📜 Lutherstadt Wittenberg (Castle Church)
Germany
About This Sacred Site
The Castle Church (Schlosskirche) in Wittenberg is where Martin Luther is said to have nailed his 95 Theses to the door on October 31, 1517, an act that ignited the Protestant Reformation and changed the course of world history. The church contains Luther's tomb and that of his collaborator Philipp Melanchthon. Wittenberg was where Luther preached, taught at the university, and developed the core ideas of Protestantism, including salvation by faith alone and the authority of Scripture. The town's Luther-related sites are collectively recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Key Facts
- •UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996
- •Luther reportedly posted his 95 Theses on the church door on October 31, 1517
- •Contains the tombs of both Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon
- •The original wooden door was destroyed by fire in 1760; the current bronze door was installed in 1858
- •Luther's 95 Theses challenged the sale of indulgences, sparking the Reformation
Location
Coordinates: 51.8661, 12.6394
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