Martin Luther’s appearance before the diet of worms Reichstag was a turning point in the history of the Church. The attempt to stifle the Reformation in the Bud, miss long. Anyone who enters the city on Luther’s traces, requires a lot of imagination.
In worms, the heylshof Park, visitors can follow in the footsteps of the reformer. Two large bronze shoes show, where the Wittenberg theology Professor Martin Luther (1483-1546) refused to 1521 during the Wormser Reichstag, to his teachings, to renounce. But, if the ten day stay will be just once in Worms for the history of the Reformation, may have been authentic Luther, the city can provide sites.
“After the Second world war, the Lutheran city of Worms par excellence in the West, because the others were not accessible,” says the urban culture coordinator Volker Gallé. Because of Eisenach, and Wittenberg were behind the Iron curtain, was the 80,000-inhabitant city in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate to the scene of many a Central and a West German commemorative events and Church conferences.
Since 1868, it’s part of the city image – the reformation monument in Worms
“If so much of hell were at Worms as tiles on the roofs, so I want to”, should Luther have the warnings before a trip to Worms scattered. His followers had sensed in the guaranteed free passage, a List. Allegedly, the 37-Year-old should be escaped before the historic speech, even in his hostel, the Johanniterhof, just a poison attack. Tour guide Gisela Neumeister tells tourists to the reformation guides, at least the legend wanted to SIP on the wine glass that is just to be cracked in time as Luther.
Truth and legend
In the spring of 1521 Luther was excommunicated because of his theses by the Church. However, he had the support of a number of German princes, to him the opportunity of a last defense, gave a speech in front of the Wormser Reichstag, and the Emperor Charles V.. And also on its of severe abdominal cramps accompanied journey, he was greeted enthusiastically by supporters.
Luther in front of the Reichstag – wood engraving, 1877, by Frederick hotten Roth
The appearance of the “great heretic master,” verschrienen of Luther in a monk’s cowl was different, however, than of the Emperor and the Church is expected to: The reformer, said that he could not recant his views against the own Conscience. Through the Bible he felt confirmed. The exclamation “Here I stand, I can not fell otherwise”, which detracted from the historic significance of the speech, however. Is said: “God help me! Amen.“
The were the princes, and the Emperor did not like. With the edict of worms prohibition of Charles V. not only the writings of Luther, he also said its support and declared him free as a bird. As the edict was published in may, was Luther already in safety at the Wartburg near Eisenach.
Foreign visitors it attracts to the Original locations
A cursory tour in Luther’s footsteps through the many Wars, destroyed city on the Rhine disillusioned: Where once the Johanniterhof, protrudes soulless post-war architecture. In addition to the Woolworth Department store, a commemorative plaque, and the only reminder of the famous guest. The Wormser Bishop’s Palace, site of the Reichstag, was in the 17th century. Century destroyed. A private Foundation has created a Park. In particular, foreign visitors prefer to, nevertheless, magically to the location, says tour guide Neumeister: “This is for many people the Highlight.”
The largest of the Luther Statue in the world
The lack of Luther-the sights, the citizens of the majority suffered Lich Protestant city in the 19th century. Century. The world’s largest Luther monument was built with donations from home and abroad in 1868. The larger-than-life reformer, stands on a Pedestal in the center of a sculpture group between companions such as Philipp Melanchthon and Philipp the magnanimous as well as thought leaders of the Church reform such as Jan Hus and Peter Waldus. The tour also reveals the small Evangelical Magnus Church, in the morning in the sense of Luther, was preached.
2017 Worms is expecting a small boom. To the 500. Anniversary of the theses to the door of the town staged its own reformation history, culture coordinator Gallé. Just a “education has been – and dedicated to-experience-course” Luther’s stay in Worms in 1521. And at the scene of the Reichstag for all speakers of trees down at the passers-by with some questions.
Karsten Packeiser (epd)