All Saints' Church (Schlosskirche) Wittenberg, Germany

Idea About: place

Country: Germany
Schlosskirche (Palace Cathedral) in Wittenberg

Schlosskirche (Palace Cathedral) in Wittenberg
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Idea Description

General Information

Country: Germany (3)
Location Info:  City: Wittenberg  Province/State: Saxony-Anhalt
Idea About: place (99)
Type of Travel: history (63)
Features: heritage site (36) | sacred place and sanctuary (40)
Budget: budget (80) | mainstream (85)
Region: Western Europe (47)

Description

All Saints' Church or "Castle Church" (Schlosskirche), sometimes called the Reformation Memorial Church, is a Lutheran church in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany. All Saints' Church was built between 1490 and 1511 at the order of Frederick III, Elector of Saxony (electors were the members of the electoral college of the Holy Roman Empire, their role was to elect the Roman king or, from the middle of the 16th century the Holy Roman Emperor). The church was designed by Conrad Pflüger in the Late Gothic style, reminding more a castle with a moat and bridges leading to the entrance.

Wittenberg and All Saints' Church became a famous historic place on October 31, 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church. His act was a simple request for debate but the Theses stir people's opinion and started the Protestant Reformation. In 1760, during the Seven Year War, the Church was ruined and wooden parts burnt to the ground by bombardment, but in 1892 it was rebuilt as a Monument to the Reformation. Nowadays the Church has tall dark bronze doors instead of burnt wooden with the inscriptions of the historic 95 Theses in Latin.

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What Makes It Special

It is the most famous building in Wittenberg where the Protestant Reformation began with the The 95 Theses on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences (commonly known as The Ninety-Five Theses) written by Martin Luther and pinned to the doors of the All Saints' Church on October 31, 1517. All Saints' Church is one of the places in Saxony-Anhalt associated with the lives of Martin Luther and his fellow-reformer Melanchthon. All these properties are inscribed as Luther Memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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Directions To Destination

Wittenberg is located 62 miles (100km) southwest of Berlin and 42 miles (68km) from Leipzig. You can go there by train or car. The trip takes about two hours.
- By train: The train station is located to the east of the old town Wittenberg, about a ten minute walk.
- By car: follow map directions, the roads are good.

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Best Time To Go

All the year round. The best is from April to October

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Where To Stay

We recommend:
- Luther Hotel Wittenberg: - from €100/night, located ten-minute walk from the center of Wittenberg
- Best Western Stadtpalais Wittenberg: four-star hotel - from €110/night, located in the historic old town, "wall to wall" with the Luther House. All tourist attractions, University, etc. are just a few minutes away.
- Acron-Hote: three-star hotel - from €50/night, located near Wittenberg's train station. Research and book hotels in or near Wittenberg, Germany

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Activities

Sightseeing. There are a lot of places connected with Protestant Reformation. Climb the 289 ft (88m) Church tower to enjoy the town view.

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Useful Visitor Information and Tips

Nov-Apr: Mon-Sat 10 am to 4 pm, Sun 11:30 am to 4 pm
May-Oct: Mon-Sat 10 am to 5 pm, Sun 11:30 am to 5 pm
Church admission is Free; Tower: €2 for adults.

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Additional Information

Tags: 95 Theses; All Saints Church; Castle Church; Conrad Pfluger; Frederick III; Germany (3); Lutheran church; Lutherstadt Wittenberg; Martin Luther; Reformation Memorial Church; Schlosskirche

Web Sites:   Schlosskirche Wittenberg

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