Wittenberg

Wittenberg, officially Lutherstadt Wittenberg, is a town in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, located on the Elbe river in the north of Central Europe. It is renowned for its association with the Protestant Reformation and as the site of the historic University of Wittenberg.

Founded in the late Middle Ages, the town grew as a trading and academic center. The University of Wittenberg was established in 1502 by Frederick the Wise of Saxony and quickly became a leading center for humanist scholarship. Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon taught there, shaping Reformation ideas.

In 1517 Luther is said to have posted his Ninety-Five Theses on the door of All Saints' Church (Schlosskirche), an event signaling the start of the Reformation. The city and the university were instrumental in spreading reformist ideas through sermons, printing, and teaching. In 1996, Luther Memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today’s Wittenberg preserves a medieval townscape, anchored by landmarks such as the All Saints' Church, the Lutherhaus (the former residence of Martin Luther turned museum), the Market Square, and the Town Hall. The historic center and university heritage attract visitors and researchers.

After the university was merged with the University of Halle in 1817 to form the Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Wittenberg continued as a cultural and educational center. In the present day, the city emphasizes tourism, education, and research related to Reformation history and Luther's legacy, and remains connected by rail and road to major regional centers.