square
 Outside there are monuments to Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon.
 There was a door in the Town Hall with provision to allow cats to go in and out - in an
attempt to keep the town free of rats and mice.
Other Street Landmarks
 Hamlet House is situated at 84 Collegienstrae - a reference to Hamlet, described by
Shakespeare as a student of Wittenberg.
 No 81 Collegienstrae was the home of the Schurff Brothers from Switzerland.
Hieronymous Schurff was the legal adviser for Luther while in Worms and his brother
Augustin Schurff was Luther’s physician.
 No 76 Collegienstrae was the home of Johann Daniel Titius (1756- 1796) who as a
physicist and built one of the first lightning conductors in Germany.
 Lucas Cranach, the great artist and friend of Luther, was mayor of Wittenberg, and lived in
the house on the corner opposite the Town Square.
Collegium Fridericanum
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Located at 62 Collegienstrae.
Frederick’s College was part of the Wittenberg University which ceased in 1817.
It was used after 1817 as a military barracks for the Prussian army and after 1920 as a block
of flats for residential purposes.
Note the stone plate with the names of famous teachers and students including Giordano
Bruno (martyred in Rome at the Piazza Campo dei Fiori) and Zinzendorf.
Melanchthon’s House
 Situated at 60 Collegienstrae - just a little before Luther’s home coming from the Castle
church.
 This house was built in 1536 and Philipp Melanchthon lived here until his death in 1560.
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He died in his study.
Note in the hall, items re the history of the town including the hand of the poisoner.
The house today is used as a museum to Melanchthon - his life and works.
BIOGRAPHY MELANCHTHON - SEE APPENDIX 7
Luther Home and Luther Museum
 A gift of Frederick to Luther.
 It is called the ‘black monastery’.
 Here is the Protestant Preacher’s Seminary with Luther House, built at the beginning of the
16th century.
 The premises were initially an Augustinian monastery where Luther lived and worked with
some breaks, from 1508 to 1546.
 The monastery was dissolved in 1552.
 Today the museum is the worlds biggest in relation to the history of the Reformation.
 Note also Katharina’s Portal - a Renaissance door that Luther’s wife, the runaway nun,
Katharina von Bora, had built for Luther’s 57th birthday in 1540.
 Note the Ten Commandments in the Refectory by Lucas Cranach the Elder. Also open is
Luther’s living room and his study.
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The Luther Oak
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The Luther Tree is situated a little further along the Collegienstrasse from Luther’s Home across the intersection of Lutherstrasse and Collegienstrasse.
Here in December 1520, Luther burnt the Papal Bull that threatened his excommunication.
In Luther’s time this was by the Elster Gate.
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SEE APPENDIX 9 for BIOGRAPHY of ANDREW KARLSTADT
TORGAU
 Situated about 45 km SE of Wittenberg.
 A castle was built here by 973 to protect a crossing of the Elbe River.
 Along with Wittenberg, Torgau was the permanent residence of the Ernestine Electors until
1547.
 The buildings of the Hartenfels Castle were erected on the site of the early castle – built
between 1485 and 1633.
 It has been an important centre in the Reformation as the quotation says, “Wittenberg is the
mother, Torgau the wet nurse of the Reformation”.
 In 1547 the Protestant forces suffered a major defeat at Lochauer Heide (Lochau Heath)
south of Torgau.
 Martin Luther stayed here more than 40 times.
 His first visit was in 1516. As the district vicar he came to see the Augustinian monastery.
 Here in 1530, Luther helped write the “Torgauer Artikel” (Torgau Articles) which formed the
basis for the Augsburg Confession.
 In 1544 Luther consecrated the newly erected Castle Church.
 Katharina Luther died in Torgau in 1552 and is buried in the Town Church.
Schloss Hartenfels
 Situated some 15 m (49 ft) above the Elbe River.
 Clay fired medallions of Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon are fixed to the columns of
the Great Spiral Staircase Tower – one of the most beautiful creations of the German
Renaissance.
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Martin Luther consecrated he church on Oct 5, 1544.
The Dedication Plaque was cast in Freiberg in 1545.
Stadtkirche St. Marien (St. Mary’s Town Church)
 Until 1525 when the Reformation came to Torgau, the church was under the patronage of
the Cistercian monastery in Nimbschen.
 Originally with 16 altars – there are now only two.
 Next to the altar on the north is the gravestone of Katharina Luther, the almost illegible
inscription reads “In the year 1552, the 20th December the blessed wife of Dr. Martin Luther
departed this life here in Torgau to join God”.
 Luther had preached here several times from 1519.
House in Which Katharina Luther Died
 Katharina and her children left Wittenberg because of a plague there.
 Just before reaching Torgau, there was an accident with her wagon and she fell.
 Serious internal injuries led to paralysis of her limbs.
 She died 20 December 1552.
 A plaque on the house notes the fact.
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APPENDIX 1: BIOGRAPHY - MARTIN LUTHER
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Martin Luther was born at Eisleben, son of Hans and Margaretha Luder, on November 10th,
1483.
His father was a peasant who became a respectable copper mining entrepreneur moving to
Mansfeld in 1484
His mother’s family included doctors, lawyers and university professors and would have
encouraged him in his studies.
His first school was the Latin School in Mansfield (1488 - 1496) where his parents had
moved shortly after his birth. In 1497 he went to Magdeburg and from 1498 - 1501 the
Georgen School in Eisenach.
From 1501 - 1505 he studied at Erfurt University and graduated with a Masters degree.
His father dreamed of him becoming a lawyer and was furious at first when he decided to
enter a monastery.
On July 2nd 1505, as a 21 year old law student, he was caught in a fierce lightning storm and
cried out “Help me St Anne! I’ll become a monk”. A statue of St Anne was in Erfurt
Cathedral. He kept his vow.
He joined the Augustinian Hermits in Erfurt that year.
He was ordained to the priesthood April 4, 1507 in Erfurt Cathedral and commenced
studying theology.
In 1508 he transfers to the Augustinian-Eremite Monastery at Wittenberg. He is appointed
Lecturer for Moral Philosophy and at the same time studies theology at the university
He returns to Erfurt in 1509 and receives his Bachelor of Theology
During 1510-1511 he visited Rome on business for his order.
In 1511 his order called him back to Wittenberg.
Sometime that year, while sitting together under a pear tree, his superior - a Dr Staupitz, told
him that he should become a professor of theology and a preacher. Luther responded “It will
be the death of me!” “Quite all right” said Staupitz, “God has plenty of work for clever men
like you in heaven!”
October 18, 1512 he received his Doctor of Theology and a commission to be a sworn
doctor of Holy Scripture” which commission he took seriously, and was Bible Professor of
Wittenberg University. Andreas Karlstadt was the dean of the university who conferred on
him his doctoral degree.
In his view, the Reformation happened because the pope tried to hinder him from fulfilling his
vocation of expounding Scripture.
The archbishop of Mainz had commissioned Tetzel to sell indulgences, who began selling
plenary indulgences in Wittenberg on All Saints Eve 1517. The funding was to assist the
building of St Peter’s Cathedral in Rome.
Luther had developed a clear understanding of salvation and on October 31, 1517 nailed the
95 theses to the door of the Castle Church.
In December 1517, the archbishop of Mainz complained to the pope about Luther. Luther
refused to recant and became even more firm in his stand.
In the spring of 1518, he was asked to debate the underlying theological issues at
Heidelberg during the Augustinians regular meeting.
Summoned to Augsburg before Cardinal Cajetan in the fall of 1519, Luther was in agony with
diarrhoea as well as presenting his theological viewpoints. This issue had become the
authority of the church. Not whether human beings could draw on Christ’s merits deposited
with the church - but whether the church could declare what was so and expect obedience.
In Leipzig in late June 1519, the Duke of Saxony had sponsored a debate. Here Luther, in
debating with Eck had declared that “a simple layman armed with the Scriptures” was
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superior to both pope and councils without them. Luther had set his face fairly towards a
revolution.
During 1520 he publishes a number of protest articles
On 10th December 1520, Luther received the papal bull excommunicating him from the
church. At the Luther tree in Wittenberg he burnt both the Bull and the Canon Law.
The Pope bans Luther on 3rd January – excommunicating him
Luther was summoned to Worms by the Emperor Charles V in the spring of 1521 (March 6).
Luther believed he would now get the hearing he requested in 1517.
He left Wittenberg on April 2, arriving in Worms on April 16.
The next day, on April 17, the Imperial Marshall delivered the command of Charles V, to
appear before him and the Estates of the Realm at 4 o’clock that day.
Charles V was surrounded by his Spanish troops and representatives from Rome as well as
bishops, electors and princes.
It was intended to separate Luther’s case from the Imperial Diet by holding the proceedings
in the Bishop’s Palace where the Emperor was residing, rather than the City Hall and the
Mint where the Diet was held.
Luther’s books (20 or so of them) were displayed on a bench.
He was asked if he wished to recant or retract any of them.
Recognising that there was to be no debate he begged for another day. “This touches God
and His Word. This affects the salvation of souls...I beg you, give me time”. He was given
one day.
The next day, April 18 - again at 4pm, but the Emperor was busy and arrived at 6pm with
torch light.
When asked if he would recant - he said there were three types of books, the first about
Christian faith and good works, and he wouldn’t recant those. The second group attacked
the papacy and if he recanted those he would encourage tyranny - and the third group was
about individuals. He may have been too harsh there - but the individuals had been
defending papal tyranny and so could not be retracted.
He was ordered (in Latin and in German) to give a clear and simple answer – “Will you, or
will you not recant?”
His immortal reply was “If I cannot be proved wrong by words from Scriptures or by some
other clear reason - for I do not believe in the Pope or in the councils alone, since they have
been shown often to err and to contradict themselves - then I am bound by those passages
from Scripture I myself have quoted. As long as my conscience is bound by the Word of
God, I cannot, and will not recant, because acting against conscience is unsafe and
threatens salvation. God help me. Amen.”
The Emperor abruptly adjourned the proceedings.
The Spanish guards shouted as Luther left “Into the fire with him!”, but most of the crowd
roared their approval of him.
On April 19, the Emperor denied any continuation of the hearings, emphasising his descent
from an ancient lineage that had always been loyal to the traditional Faith, and a single monk
could not be right in opposition to the testimony of 1500 years of the Christian Church.
The Archbishop of Trier spent the remaining days attempting to effect reconciliation.
On April 20, notices were posted around the city saying that 400 knights and 8,000 troops
were ready to do battle for Luther’s cause.
The Archbishop had invited Luther to his quarters on April 22nd. Luther arrived at 6am. The
discussions continued until April 25 with a final attempt by the Archbishop to dissuade Luther
- even promising him a priorship.
Elector Frederick the Wise and his councillors decided to withdraw Luther from public view
and between 9 and 10 o’clock Luther set out for home, preaching in Hersfeld and in
Eisenach.
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Beforehand he had been granted 21 days in which to return, but on his return he was
abducted: by emissaries of Frederick the Wise and whisked away to Wartburg Castle near
Eisenach. During this time he grew a beard and adopted the alias of Junker Jörg.
It was during his stay in the Wartburg Castle that he translated the New Testament into
German plus other writings.
In 1522 the Augustinian monastery in Wittenberg was dissolved and In March Luther returns
to Wittenberg
In 1524 Luther put aside his monk’s habit and left the monastery.
The next year on June 13, 1525 he married Katharina von Bora - a former nun. They had
three sons and three daughters. When they married neither Martin nor Katharina felt ‘in love’
yet their love blossomed throughout their 20 year marriage.
On his wedding night at 11.00 pm a radical reformer - Andreas Karlstadt, who had been
fiercely opposed by Luther, was fleeing the peasant’s war and needed shelter. Luther took
him in.
In 1536 Frederick the Wise presented Luther with the house formerly the monastery. Luther
and his family lived there until his death.
Luther died at Eisleben, the place of his birth, on the 18th February 1546 and was buried four
days later in the Castle Church in Wittenberg.
Interestingly, Columbus set sail for America while Luther was in Grammar School and
Michelangelo was completing the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel as Luther began teaching
theology.
In 1530 Luther stays at Coburg Castle during the meeting of the Parliament in Augsburg
Luther knew most of the New Testament and large sections of the Old Testament from
memory.
In 1534 both his translations of the Old and the New Testaments are published
Luther made singing an integral part of Protestant worship.
Luther said he would rather have all his books destroyed so that only the sacred writings of
the Bible would be diligently read.
He also said “God creates out of nothing. Therefore, until a man is nothing, God can make
nothing out of him”. And another saying, “Faith is the ‘yes’ of the heart, a conviction on
which one stakes one’s life”.
Martin Luther was deeply affected by the death of his daughter Magdalena (14 years) on 20
September 1542. “Magdalena, darling daughter, is it not true that you would like to stay here
with your father, and yet that you want to go to your Father above?” “Yes, dear father, just
as God wills!” She died in his arms. As Luther gazed at her in her coffin, he exclaimed,
“Dear Lenchen, thou shalt rise again, and shine as a star, aye, as the sun.”
Luther travels to Mansfeld three times in January/February 1546 to settle disputes between
the counts of Mansfeld
Luther’s last days came after a visit to Wittenberg where he never wanted to return - the
indecent dresses of the young ladies, and later to Mansfeld to mediate in a dispute. He had
chest pain and slept upon a lounge till 10 pm. He walked to his sleeping room and said,
“Into thy hands I commend my spirit.” He asked his friends and pastor to pray against the
machinations of the Council of Trent. At 1 am he suffered another bout of pain. He repeated
the above words of Christ. He then prayed, “I thank Thee, O God, the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that thou hast revealed thy Son to me, on whom I have believed, whom I have
loved, whom I have preached and confessed and worshipped, whom the Pope and all the
ungodly, abuse and slander. O Lord Jesus Christ, I commend my poor soul to Thee. O
Heavenly Father, I know that, although I shall be taken away from this life, I shall live forever
with Thee. ‘God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life’. ‘Father into thy hands I
commend my Spirit.’”
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The two pastors shook him and asked, “Reverend Father, do you die in the faith of your Lord
Jesus Christ and in the doctrine which you preached in His name?” The answer was a clear
and distinct “Yes”. He then turned on his side and died, 2:45 am. He had written in his
Psalter and Prayer-book more than 20 consolatory passages in the year prior to his death
Luther passes to his rest on 18 February 1546
Bibliography:
 “Here I Stand” by Roland Bainton
 “Martin Luther” by Henry E. Jacobs – Heroes of the Reformation Series
 “Christian History’ Magazine Issue 34 – Martin Luther the Early Years
 “Christian History Magazine Issue 39 – Martin Luther the Later Years and Legacy
 “The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church”
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APPENDIX 2: BIOGRAPHY - JOHN (JOHANNES) ECK
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He was born Johann Meier in the village of Eck in Bavaria in 1486
At the age of eleven he entered the University of Heidelberg
He completed his Master of Arts in 1501 at Tübingen and completed his Doctorate of
Theology at Freiburg in 1510
He was ordained a priest in 1508
He began teaching at the University of Ingolstadt in 1510
At first Eck vigorously opposed the humanist teachings which were triggering Reformation
beliefs
Eck became known as the enemy of the Reformation even before he met Luther in 1519 at
the Leipzig Disputation
He became the deputy chancellor of the university as well as the papal proto notary
He spoke against and censured Luther’s books and arranged for them to be burnt
He strongly supported jailing religious dissenters in Bavaria and forced many to immigrate
He led the Jesuits in the Counter Reformation attack
His work established Catholicism in Bavaria
As the papal proto notary he was the inquisitor of fellow academics - even in other faculties
He had the University publish a full “Exurge Domine” in which Luther’s 421 articles were
banned
In the spring of 1521, he was one of those opposing Luther at Worms
Eck had the first religious mandate of Bavaria issued by the Ducal Court on 5 March 1522
He instigated a second search for Luther’s books and had them burned
In November 1523, the university senate ruled that all non-Bavarian students must promise
not to promote Lutheran views
Eck had Leonhard Kaiser, a believer in Luther’s views, burnt at the stake on 16 August 1527
Eck died in 1543
The house where he lived is situated on the corner across the road from the Ingolstadt
Cathedral
The Jesuits took control - in particular - Peter Canisius exceeded Eck’s vigorous efforts
APPENDIX 3 HIERONYMOUS ALEANDER
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Also known as Girolamo Aleandro (not to be confused with a relative born later)
He was born in Treviso, Italy in 1480.
Aleander was educated at Padua and later at Venice.
On the advice of Erasmus in 1508 he went to Paris and taught Hebrew, Greek and Latin.
He was popular as a teacher and at times had up to 1500 in his classes.
In 1512 he published a Greek/Latin lexicon.
From 1513 he became a papal envoy, known for his eloquence and charismatic
presentations.
He was appointed to care for the Vatican library in 1519.
In 1521 he was sent as the papal nuncio or legate to officiate as prosecutor at the trial of
Martin Luther in Worms.
Here he used all the wiles at his disposal including making light of the nature of the
Lutherans etc, but finally the Diet passed a condemnation of Luther.
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He became the Vatican Librarian in 1519 under Pope Leo X.
Aleander was the one who made an outline of the policy for the Counter Reformation.
In 1523 he was made the Archbishop of Brindinsi and again appointed as a Papal Nuncio in
France.
Aleander was elevated to a cardinal in 1536.
He is known as an Italian humanist, scholar as well as a papal diplomat.
He died in Rome on 1 February 1540.
Bibliography: “The History of Protestantism” by J.A. Wylie
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APPENDIX 4 BIOGRAPHY - JOHN (JAN) HUS
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Born about 1373 at Husinec near the Bavarian frontier - of peasant parents (one report says
he was born 6 July 1369).
Hus followed in time Peter Waldo and John Wycliffe.
His father died while John was in his boyhood.
His early schooling was at Pracatice a small town not far from Husinec.
His mother encouraged his studies - although she had no funds.
He travelled to Prague with his mother who knelt and prayed for him, dedicating him to the
Lord, as they came to the outskirts of the city.
He entered Prague University and studied Theology - earning some funds by singing.
He became an able debater and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1393.
The next year he also completed the Bachelor of Theology.
In 1395 the University conferred on him the Master of Arts degree.
The preachings of James and Conrad of Canterbury influenced Hus - probably by the
connection of the English preachers and the royal court.
He was ordained a priest in 1400 and became attached to the court - a chaplain and
confessor to Queen Sophia.
In 1401 he became Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy.
In 1402 he was appointed Rector of the University and the preacher at the Bethlehem
Chapel.
This year Zbynek with a military background outbid others and for 2800 gulden purchased
the archbishopric of Prague.
Hus preached his sermons against the moral dissolution all around him.
Spies were sent into his church and once he spotted one such person and pointed him out,
telling the person to write this down and take it over there – pointing to the direction of the
archbishop’s palace.
It was said that his conduct was exemplary, his life blameless, and his personality winning.
His character was never attacked either in life or death.
In 1405 he denounced blood appearing on communion wafers as a hoax.
When priests treated their parishioners contemptuously saying “We can give you the Holy
Ghost, or send you to hell” Hus responded with such words as “These priests deserve
hanging in hell”, “They are fornicators, parasites or ‘fat swine’” calling Prague’s wealthiest
clergy ‘The Lord’s fat ones’.
When some priests were jailed as heretics, Hus accosted the Archbishop asking why this
happened while fornicating priests were unmolested.
On 16 July 1410 Archbishop Zbynek publicly burnt over 200 of Wycliffe’s books in his palace
courtyard.
Hus commented “Such bonfires never yet removed a single sin from the hearts of men. Fire
does not consume faith. It is always the mark of a little mind that it vents its anger against
inanimate objects”.
At this time formal charges were laid against Hus.
Hus preached to a crowded audience, and defended Wycliffe and the people declared their
support for him.
In 1411 he wrote that Prague had been reading Wycliffe for twenty years
This connection came as the sister of King Wenzel of Bohemia married Richard II of England
and when she went to England some students went with her and studied at Oxford
He attacked the abuses of the clergy and supported John Wycliffe
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He said in a sermon “Bohemians are not declared to be heretics - that sacred Bohemian
nation of which a proverb declared, No Bohemian can be a heretic. Here within this city,”
they say, “There are countless heretics whom they term Wycliffists. As for me, I confess
before you that I have read and learned from them much that is good. Truly not everything I
have read is of the same weight with me as the Gospel, for only to the Holy Scriptures will I
maintain such reverent obedience; but why should we not study the books of Wycliffe in
which are written thousands of sacred truths”.
At one stage Hus visited Rome hoping to see better living but returned home.
Hus was then excommunicated but continued preaching.
He was a passionate reformer with Biblical ideas and a fierce integrity.
He hoped that his incendiary preaching and heated rebukes would purify a corrupt church.
His position was made a little easier because three popes ruled concurrently at this time.
The Pope John XXIII sent emissaries to sell indulgences to get funds to fight the King of
Naples. Hus vigorously opposed this and said, “so far as the mandates of the Roman pontiff
are according to the rule of Christ, so far I intend most certainly to obey them. But if I find
them at variance, I will not obey them, even if you put before my eyes fire for the burning of
my body”.
Hus violently preached against the indulgences saying they support brothels, taverns and
priests living with their girlfriends.
He also said “To rebel against an erring pope is to obey Christ”.
Thus he was accused of “an error most pernicious and scandalous, inducing laymen to
perpetrate sacrilege; and subversive to the liberty of the church”.
Hus was placed under aggravated excommunication and the city was placed under interdict.
Hus on the king’s request, retired to the country and wrote “The Treatise on the Church”.
Hus made the Scriptures the ultimate guide of life and though - being primary and
authoritative.
The corruption of the clergy fuelled his dissatisfaction with the church.
Hus was summoned to appear before the pope in Rome (because of the paucity of funds
from the sale of indulgences which he vehemently opposed). Because of ill health, he sent
three representatives. His cause was lost, and he was again excommunicated.
He was then summoned to the Council of Constance.
Sigismund the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and also the King of Bohemia granted
Hus a safe conduct so he left Prague on 11 October 1414 on his horse ‘Rabstyn’, to attend
the Council and arrived on 3 November.
The Council of Constance had commenced 1 November and had been called to suppress
heresy, to heal the papal schism, and to reform the church. 30 cardinals, 20 archbishops,
150 bishops and 800 priests attended as well as others.
At first in Constance Hus maintained his liberty for a few days. But on 6 December he was
placed under arrest by order of Pope John XXIII and the cardinals.
He was placed in a filthy dungeon in a Dominican convent - chained day and night with little
food. He soon became ill.
After some complaints and a visit by the pope’s physician he was transferred to the
Gottlieben castle (where Pope John XXIII was also later incarcerated.
here for his 73 days he was permitted no writing material whatsoever.
Then later by June 1415 Hus was placed under guard in the Franciscan convent.
As a result of smuggled letters telling of the appalling treatment of Hus, 425 Czech nobles
wrote protesting about his treatment and affixing their seals to the letter.
These nobles were called to the Council but none obeyed.
He appeared before the Council in chains as a common criminal.
Many saw his trial as a mockery of justice and honour.
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At the hearing on 5, 7 and 8 June of 1415 he was continually shouted down when he tried to
speak, maintaining he was not conscious of any errors - but begged to be shown his error
from the Scriptures and he would willingly change his ways.
Sigismund despite his safe-conduct pass believed Hus ‘was the greatest heretic ever to have
arisen in Christendom and therefore deserved no protection’.
Hus was charged with disregarding the discipline of the church, and rejecting some of its
doctrines. He unwaveringly maintained his position that he could not abjure errors he had
never held.
He wrote a week before his death, “Be confident I have not revoked nor abjured a single
article. I refuse to renounce unless what the Council charged against me be proved false
from the Scriptures”.
On the last day of his trial thirty charges were presented – some too preposterous for words
such as “Hus was the fourth person of the Godhead”!!!
Hus refused to recant as he had never taught the errors ascribed to him.
The presiding cardinal was Pierre d’ Ailly and gave Hus two options – “Either throw yourself
entirely and totally on the grace and hands of the Council – or if you still wish to defend some
articles another hearing will be granted. He strongly counselled against the second option.
There would be no mercy.
Hus asked to be shown from the Scriptures his errors, he was seen as ‘obstinate in heresy’.
On 6 July 1415 he was condemned as a heretic, deposed and degraded, commended to
Satan and delivered to the secular powers to carry out the death sentence. A pointed
pyramided shaped paper cap (dunce’s cap)with devils painted on it was placed on him.
He was led to a stake in a meadow (now the Alter Graben) and was stripped of all clothes
except books and chained to the stake with a chain around his neck and wood piled to his
chin.
A last offer to recant was given this response, “God is my witness that the principal intention
of my preaching and of all my writings was solely that I might turn men from sin. And in that
truth of the Gospel that I wrote and taught and preached. I am willing gladly to die today”.
As the fire is lit Hus sang “Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on me” three times until
the flames stilled his voice.
Schaff wrote of him “It is doubtful if we except the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ,
whether the forward movement of religious enlightenment and human freedom have been
advanced as much for the sufferings and death of any single man as by the death of Hus”.
After his death, the fire was lit three times until his body was consumed. Then the ashes
and soil were dug up and thrown into the Rhine River.
Benito Mussolini (Il Duce) published a sympathetic biography of John Hus in 1929 as one of
the least known heretics who lived north of the Alps. He hoped the book would ‘arouse in its
readers a hatred of every form of spiritual and secular tyranny’.
Bibliography:
 “Heroes of the Reformation” by Hagstotz and Hagstotz - Pacific Press
 “Great Voices of the Reformation” Harry Emerson Fosdick - The Modern
 Library by Random House
 “Torchbearers Amid Alpine Snows” - C.C. Dobson - Pickering & Inglis
 “Christian History” Issue 68
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APPENDIX 5 THE CONFRONTATION AT AUGSBURG
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Martin Luther had on All Saints Day 1517 – 31 nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church
at Wittenberg.
Within two weeks they were being read all over Germany and within a month had reached
Rome.
They were later translated into Dutch and Spanish and a traveller even took a copy to
Jerusalem.
After he had read the 95 theses, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Emperor wrote to Frederick
the Elector of Saxony saying “Take great care of the monk Martin Luther, for the time may
come when we shall have need of him”.
The Pope was at first amused and said “Brother Martin is a very fine genius and all that is
said against him is monkish jealousy”.
The monks of his own convent were alarmed, but Luther said to them, Dear Fathers, if this
work be not of God, it will come to nought; but if it be, let it go forward”.
Tetzel prepared his own theses in reply and also stated that he hoped the heretic would be
burnt – and had some of the copies of Luther’s theses burnt.
Students at Wittenberg then threw Tetzel’s theses into a fire, but Luther who only wished for
peace and order, believed the cause of God would not be advanced by recourse to force or
arms.
The Bishop of Brandenburg said “I will not lay my head down in peace until I have thrown
Martin into the fire like this brand” throwing a piece of wood into the fire.
Luther had written a letter full of affection to Johannes Eck of Ingolstadt, but Eck did not reply
instead became strongest in the attack of Luther.
In the spring of 1518 Luther was called by his Augustinian order to a meeting in Heidelberg.
Here he defended his theses so ably that many saw the light of truth including Bucer who
became a strength to the Reformation.
Luther wrote a book refining his 95 theses, softening some parts which had given offence
and sent a copy to the Pope via his friend Staupitz along with a letter full of humility, respect
and submission.
Rome now called for Luther to come to appear to answer charges against him.
The University of Wittenberg and also Frederick wrote to the pope stating that Luther was
not able to make the journey.
Now it was decided that Luther would answer the charges against him at Augsburg before
Cardinal Cajetan. The letter to Cajetan ordered him to prosecute Luther without delay, and
to keep the reformer in safe custody and excommunicate all who adhered to his cause.
At this time Philip Melanchthon arrived in Wittenberg as professor of ancient languages at
the University.
The Pope wrote to the Elector of Saxony urging him to deliver Luther into the hands of the
papal legate – but the Elector did not and furnished Luther with funds for the trip to
Augsburg.
Some power lords were determined to strangle or drown Luther on his way.
Luther had no safe conduct and it must have been with much trepidation that he went forth.
On 28 September he reached Weimar where the Elector of Saxony was holding his court.
Then he stopped in Nuremberg to borrow a frock from a preacher friend Wencaslas Link so
that he might appear in a becoming dress before the prince of the Roman Church.
About 15 miles out of Augsburg, Luther became violently ill, and his friends hired a wagon
and in this state he entered Augsburg Friday 7 October 1518.
He stayed at the convent of the Augustines in Augsburg, and the next morning sent his
friend Link to announce his arrive in Augsburg.
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Immediately he was visited by Serra Longa an Italian courtier who very plausibly tried to get
Luther to retract. While he ostensibly came as a friend, he was in fact a spy by the Cardinal.
Luther had stated he could not come to any meeting without a safe conduct pass – not that
such a document had saved Hus. This arrived on the Monday.
Serra Longa came again to Luther and urged him to go before the Cardinal and said the
whole matter is in just six letters – ‘revoca’ – ‘retract’.
Longa was angry as Luther said he could not go until the safe conduct arrived. Longa
asked, what Luther would do it the Pope and cardinals were in his hand as he was in theirs?
Luther responded that he would show them all possible honour, but with Luther the Word of
God is before everything.
On Tuesday 11 October Luther and some friends went to the palace of the legate. He was
received coldly but with civility.
Luther said, that he came in obedience to the summons of the Pope and the orders of the
Elector of Saxony. He also acknowledged the propositions and theses as his and he was
ready to listen and if he had erred to receive instruction in the truth.
Cajetan said, “My ear son” he requested that Luther retract the propositions. When Luther
remained firm, he said, “I did not come here to dispute with you. Retract, or prepare to suffer
the penalty you have deserved.”
Staupitz now joined Luther and Luther put his position in writing by a public notary, saying
that he was willing to receive instruction, but protested against being compelled to retract
without having been refuted.
Cajetan would near nothing but the words, “I retract”. Seeing further discussion impossible,
Luther asked to be able to give his answer in writing.
On Friday 14 October, Luther appeared before Cajetan the third and last time.
Luther presented his decision, but Cajetan demanded retraction – nothing else, threatening
to send him to Rome and to excommunicate all his supporters.
“Please” Luther replied” send to Pope Leo X with my humble prayers the answer I have
given you in writing”.
Cajetan said, “Recant – or return no more”.
Cajetan then sent for Staupitz and Link and urged them to persuade the reformer to retract,
but they declared that was beyond their power.
Luther wrote to the Cardinal on Monday 16 October but received no reply.
Staupitz and Link and the Elector’s councillors had not left Augsburg.
Now Luther wrote a second letter to the Cardinal to be given to him after his departure.
He also drew up an appeal to the Pope to be posted on the cathedral gates two or three
days after he had left.
On Wednesday 18 October Luther left riding a pony which had been left for him. Luther
leaves without riddle, without boots or spurs, unarmed he is led to a small gate in the city
wall which had been left open for him, and he galloped away on his way home.
Bibliography
Two Noble Lives - by David J. Deane – S.W. Partridge & Co London
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APPENDIX 6 BIOGRAPHY - TOMMASO CAJETAN
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He was born at Gaeta near Naples on 20 February 1469.
He was commonly known as Tommaso de Vio.
He obtained university degrees at Padua between 1491 and 1494.
He expounded in Thomism against deterministic Aristotelian views.
He wrote a commentary on the Summa Theologies of Thomas Aquinas.
In 1501 he was called to Rome as the Dominican Liason with the Roman Curia.
He became the master general of the Dominicans from 1508 to 1518.
He sent Dominican missionaries to the New World.
He became a Cardinal in 1517, and the next year Bishop of Palermo.
He attended the imperial Diet of Augsburg in 1518 as the Papal legate.
It was on the 12,13 and 14th October 1518 that he met Luther at the Damenhof, Augsburg
and called for him to recant.
In 1519 he resigned as Bishop of Palermo to become Bishop of Gaeta as a result of his work
to have Emperor Charles V elected.
It was this year 1519 that he helped draw up a bill of excommunication against Luther.
He fought and argued against the Reformation with carefully argued positions on Roman
Primacy (1521), the Eucharistic presence of Christ's body and blood (1525). The sacrifice of
the Mass (1531) and justifying faith and good works (1532).
In 1530 he became a close adviser to Clement VII, and in fact wrote the decision rejecting
the appeal for divorce from Catherine of Aragon by Henry VIII of England.
He recommended to Clement VII in 1530 a compromise proposal to bring Lutheranism under
the papal umbrella, allowing their communion, the chalice and clerical marriage. Obviously
these recommendations were not carried out.
He once referred to Luther by saying ‘I do no want to have any further parley with that beast;
for he has sharp eyes and fantastical speculations in his head’.
He recognised that to meet the Reformers he would have to have a deeper knowledge of the
Scriptures and with zeal, and wrote several commentaries on both the Old and the New
Testament.
He died in Rome on 9 August 1534.
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APPENDIX 7 BIOGRAPHY - PHILIPP MELANCHTHON
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He was born in Bretten on 16 February 1497.
His father was an armourer and gunsmith.
The name Melanchthon is a translation of his father’s - Schwarzerdt - into Greek.
His father died in 1508 when Melanchthon was eleven years old.
He left home at that time for Pforzheim and completed his studies in the Latin School where
he learned Latin and Greek.
At this time and throughout his life he was encouraged by Johannes Reuchlin.
He enrolled at Heidelberg University 14 October 1509 - aged 12 years.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree there 10 June 1511.
He enrolled at Tübingen University in 1512 and was awarded his Masters Degree 25
January 1514 - at almost 17 years of age and began to teach there.
On the advice of Johannes Reuchlin, Frederick the Wise appointed him Professor of Greek
at Wittenberg University. He commenced August 21, 1518, aged 21 yrs.
He also occupied himself with mathematics, astronomy and astrology.
He commenced theological studies as well in Wittenberg and graduated 19 September 1519
with a Bachelor’s degree. He afterwards lectured in this area. His contact here with Luther
turned him from a humanist into a theologian and reformer.
His interest in astrology – which in those times sprang from astronomy – led him to believe in
horoscopes as he believed that the fate of human beings was linked to the stars and planets
– even though this idea was scoffed at by Martin Luther.
He supported Luther at the Leipzig Disputation in 1519.
He wrote “Loci Communes” - the first official Protestant teachings and also the first official
Protestant profession of faith.
He assisted in setting up classical academies and founding and reforming universities.
Because of Melanchthon, Wittenberg University became a model for Protestant universities.
He opposed Zwingli at Marburg in 1529 when the communion service was under discussion.
Melanchthon was mainly responsible for the Augsburg Confession of 1530 and this remains
the chief statement of faith for Lutheran churches.
During his lifetime he was known as the Praeceptor Germaniae (Germany’s teacher).
When Luther died in 1546, Melanchthon became the leader of the Protestant movement.
Melanchthon died in his study at Wittenberg April 19, 1560.
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APPENDIX 8 THE DISPUTATION AT LEIPZIG
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After Luther’s confrontation with Cajetan at Augsburg, Cajetan was mortified and alarmed
when he heard of Luther’s escape. He had done nothing - neither humbled Luther nor
punished him.
Cajetan wrote to the Elector of Saxony complaining about Luther’s conduct in Augsburg and
asking him to send Luther to Rome or banish him from his dominions. Frederick refused
both requests.
Luther at this time began thinking of when he could go if necessary and even thought of
France., and asked Frederick not to send him to Rome, but offered to resign himself to
banishment if need be.
The Prince informs Luther he should leave. A farewell sermon had been preached in which
he said he may have to leave suddenly. A farewell dinner is in progress, and a letter arrives
from the Elector asking why he is waiting so long.
Then a second letter arrives saying that the Pope’s new envoy hopes a conference may be
arranged – so stay for the present.
Luther now writes up his report of the Augsburg ‘Conference’ and appeals to the Pope for a
General Council of the church to debate the matters he has raised. This was a bold step.
Meanwhile the Pope tries to curry some favour with Frederick and conferred upon him the
presentation of the Golden Rose.
However on 12 January 1519 Emperor Maximilian dies and Frederick of Saxony becomes
the administrator of the empire – and now can protect Luther even more.
The new papal nuncio – Charles Miltitz – arrives about this time and when he hears of the
doings of Tetzel becomes angry and calls for Tetzel to appear before him – Tetzel refuses.
Miltitz goes to Dresden to see Tetzel there and overwhelms him with reproaches. Tetzel
despairs and soon afterward dies 4 July 1519.
Before Tetzel died, Luther pities his old bitter enemy and writes a letter full of kindness and
consolation to him.
Miltitz thought Cajetan too hasty in dealing with Luther and tries flattery, thinking this the way
to achieve a retraction.
Luther admitted he may have spoken too strongly at times but “as for a retraction, never
expect one from me”.
A truce was signed but before long was soon broken and the antagonism renewed.
There were two habitual agitators – Eck and Carlstadt. Carlstadt had moved from being an
unfriendly critic to a radical and injudicious advocate of Luther’s course.
Carlstadt had posted up theses attacking Eck and now Eck proposed a public discussion,
and Carlstadt eagerly assented.
Eck proposed the discussions be at Cologne, Paris or Rome. Luther objected and either
Erfurt or Leipzig were options, with Eck choosing Leipzig.
As Eck had issued the challenge he had published six months in advance the theses which
would be the basis of discussion.
Luther noted that they were not Carlstadt’s theses – but really Eck was quoting passage
after passage from Luther’s writings
Luther writes an open letter to Carlstadt with counter-theses, exposing Eck’s duplicity and
repels his propositions.
The immediate response was attacks by Dr Eck and calls for the Discussion at Leipzig.
Firstly the papal nuncio made attempts to have Luther discuss his propositions before the
Archbishop of Treves in Coblentz. However when he learned that Cajetan would be there he
declined doubting “whether he be a Catholic Christian”.
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During the Leipzig Disputation the following subjects were discussed – the free-will of man,
the supremacy of the Pope and church, the doctrines of indulgences, purgatory, repentance,
absolution of the priest.
Eck was one of the most experienced schoolmen of his age with formidable reasoning.
Luther was having difficulty from Duke George for permission to attend the Disputation at
Leipzig. Finally a safe-conduct was given to Carlstadt and all those who travel with him.
This now included Luther – coming ‘under Carlstadt’s wings’.
On Friday 24 June, a notable procession enters Leipzig with Carlstadt in the first vehicle and
Luther and Melanchthon in the second along with other professors and 200 Wittenberg
students.
Carlstadt’s carriage broke down at the gate of the city throwing him into the mud and thereby
making Luther the first to enter the city.
No such formal entrance had been given to Eck.
Hundreds of ecclesiastics and others poured into the city to listen.
The hall of the university was too small for the huge crowd and so the Elector provided the
reception room of the castle for the purpose of the meetings.
The formalities opened on Monday 27 June 1519 with Mass at S Thomas’ Church then
proceeded to the castle where 75 Leipzig men guarded the castle entrance.
Eck and Carlstadt spent an entire week discussing the topic the Freedom of the will.
Eck was a man of powerful frame, a stenatorian voice and his strength was in a remarkable
memory rather than acuteness of perception or logical order. Incredible audacity and rare
cunning characterised his conduct throughout the proceedings.
Carlstadt was of small stature, hesitating delivery and fiery temper.
Eck objected to the use of books and the judges agreed – so the contest became one of
memory rather than one of facts.
A week was wasted as Eck’s overpowering speech seemed to win the day.
Two holidays were now granted and on the Sunday Luther was asked to preach in the same
hall used for the discussions, and gave a gospel message from his own experience and
wholly from Scripture. He declared that the power of the keys (Matthew 16) was not given to
St Peter – but resides in that of the Church. Eck sought to counter this effect by preaching in
the churches of the city where Luther was not allowed to preach.
Luther comes forward on Monday 4 July to discuss the primacy of the pope. Luther’s
reliance on extensive Scripture seems to overwhelm the discussion. Eck protests that
Luther has just concluded writing a book and thus it is fresh in his mind but he has not.
Eck brought up the topic of the Bohemians – Hus etc and Luther showed that they had truth
on their side. This brought Luther in line with Hus in the eyes of Eck and later the pope.
By supporting beliefs of Hus which were condemned by the Council of Constance, Luther put
himself at odds with his church. This was used later when he was excommunicated.
Eck was seen as a master of clever diplomacy, but Luther came across as having candour
and earnestness as well as superior in the knowledge of Scripture and submission to it as
the supreme authority.
Eck in his debate over the authority of Scripture held Luther in the observance of the
Sabbath. Luther had championed the authority of Scripture. Eck now countered with the
argument that if Luther used Sola Scriptura he must worship on Saturday as the church by
its authority changed the day of worship to Sunday. Luther could not answer this thrust.
Luther thought that nothing much had been gained during the time at Leipzig without anyone
seeking truth. However Dr Eck’s secretary – Poliander, John Callarius a celebrated Hebrew
professor and Philip Melanchthon all dated their conversion from this time.
Luther himself as the utter fallacy of the papal pretensions to supremacy.
Early in the next year, 1520, Eck left for Rome to arouse the papacy to crush his rival from
Wittenberg.
Overseas Travel
Germany
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Bibliography:
Two Noble Lives by David J. Deane – S.W. Partridge & Co London
Heroes of the Reformation – Martin Luther by Henry Eyster Jacobs – G.P. Putnam’s Sons New
York & London.
APPENDIX 9
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BIOGRAPHY - ANDREW (ANDREAS) KARLSTADT
Andrew Karlstadt was born in 1483 - the same year as Martin Luther.
At birth his name was Andreas Bodenstein von Karlstadt.
He was educated at Erfurt, Cologne and Wittenberg.
He joined the faculty of Wittenberg in 1505.
Two years later he became the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Wittenberg.
In 1510 he received his Doctor of Theology degree.
That year he was appointed the archdeacon of the Wittenberg Castle Church.
Karlstadt was an expert in Thomist (Thomas Aquinas) and Scotist Theology (Duns Scotus).
Karlstadt became known as a famous philosopher, orator, poet and theologian.
On October 18, 1512 as the Dean of the University of Wittenberg he conferred the degree of
Doctor of Theology on Martin Luther.
In 1516 Karlstadt at first opposed Luther in discussions with scholars on Justification by
Faith.
By 1517 he repudiated righteousness by works and embraced the concept of Justification by
Faith.
By 1518 he agreed with Luther on the principle of ‘Sola Fide’ - by faith alone.
He thus agreed that man obtains forgiveness of sin on confession of sin.
In 1518 while Luther was in Heidelberg he wrote his “370 Conclusions”.
Karlstadt was possibly the first to expound the belief in ‘Sola Scriptura”.
He led the reformers in the journey to a new study of Augustine and then to the Scriptures
which he held as the ‘authoritative role of faith and life’
In 1520 Karlstadt wrote “Verba Dei” (where he believed that God’s Word is the fortress out of
which the Divine Spirit flows to the believer).
In the same year he also wrote “De Canonicis” where he expounded that we believe the
Biblical Books where the Holy Spirit has spoken to the church.
He became famous for his words, “But the Bible says….”
Karlstadt emphasised “All Scripture” as authoritative - as opposed to Luther who favoured
Paul and not James who Luther once said was the ‘Epistle of sin’.