Tourist Attractions in Wittenberg

The handsome Town Hall (Rathaus; 1524-40) in Wittenberg has four Renaissance gables, Late Gothic windows, a balcony (by Georg Schröter, 1573) over the doorway and rich decoration (allegorical figures, columns; the goddess Justitia, with scales and sword).

The Augusteum (1564-83) in Wittenberg, adjoining the Luther House, originally belonged to the University. It was rebuilt in Baroque style in the 18th C.

Adjoining St Mary's Church in Wittenberg is the Chapel of the Holy Body (Kapelle zum Heiligen Leichnam; 1377), in brick-built Gothic style, with a strikingly slender tower.

The Cranach House at Schlo-strasse 1 in Wittenberg was the home of Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553), who lived in the city from 1505 to 1547. Court painter to the Elector of Saxony, he also became burgomaster of Wittenberg and was the owner of a pharmacy in the town.

To the south of the Schlosskirche in Wittenberg stands the Schloss, the old Electoral residence (by Claus Roder and Conrad Pflüger, 1490-1525), which suffered damage in 1760 during the Seven Years War, and lost its original Late Gothic aspect during the subsequent rebuilding. It still preserves two staircases, balconies with friezes of coats of arms and a massive corner tower. The castle now houses the Julius Riemer Museum of Natural History and Ethnography, the Municipal Archives and a Museum on the History of the Town.

Immediately adjoining the Wittenberg Town Hall are the Market Fountain (1617) and bronze statues of Martin Luther (by Gottfried Schadow, 1821; iron canopy by K. F. Schinkel) and Philip Melanchthon (by Friedrich Drake, 1860; iron canopy by J. H. Strack).