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All Saints' Church, Wittenberg
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All Saints' Church, commonly referred to as Schlosskirche (Castle Church) to distinguish it from the Stadtkirche (Town Church) of St. Mary's, sometimes known as the Reformation Memorial Church, is a Lutheran church in Wittenberg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is the site where, according to Philip Melanchthon, the Ninety-five Theses were posted by Martin Luther in 1517,[1] launching the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.[2][3]

Key Information

Beginning in 1883, the church was restored as a memorial site[4][5][6] and re-inaugurated on 31 October 1892, 375 years after Luther's posting. Because of its religious significance and testimony to the lasting global effects of the Reformation, the church was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996 along with other sites in Wittenberg and Eisleben associated with Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon.[7]

History

[edit]

A first chapel dedicated to All Saints was erected at the new residence of the Ascanian duke Rudolf I of Saxe-Wittenberg in about 1340. Consecrated on 6 May 1346, Rudolf subordinated his foundation to the immediate jurisdiction of the Holy See. With further donations made by his successor Duke Rudolf II, it was determined the Wittenberg main church by Pope Boniface IX in 1400.

Foundation

[edit]
Illustration of Wittenberg Castle Church by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1509

When in the late 15th century the Wettin prince Frederick III the Wise, elector of Saxony from 1486, had the former Ascanian fortress rebuilt, a new All Saints' Church was designed by the architect Conrad Pflüger[4] (c. 1450 – 1506/07) and erected between 1490 and 1511[8] in the Late Gothic style.[2][5] Consecrated on 17 January 1503, it became part of Frederick's electoral castle or Residenzschloss, also called Schloss Wittenberg [de].[8][5] Extensive furnishings by Tilman Riemenschneider, Jacopo de' Barbari, and Albrecht Dürer contributed to the construction of the castle complex and then the church.

After, in 1502, Elector Frederick III founded the University of Wittenberg (Leucorea) and received confirmation by the papal legate Raymond Peraudi 1507, All Saints' was incorporated to serve as a chapel to the university and it quickly evolved into an important academic and worship center. Students were awarded their doctorates there, and the reformer Philipp Melanchthon made his famous inaugural speech at the church. A tradition of burying academic dignitaries of the university at the church developed. Several notable epitaphs are preserved up to today.

Theses Doors

[edit]
"Theses Doors", commemorating Luther's Ninety-five Theses, were installed on Luther's 375th birthday in 1858.
Main article: Ninety-five Theses

The main portal was often used by the university staff to pin up messages and notices; it is generally believed that on 31 October 1517, the eve of All Saints' Day, Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on the doors of All Saints' Church. This act, meant to promote a disputation on the sale of indulgences, is commonly viewed to be a catalyst for the Protestant Reformation. Whether the event actually took place or not, however, cannot be conclusively established. Nevertheless, Luther sent his objections in a letter to Archbishop Albert of Mainz on the same day.

Frederick the Wise died in 1525 and was buried in the Castle Church. In the same year, the Lutheran rite was implemented. The church became the burial site of Martin Luther himself in 1546, and of Philipp Melanchthon in 1560.

When during the Seven Years' War the Wittenberg fortress was occupied by the Prussian Army and shelled by Imperial forces in 1760, the Castle Church was destroyed by a fire resulting from the bombardment. The blaze left only half of the foundation standing,[9] and none of the wooden portals survived.[4] All Saints' was soon rebuilt, albeit[5] without many priceless works of art that were lost forever.

After Wittenberg was incorporated into the Prussian Province of Saxony, King Frederick William IV, in 1858, ordered commemorative bronze doors to be mounted onto the jambs where the original wooden ones had been located.[10] On the doors the Theses are inscribed in their original Latin form.[5] The doors themselves weigh 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg).[9] with ornaments modelled by Friedrich Drake. On 10 November 1858, 375 years after Martin Luther's birth, the new doors were commemorated at a formal ceremony. Above the doors is a tympanum crucifixion painting that portrays Luther on the left with his German Bible translation, and Philipp Melanchthon on the right, with the 1530 Augsburg Confession, the main confession of faith in the Lutheran Church which was formed by Luther and Melanchthon.[9] These doors are among the most photographed in Europe.[9]

Renovation

[edit]
"Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott", the inscription on the church tower

On the occasion of the fourth centenary of Luther's birth in 1883, an extensive restoration of All Saints' in a Neo-Gothic style was begun under the supervision of the Prussian architect Friedrich Adler by his disciple Paul Ferdinand Groth (1859–1955).[4][5][6] The interior redesign included the present rib vault ceiling and pilasters, as well as matronea and the apse. Also, the 88-metre (289 ft)-tall steeple was rebuilt, from which one can obtain a good view of the city of Wittenberg and the surrounding countryside. A quote, "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" ("A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"), from one of Luther's hymns, encircles the tower.[5][9][11][12]

On 31 October 1892, 375 years after Luther posted his 95 Theses on the doors of the church, All Saints' was re-inaugurated.

All Saints' today

[edit]
Altarpiece and east windows at All Saints' Church in Wittenberg

A Lutheran Castle Church parish was established in 1949. It later evolved to a centre of the East German peace movement (swords into ploughshares), when Friedrich Schorlemmer served here as a preacher from 1978 onwards. In 1983, 500 years after the birth of Luther, 12 new stained glass windows were installed in All Saints'. These honored the most important Reformation students of Luther, and were created by Renate Brömme in a "timeless" style at the order of the Lutheran World Federation. A new glazed brick roof was added in 1999-2000.

Today, All Saints' Church serves not only as a place of worship, but it also houses the town's historical archives, is home to the Riemer-Museum, and a youth hostel.[5][10] In view of the five-hundredth anniversary of Luther's Theses, the building has again undergone extensive renovation. The church was festively reopened on 2 October 2016 in the presence of President Joachim Gauck and Margrethe II of Denmark, who dedicated an altar frontal designed by herself.

Tombs and artwork

[edit]
Martin Luther's grave at All Saints' Church in Wittenberg

The tombs of Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon are located in All Saints' Church.[13][14][15][16][17] On Luther's tomb, located beneath the pulpit, is inscribed "Here is buried the body of the Doctor of Sacred Theology, Martin Luther, who died in the year of Christ 1546, on February 18th, in his hometown Eisleben, after having lived for 63 years, 2 months, and 10 days."[18] Melanchthon preached at Luther's burial.[19] Luther's casket is buried near the pulpit, some 2.4 metres below the floor of the nave.[20] Other notable burials include Caspar Ziegler, a Rektor of the university.

The church holds life-sized statues made from alabaster of Frederick III and his brother Elector John of Saxony, and several bronze sculptures, also of Frederick III and of John which are done by Peter Vischer the Younger and Hans Vischer. The church has many paintings done by both Lucas Cranach the Younger and Lucas Cranach the Elder.[4][5]

Full-sized statues which flank the nave include the many main figures of the Reformation: Nicolaus von Amsdorf, Caspar Cruciger, Johann Brenz, Urbanus Rhegius, Justus Jonas, Georg Spalatin, Johannes Bugenhagen, Philip Melanchthon and Martin Luther.

[edit]
  • Interior: view down the nave towards the altar
    Interior: view down the nave towards the altar
  • The steeple of All Saints' Church. The inscription Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott runs just below its base.
    The steeple of All Saints' Church. The inscription Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott runs just below its base.
  • Statue of Saxonian prince-elector Frederick III, "the Wise"
    Statue of Saxonian prince-elector Frederick III, "the Wise"
  • Organ
    Organ
  • Memorial to Prussian princes
    Memorial to Prussian princes
  • Chandelier
    Chandelier

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

All Saints' Church, Wittenberg

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All Saints' Church, Wittenberg, commonly known as the Castle Church (Schlosskirche), is a late Gothic parish church in Wittenberg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, serving as a central site of the Protestant Reformation.
Commissioned by Elector Frederick III of Saxony ("the Wise") and constructed from 1490 to 1509 on the foundations of a 14th-century chapel built by the Ascanian dukes around 1340, the church exemplifies late Gothic architecture with elements bridging into the Renaissance.
On 31 October 1517, Martin Luther, an Augustinian friar and professor of theology at the University of Wittenberg, nailed his Ninety-Five Theses to the church door, publicly disputing the Roman Catholic practice of selling indulgences and thereby launching the Reformation movement that fractured Western Christianity.
The church houses the tombs of Luther, who died in 1546 and was interred there three days after his funeral procession arrived, and his collaborator Philipp Melanchthon.
Notable features include bronze doors installed in 1858 by Prussian King Frederick William IV, inscribed with the Theses in Latin, replacing the original wooden doors lost to fire in 1760; a prominent tower bearing the inscription of Luther's hymn "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott"; and its status as part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Luther sites since 1996.

Historical Development

Origins and Early Construction

The origins of All Saints' Church trace to the mid-14th century, when the Ascanian dukes of Saxe-Wittenberg erected an All Saints' Chapel (Allerheiligenkapelle) adjacent to their castle residence and established a collegiate foundation (Kollegiatstift Allerheiligen) staffed by canons to perform liturgical services. This foundation, dated to approximately 1340, served as the ecclesiastical core of the site, integrating with the electoral castle complex amid the transition from Ascanian to Wettin rule in following the electors' elevation in 1356. The present Late Gothic structure represents a major reconstruction initiated under the Wettin Elector Frederick III (the Wise), with construction commencing in 1489 or 1490 on the foundations of the original 14th-century castle. Designed by the architect Konrad Pflüger, a leading figure in late medieval German architecture known for his work in hall churches and towers, the building progressed in phases, incorporating a basilica plan with nave, aisles, and a prominent tower reaching 88 meters. The church was partially consecrated as All Saints' Church in 1503, though full completion extended to 1509, aligning with Wittenberg's emergence as a university town and electoral seat. This early construction emphasized functional integration with the castle, including fortified elements reflective of the era's defensive needs, while the collegiate canons continued their role until the Reformation's disruptions. The project's scale—encompassing over 1,000 cubic meters of stonework—underscored the electors' investment in a dynastic and spiritual landmark, predating the events that later defined its legacy.

The 1517 Theses and Reformation Catalyst

On October 31, 1517, , an Augustinian friar and professor of theology at the University of , publicly posted his Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences—commonly known as the —on the door of All Saints' Church in . The church door functioned as the official for academic announcements and theological disputations at the university, making it a standard venue for inviting scholarly debate rather than an act of vandalism. While tradition holds that Luther nailed the document to the wooden door, contemporary eyewitness accounts are absent, and Luther himself only referenced posting it in his later writings; some historians view the nailing as a later embellishment, though the public affixing to initiate debate remains undisputed. The theses directly critiqued the Roman Catholic Church's practice of selling indulgences, certificates purportedly reducing time in , which were aggressively marketed by Dominican friar in the region to fund the reconstruction of in . Luther argued that true and in Christ's , not monetary payments, addressed sin's guilt and punishment, grounding his position in scriptural interpretation over ecclesiastical tradition. Written in Latin for academic audiences, the was quickly translated into German and disseminated via the recently invented , reaching a wide lay audience within weeks and igniting theological controversy across Europe. All Saints' Church, as the Schlosskirche or castle church serving the electoral residence of , amplified the event's impact due to its association with —known as "the Wise"—who had founded the University of in 1502 and patronized the church's relic collection, including purported artifacts like a thorn from Christ's crown. Frederick's territorial sovereignty provided Luther initial protection from immediate ecclesiastical reprisal, allowing the theses' ideas to foment without swift suppression, unlike in more papal-aligned regions. This environment enabled subsequent events, such as the 1519 Leipzig Disputation, where Luther's views on papal authority were further aired, escalating tensions toward his 1521 excommunication by . The posting thus catalyzed the Protestant Reformation by transforming a local academic critique into a broader challenge to Catholic sacramental and hierarchical structures, fostering movements emphasizing (scripture alone) and (faith alone). The church's door, though replaced in later centuries, symbolized this rupture, drawing pilgrims and underscoring Wittenberg's role as the Reformation's epicenter under Frederick's indirect safeguarding, which delayed Luther's arrest until the 1521 . Without the church's public platform and the elector's restraint against papal demands, the theses might have remained an obscure disputation rather than the spark for doctrinal schism and confessional states.

Post-Reformation Alterations and Reconstructions

Following the adoption of Lutheran worship after 1517, All Saints' Church underwent adaptations for Protestant services, emphasizing preaching from the while retaining much of its medieval interior, in line with Martin Luther's opposition to radical . The church sustained significant damage in 1760 during the Seven Years' War, when bombardment by Prussian forces ignited a fire that destroyed the original wooden doors and severely compromised the structure, reducing much of it to rubble. Reconstruction commenced promptly thereafter, restoring the building to functionality while preserving its foundational elements. In 1858, Prussian King Frederick William IV commissioned replacement doors for the portal, featuring cast inscriptions of Luther's in Latin, serving as a permanent monument after the 1760 originals were lost. A comprehensive restoration project began in 1883, coinciding with the quadricentennial of Luther's birth, transforming the church into a dedicated memorial under imperial Prussian patronage, including enhancements to the where the inscription from Luther's Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott was affixed below its base. The work, supported by Emperor , concluded with a re-inauguration on October 31, 1892—375 years after the Theses posting—reinstating late Gothic features and integrating symbolic elements like the organ's 1892 reconstruction. Further preservation efforts from 2013 to 2016 addressed structural deterioration and prepared the site for the 2017 Reformation quincentennial, involving roof repairs, facade cleaning, and interior conservation, culminating in a reopening on October 2, 2016.

Architectural and Artistic Elements

Structural Design and Features

All Saints' Church exemplifies late Gothic architecture, constructed primarily as a masonry structure under the direction of architect Conrad Pflüger from 1490 to 1511. The building features a net vault system, characteristic of late Gothic design, with rib vaults supporting an interior length of 55 meters and a height to the vault key of 22 meters. Its floor plan consists of a central nave flanked by narrow side aisles that transition directly into the choir without a transept, emphasizing verticality and simplicity typical of the period. The church's prominent round tower, standing at 88 meters tall and erected in 1496, originally served as part of the adjacent before its integration into the church structure during 19th-century restorations. This tower includes a viewing platform at approximately 52 meters and bears an inscription from Martin Luther's "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" added during rebuilding efforts. The vaults and overall framework sustained damage from a 1760 fire caused by French bombardment in the Seven Years' War, leading to subsequent repairs and a major Neo-Gothic restoration between 1883 and 1892 that preserved and enhanced original elements like the ribbed ceilings. Exterior features include large windows separated by buttresses, supporting the Gothic emphasis on light and height, while the interior maintains a relatively plain design focused on structural integrity and commemorative functions. The church's integration with the castle complex historically included surrounding moats, underscoring its fortified origins before evolving into a primary ecclesiastical site.

Tombs, Monuments, and Surviving Artwork

The tombs of and Philipp Melanchthon are located within the of All Saints' Church. Luther, who died on February 18, 1546, was buried near the , approximately 2.4 meters below the floor level, with his grave marked by a block featuring a plate added after 1560. Melanchthon, who died in 1560, is interred at the base of a pillar opposite Luther's site, similarly marked by a block and plate, with additional inscription tablets detailing his life nearby. Prominent princely tombs include those of Elector Frederick III ("the Wise"), who died in 1525 and was buried in the princely crypt beneath the altar, and his successor John the Steadfast, who died in 1532 and shares the same crypt. Frederick's bronze epitaph, a 4-meter-high work executed in 1527 by Peter Vischer the Younger of the Nuremberg Vischer workshop, stands on the north wall and depicts the elector kneeling in prayer. John's bronze epitaph, created in 1534 by Hans Vischer, is positioned on the south wall. These metal monuments, along with a Renaissance bronze epitaph for Henning Goede from around 1521 by the Vischer workshop depicting the coronation of Mary, represent the primary surviving pre-Reformation artworks, as many interior furnishings were lost during wartime destructions, including the 1760 Siege of Wittenberg. Additional surviving elements include two marble kneeling knight statues, likely representing Frederick and John and possibly sculpted around 1520–1521 by Hans and Adolf Daucher, as well as a 1891 bronze copy of Luther's epitaph on the south wall, based on a design by Heinrich Ziegler the Younger drawing from Lucas Cranach the Elder's imagery. Later 19th-century additions, such as nine limestone statues of reformers by Rudolf Siemering around 1890 and 22 bronze medallions of Reformation figures on the gallery arches, commemorate the site's historical significance but postdate the original artistic ensemble. The durability of bronze and metal works has ensured their preservation amid the church's turbulent history, contrasting with the loss of painted altarpieces and other fragile media.

The Commemorative Theses Doors

The Commemorative Theses Doors, located on the north side of All Saints' Church, consist of bronze portals cast to replace the original wooden door destroyed during the Seven Years' War (1756–1763). Installed in 1858 to mark the 375th anniversary of Martin Luther's birth on November 10, 1483, the doors serve as a symbolic tribute to the traditional account of Luther affixing his there on , 1517. The original door's loss underscores the absence of direct physical evidence from the 1517 event, with the commemorative installation reflecting 19th-century Prussian efforts to monumentalize the Reformation's origins amid growing national and Protestant identity. Crafted in bronze for durability, the doors prominently feature the complete Latin text of Luther's inscribed across their panels, rendering the document accessible as a historical artifact. This design choice emphasizes textual fidelity over pictorial narrative, aligning with the Theses' role as a scholarly against indulgences rather than a manifesto in Luther's initial intent. While the nailing tradition—popularized in later accounts like those by —symbolizes bold defiance, contemporary scholarship questions whether Luther physically nailed the document, suggesting instead that he posted it via customary academic channels or mailed copies to authorities. The doors nonetheless perpetuate the iconic imagery, drawing visitors as a focal point of the church's World Heritage status since 1996.

Theological Significance and Controversies

Catalyst for Protestant Reforms

On October 31, 1517, , an Augustinian friar and theology professor at the University of Wittenberg, publicly posted his on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences—comprising 95 theses challenging the Roman Catholic Church's practice of selling indulgences—on the door of All Saints' Church, known as the Schlosskirche. The church door functioned as the customary bulletin board for academic announcements from the university, making this an invitation to scholarly disputation rather than an overt act of defiance, though it rapidly escalated into broader controversy. Luther's theses primarily critiqued the theological basis for indulgences, arguing they undermined true repentance and exploited believers' fears of , in response to Dominican friar Johann Tetzel's aggressive fundraising campaign to finance the reconstruction of in . The posting at All Saints' Church amplified the theses' visibility due to the site's prominence: as the electoral chapel of under Frederick III, "the Wise," it drew scholars, clergy, and locals, including during the All Saints' festival. Within weeks, printed copies—leveraging the recent invention of the movable-type press—circulated across , translating Luther's Latin arguments into languages and sparking debates on papal , justification by faith, and clerical abuses. This dissemination transformed a local academic protest into a continent-wide movement, with early supporters like and Philipp Melanchthon engaging publicly, while opponents, including Tetzel and , issued rebuttals that hardened positions. The church's role as ground zero for this event symbolized the Reformation's roots in , fostering a network of reformers who rejected indulgences as unscriptural and emphasized and . Subsequent events tied to the Schlosskirche solidified its catalytic status: Luther's evolving critiques, defended in sermons and writings from the church, culminated in his 1520 excommunication by and the 1521 Edict of Worms, yet Elector Frederick's protection—exemplified by hiding Luther at Wartburg Castle—allowed the ideas to proliferate unchecked. By 1522, the church hosted the first Lutheran Mass in German, with both bread and wine for , marking practical liturgical reforms that spread Protestant practices. The theses' challenge eroded confidence in ecclesiastical hierarchy, contributing causally to the fragmentation of Western Christendom into Protestant denominations, with over 100 million adherents by the 16th century's end, as economic grievances against Rome's wealth extraction fueled lay support in German principalities. While Catholic apologists later minimized the event's drama, primary accounts and the rapid doctrinal shifts it provoked underscore the Schlosskirche's pivotal function in igniting empirical scrutiny of medieval doctrines.

Iconoclasm Debates and Luther's Interventions

During the early in , debates over religious images intensified following Martin Luther's posting of the at All Saints' Church on October 31, 1517, as reformers questioned Catholic practices including the veneration of icons, crucifixes, and altarpieces housed in churches like All Saints'. Andreas Bodenstein von Karlstadt, a theologian and early Luther ally, advocated radical , arguing in his 1522 treatise On the Removal of Idols that images violated the Second Commandment by fostering and should be removed from churches to purify worship. Karlstadt's position, influenced by scriptural literalism, gained traction amid Luther's absence in hiding at the Wartburg Castle after the 1521 , leading to iconoclastic disturbances in churches starting in December 1521, including the defacement and removal of painted images and statues. These events created unrest in , the epicenter of activity centered around All Saints' Church, where ornate artworks such as the Lucas Cranach altarpiece symbolized contested Catholic traditions. In early 1522, student-led riots escalated, targeting crucifixes and relics in local parishes, with Karlstadt preaching against images as "books of the laity" that misled the faithful toward rather than scriptural truth. Luther, informed of the chaos threatening orderly reform, returned to Wittenberg on March 7, 1522, and delivered eight sermons over the following days, condemning forced as disruptive to Christian liberty and emphasizing that external changes must follow internal faith renewal. Luther's interventions restored calm, annulling some of Karlstadt's reforms like mandatory lay while defending the retention of images as —matters indifferent to salvation unless abused for . He argued biblically that no commandment prohibits images outright, citing precedents for non-worshipped artwork, and viewed them as potential teaching aids for the unlearned, provided they prompted reflection on Christ rather than . This stance, elaborated in his 1525 Against the Heavenly Prophets in the Matter of Images and Sacraments, prevented widespread destruction in , preserving elements in All Saints' Church such as its surviving altarpiece and windows, in contrast to more radical reforms elsewhere. Karlstadt's , deemed overly precipitous by Luther, highlighted tensions between gradual scriptural reform and immediate purging, shaping Lutheran practice to tolerate images without mandating their removal.

Catholic Critiques and Ecumenical Perspectives

The posting of Martin Luther's 95 Theses on the door of All Saints' Church on October 31, 1517, prompted swift condemnation from Catholic authorities, who interpreted the document as an assault on papal authority and the sacrament of penance, particularly its critique of indulgences as a means to remit temporal punishment for sins. responded with the bull on June 15, 1520, which censured 41 propositions from Luther's writings as heretical, scandalous, or offensive to pious ears, demanding within 60 days. Luther's public burning of the bull on December 10, 1520, led to his formal excommunication via the bull on January 3, 1521, marking the escalation from academic disputation to outright centered on the Wittenberg events. Catholic critiques have maintained that Luther overstated indulgence abuses—such as Johann Tetzel's aggressive fundraising for —while rejecting foundational doctrines like the existence of and the Church's treasury of merits, which undergird the practice as a legitimate application of Christ's merits to the faithful. Theologians argue this Wittenberg-initiated challenge not only ignored concurrent internal Church reforms but precipitated doctrinal errors, including and the denial of , resulting in centuries of division, religious wars, and the loss of sacramental unity affecting millions. These perspectives underscore that true reform, as later pursued at the (1545–1563), affirmed indulgences while curbing abuses, contrasting Luther's approach as causal to unnecessary rupture rather than purification. Ecumenical efforts have reframed the church's significance from a site of confrontation to one of potential reconciliation, particularly through the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification signed on October 31, 1999, by the and the . This agreement resolved core disputes by affirming shared beliefs in justification by grace through , declaring that 16th-century mutual condemnations no longer apply to present teachings on . Around the 500th anniversary in 2017, hosted ecumenical affirmations, including Reformed churches' endorsement of the declaration during services at the church, emphasizing collaborative witness over historical antagonism. These initiatives highlight a shift toward common ground on grace and works, though persistent differences on authority and sacraments limit full unity.

Modern Status and Preservation

Recent Renovations and Restorations

In 1999–2000, the church underwent an extensive restoration of its roof truss, culminating in the installation of a new roof featuring colored glazed tiles replicating the design from 1892. This work addressed structural vulnerabilities while preserving historical aesthetics. A more comprehensive began around 2012, spanning approximately four years and costing 7.8 million euros, in preparation for the 500th of the Protestant in 2017. The project encompassed interior and exterior repairs, including stabilization and preservation efforts to ensure the site's condition for increased visitation during the . The church reopened on October 2, 2016, following completion of these works, which were funded through a combination of ecclesiastical, governmental, and heritage preservation contributions. Subsequent to the 2017 anniversary, no major structural renovations to the church itself have been documented up to 2025, though ongoing maintenance supports its status as a World Heritage component. These efforts underscore the church's role as a preserved landmark, balancing conservation with public accessibility.

Current Role and Visitor Access

All Saints' Church continues to function as an active Evangelical-Lutheran , home to the Castle Church Congregation established in 1949 with approximately 120 members. The congregation conducts regular services, including English-language options for international visitors, alongside studies, discussion groups, and children's programs. plays a central role, featuring a gospel choir, chamber choir, ensemble, and frequent organ concerts. As a key historical site, the church attracts tourists interested in its Reformation heritage, including the 95 Theses doors and tombs of and Philipp Melanchthon. It hosts special events such as services on October 31, maintaining its theological prominence within Lutheran tradition while serving as part of the World Heritage-listed Luther Sites. Visitors access the church via the visitor center in the adjacent castle courtyard, where a preservation fee applies: €3 for adults and €1 reduced rate (for students up to age 27, disabled persons, and family/social pass holders); combi-tickets with nearby sites like the Town Church start at €5 for adults. The interior is open for self-guided exploration, though no regular public guided tours are offered—private groups may arrange them separately. Entry involves stairs, and availability may be limited during services or events. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and /public holidays 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (shorter winter hours from to : until 4:00 p.m.). The church tower, providing 360-degree views of , requires a separate €3 adult ticket (€2 reduced; free for children under 3), with the last ascent one hour before closing and access via stairs.

References

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  33. https://brill.com/display/book/9789004527430/BP000015.xml?language=en
  34. https://images.artsmia.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/01090817/LIN170256_Luther_TeacherGuide.pdf
  35. https://saint-marks.squarespace.com/s/LutherFacts25.pdf
  36. https://the-conservative-reformer.squarespace.com/articles/against-iconoclasm
  37. https://allthehousehold.com/images-within-lutheran-liturgical-living/
  38. https://sattler.edu/blog/andreas-karlstadt-debates-luther-and-publishes-whether-one-should-proceed-slowly/
  39. https://blogs.loc.gov/international-collections/2017/10/martin-luther-as-priest-heretic-and-outlaw-the-reformation-at-500/
  40. https://www.nls.uk/collections/stories/scottish-history/how-martin-luther-sparked-the-reformation/
  41. https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/walking-the-fine-line-on-indulgences
  42. https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2017/07/07/reformed-churches-endorse-catholic-lutheran-accord-key-reformation-dispute
  43. https://www.oikoumene.org/news/wcc-hails-wittenberg-declaration-aiming-to-overcome-reformation-divisions
  44. https://www.crcna.org/news-and-events/news/historic-agreements-signed-wittenberg
  45. https://schlosskirche-wittenberg.de/index.php/en/entdecken-en/historie-en
  46. https://www.mz.de/lokal/wittenberg/schlosskirche-wittenberg-sanierung-fur-7-8-millionen-euro-1171037
  47. https://www.ekd.de/aktuell_presse/news_2016_05_12_01_schlosskirche_wittenberg_restaurierung.html
  48. https://www.schlosskirche-wittenberg.de/index.php/en/glauben-en/schlosskirchengemeinde-en
  49. https://schlosskirche-wittenberg.de/index.php/en/besuchen-en/tickets
  50. https://www.schlosskirche-wittenberg.de/index.php/en/?view=article&id=28:current-information-for-our-visitors&catid=2
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