The Reformation and Worms

Luther Decade 2008—2017

Luther’s Posting of Theses on 31 October 1517 marked a decisive moment of the Reformation. Its 500th anniversary in 2017 is going to be more than just a commemorative day. For this reason, in September 2008 the Luther Decade was proclaimed, which has started 500 years after Luther’s arrival at Wittenberg. From, 2008 to 2017, each year the main focus of the Luther Decade celebrations will change and will be marked by major events, exhibitions, academic conferences and symposia, and cultural events.  

For an event calendar and more information, visit www.luther2017.de

Luther and the Reformation

In 1517 the Augustinian monk Martin Luther mooted the nuisances of the Church, when he posted his 95 theses to the doors of All Saints’ church in Wittenberg. In the years following he published several writings which were perceived as heretical. It these writings, he rejected the Church dogmas and practices that diverged from the Gospels. At that he was excommunicated by Rome.

Emperor Charles V summoned Luther in 1521 to the Diet of Worms to recant his theses. He refused to do so, claiming nobody could not be confuted on the basis of the Bible. Thereupon the Emperor outlawed him, which proved futile. Frederick, the Elector of Saxony and Luther’s sovereign, shielded him.

A combination of theologic and Reformist claims and political interests eventually resulted in the Reformation. Luther’s ideas spread like wildfire. His conscientious decision had a tremendous and worldwide impact on both the religion and politics.

The Luther Memorial

In the year 1868, the world’s largest Reformation memorial was unveiled, created by Ernst Rietschel. Donations from Lutherans all over the world had helped to build the monument, which was set up in a park laid out in the former city moat. It the castle-shaped monument (inspired by Luther’s song A Mighty Fortress Is Our God), the history of the Reformation is told from pre-Reformation times to the 19th century. The statue of Martin Luther is posted in the centre, with forerunners of the Reformation at his foot. The embattlements are crowned with statues of noted contemporaries of Luther. Between them, allegorical figures represent cities that played a major role in the aftermath of the Reformation.

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The Luther Tree

The Luther Tree, the landmark of the suburb of Pfiffligheim, was Europe’s largest elm tree (length 100ft, circumference 40ft). Probably planted in the 16th century, it came into leaf still in 1948. Embraced by a stone bench, its stub is still there, with a wooden relief reminding of the tree’s history and legend. One year after another refurbishment in 1998, a new elm tree was planted in its heart.

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Luther Church (Lutherkirche)

This church was finished in 1912 using plans from Prof. Friedrich Pützer with strong echoes of the Darmstadt Art Nouveau style. It is a hall with a single nave, altar and pulpit. Interior from Varnesi, Habich, Riegel.

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Heylshof Gardens

In the Heylshof Gardens, a memorial plaque marks the spot where in 1521 Martin Luther refused to recant his writings before the Diet of Worms. In those days, there was a bishop’s palace at this place, which was ravaged by the French in 1689.

Trinity Church

After the city had been destroyed by a devastating blaze in 1689, the Lutherans of Worms build the baroque-style Trinity Church as a Reformation memorial church, seeking to outrival the Cathedral, which had remained Catholic. It was erected on the place of the Mint, which had also been destroyed in 1689, and which was—erroneously—believed to be the spot where ‘Luther professed his words’ (laying of the foundation stone 1709, consecration 1725). It is the city’s largest baroque church and as for its history the main church of the city’s Protestants. After the church had been heavily damaged in the second world war, works to restore the interior of the church in a modern way were finished in 1959.

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Magnus Church

This originally one-roomed Carolingian church from the 8th/9th century was later extended, reconstruction works after its destruction in the war were completed in 1952. Originally it was the parish church of St Andrew’s college, gaining significance for the Reformation as one of the earliest evangelical churches and thus one of the cradles of the Reformation in Worms from 1521.