Frequently asked questions:



Why ist the Castle Church called “Castle Church”?


Prince Frederick the Wise had a 4 winged renaissance castle built in 1489 on the place of the old Wittenberg fortress. The Castle Church is the Northeast wing of this no longer completely existing Castle.


How old is the Church?


The foundation of the church are around 500 years old. During the 7-Years War the church was almost completely destroyed. In the war in 1813 the church was only slightly damaged. The building we see today was built in the period from 1883 – 1892. This new building was constructed in the Neo-Gothic style. The Castle Church was not damaged in the two world wars of the past century.


What confession does the Castle Church belong to?


How is the Castle Church used today?


In 1503 the Castle Church was blessed as the Roman Catholic Castle and Foundation Church “All Saints”. Starting in 1525 Lutheran worship was celebrated in the Castle Church. Today the Castle Church is used for worship, baptisms, weddings and church music events. Each year aproximately 180,000 visitors from around the world visit this memorial of the Reformation.


Where is Martin Luther’s grave?


Four days after Luther’s death in the town of his birth, Eisleben, Luther was buried near the Pulpit in the Castle Church in Wittenberg. His casket is buried aprox. 2.4 meters deep and can not be accessed.


Who is buried in the Castle Church?


The Castle Church served the Wittenberg University, Leucorea, as university church and burial place of the professors in the years 1507 till 1815. Next to Martin Luther’s grave is the grave of his friend and fellow reformer, Philipp Melanchthon (Germany’s teacher). In front of the altar are the graves of Princes Friedrich the Wise and Johann the Persevering. Underneath the entry hall is the crypt of the Ascanian princes.


Where is the grave of Katharina von Bora, Luther’s wife?


Katharina von Bora is buried in the Town Church of Saint Mary’s in Torgau.


Where did Martin Luther preach?


Martin Luther preached for 30 years in the Town Church of Saint Mary’s. Some occasional sermons held in the Castle Church have been handed down to us.


When and where was the famous nailing of the 95 Theses?


According to the history handed down to us, Martin Luther made his 95 Theses (written in Latin) against the misuse of the sale of absolution publicly known on October 31st, 1517 on the main door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. In memory of this, there is a bronze door to the Castle Church from 1815 with all of the Theses on it. The original door was lost in the Seven-year War.


Where is the “Theses Door”?


The “Theses Door” is found on the outer North wall of the Castle Church.


Who built the organ in the Castle Church?


The organ builder Friedrich Ladegast built the organ in 1864. This organ was restored and expanded upon by the organ building company Hermann Eule of Bautzen in 1994. Now the organ has four manuals and pedalboard, 57 ranks and aprox. 3500 pipes. The action is purely mechanical.


How high is the tower of the Castle Church and how many steps are there to the top?


The Castle Church Tower is 88 meters high (288.7 feet). At a height of 52 meters (170 feet), there is a viewing platform open to the public. In order to enjoy this view of historic Wittenberg and the Elbe, one must climb 289 steps.


How many bells are found in the bell tower of the Castle Church?


Three bells with the pitch order of Bº D´ E´ ring to signal the beginning of worship. They were made in 1960 by the company Schilling and Sons in Apolda. They weigh 2667 (5879lbs), 1629 (3591lbs.) and 1126 (2482lbs.) kilogramms respectively.


Researched and compiled by

Ivo Behr (Church Sexton) and Thomas Jentzsch (Civil Service Worker 2006)