Luther’s Grave Plates

Posted on October 30, 2021 by vanbraman

Sunday is the 504th anniversary of the Reformation Movement.

Tonight I will share one of the posts I wrote about the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s posting on the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

Martin Luther Grave, Castle Church, Wittenberg, GermanyHere is the grave marker that is in the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany.

The bronze plaque was originally at floor level, but in 1892 was placed on this knee-high sandstone plinth.

A translation of the Latin inscription reads:

Here lies buried the body of Martin Luther, Doctor of Sacred Theology. He died in the year of Christ 1546 on February 18 in his paternal city of Eisleben at the age of 63 years, 2 months, 10 days.

What you may not know is that this is not the original grave marker for Martin Luther.

Martin Luther Grave, Grave Plate, Wittenberg, Germany, Castle Church

In this picture you can see a large bronze plate on the wall. This is a copy of what was to be the grave plate for Martin Luther. The copy was made in 1892 and installed in the Castle Church.

Martin Luther, Castle Church, Wittenberg, GermanyThe copy of the original grave plate is quite large and impressive.

The words around the border are in Latin and are translated:

In the year 1546, on February 18, the most honorable Martin Luther, Doctor of Theology, was called home from this fleeting life. Even on his deathbed he firmly testified his teaching to have been the true doctrine necessary to the church (for salvation), and commended his soul to God in faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. He died at the age of 63 years after more than 30 years spent in conscientious and successful work for the edification of the people of God in this city. But his body lied buried here. Isaiah 52: ‘How beautiful are the feet of him who publishes peace’

Martin Luther Gravestone, Jena, Germany, Original Gravestone, St. Michael's churchHere is the original bronze grave plate that was commissioned for the grave of Martin Luther. The transportation of the grave plate to Wittenberg was held up by the Schmalkaldic War and ended up in the St. Michael church in Jena, Germany.

The grave plate was made by Henry Zeigler who was a bell maker in Erfurt, Germany. The image was modeled after a painting of Martin Luther by Lucas Cranach the Elder.

St. Michael Church, Jena, Germany, Martin LutherI have walked by the church several times this week and hopefully will be able to go inside tomorrow and take some more pictures.

I had planned on visiting Wittenberg again today, but since I have a cold I decided to keep close to the hotel during this rainy day.

Steven

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Wittenberg Panorama

Posted on October 29, 2021 by vanbraman

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.

Wittenberg 360, Yadegar Asisi, Luther 1517, ReformationThe 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.

Wittenberg 360, Yadegar Asisi, Luther 1517, ReformationThe 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.

Wittenberg 360, Yadegar Asisi, Luther 1517, ReformationThere 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.

Wittenberg 360, Yadegar Asisi, Luther 1517, ReformationI 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.

Wittenberg 360, Yadegar Asisi, Luther 1517, ReformationThe 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

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