On October 22, 2016 a gigantic 360 degree panorama was opened to the public in Wittenberg, Germany. I just happened to be in Wittenberg that day although I waited until afternoon to visit when the crowds were less.

At the time it was mentioned that it would stay open for just over five years to October 31, 2021. Since that is only a few days away, I checked to see if it was indeed closing and found out that it has been extended to 2024 so you still have time to visit this wonderful panorama.

Here is what I wrote five years ago:

Today a gigantic 360 degree panorama was opened to the public in Wittenberg, Germany.

The panorama shows Wittenberg at the time of Martin Luther.

The panorama is the work of Yadegar Asisi, who has completed other giant panoramas of both natural and historic themes.

You can see here that the building is about four stories high.

The inner walls of the building are lined with a massive 1,100 m² painting of Wittenberg at the time of Martin Luther. The painting is full of detail.

There is a three level platform in the center of the room from where you can view the painting from different angles.

What is really amazing is that the lighting changes so that you can see Wittenberg by day and by night. Also certain areas of the painting are lit up at different times.

A wonderful soundtrack is also playing in time with the lighting changes.

This is definitely not just a large picture, it is a multi-media experience.

I did not know that the panorama was going to open today until last night when I received an e-mail from a colleague who knew my plans were to go to Wittenberg this weekend.

I am glad that I found out about it as it is definitely something that you will want to see if you visit Wittenberg.

The Luther 1517 panorama will be open for at least five years, so you have plenty of time to plan a visit to Wittenberg.

The panorama is one of many new or restored venues that are being prepared for 2017 and the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 theses to the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

The panorama is near the train station in Wittenberg, but I am glad that I walked through the town before coming back to see the panorama. I was able to pick out many of the locations that I had visited during the day.

Steven