Saxony-Anhalt
Germany’s Cultural
Treasure Chest
www.saxony-anhalt-tourism.eu
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» You are invited
to Saxony-Anhalt:
Germany’s cultural
treasure chest. «
Two decades after the peaceful revolution and the subsequent
reunification of Germany, it is time to discover – or re-discover –
the cultural heart of Germany. Despite the rebirth of our state, our
heritage has never changed.
In the past twenty years we have worked hard to restore our
magnificent castles and impressive cathedrals, powerful fortresses
and atmospheric old towns. So now, I would like you to visit these
magical places, with stories that resonate around the world. At
the same time, we have built competitive new businesses, many
of which trade abroad, often with our friends in the United States
of America. In fact, we attract more inward investment than any
other former East German state.
We believe that much of our success, both present and future, is
built on our past. Although Germany’s cultural treasure chest is
about the same size as New Jersey, it has long stood at a cultural
crossroads. Our history stretches back over a thousand years and
includes many famous people, who have influenced the world:
/Martin Luther, the reformer and catalyst for the
Protestant Reformation
/Otto von Bismarck, who unified the nation state
that is Germany
/ J. S. Bach and George Frederick Handel, two of the
world’s great composers
/Lucas Cranach, the finest painter of his era
/ Walter Gropius, the architect and founder of
the Bauhaus
Stephan Dorgerloh
Secretary for Education
and Culture
As I have mentioned, we have glorious buildings, from churches and castles
to half-timbered houses and 20th-century classics designed by the Bauhaus
(the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation continues here in Saxony-Anhalt).
But, it is the great individuals, both men and women, who have inspired us
for centuries. What’s more, many of them sailed to the U.S.A. and left their
mark on American history.
/Henry Muhlenberg was the Patriarch of the Lutheran Church
in North America; his descendants played a major role in U.S. politics
and government.
/ Friedrich von Steuben was General Washington’s Chief of Staff
and is remembered across the U.S.A. with annual German-American
Steuben Parades.
I invite you to read through the following pages, which also take you to our
gardens, vineyards and unspoiled countryside; to our classical concerts and
traditional Christmas markets; and, of course, our taverns – places to meet
and chat to locals. After all, as I said, we are all about people.
Willkommen in Sachsen-Anhalt!
Welcome to Saxony-Anhalt!
Stephan Dorgerloh
Secretary for Education and Culture
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VINEYARDS SURROUND
FREYBURG (UNSTRUT)
UNESCO WORLD
HERITAGE
Saxony-Anhalt
a federal state of Germany
Capital:
Magdeburg
Area:
7,895 square miles
Population: 2.5 million
www.sachsen-anhalt.de
Saxony-Anhalt has more UNESCO World
Heritage sites than any other state in
Germany. This honor places some of the
state‘s greatest treasures on the same level
of cultural importance as the Pyramids
in Egypt, the Great Wall of China and the
Statue of Liberty in the U.S.A. The four
sites are: the Old Town of Quedlinburg, the
sites associated with Luther in Lutherstadt
Wittenberg and Lutherstadt Eisleben, the
Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom and the
Bauhaus in Dessau.
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Lifting the lid on Saxony-Anhalt’s
1,000-year-old cultural treasure chest
reveals a surprisingly wide array of riches.
There are great musicians and great
architects, historic buildings and glorious
gardens, fine wines and inspired artists.
And there are men who sailed the Atlantic to make a major impact on the history
of the United States of America.
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SAXONY-ANHALT’S
CULTURAL TREASURE
CHEST
THE AMERICAN
CONNECTION
WINE AND FOOD
Saxony-Anhalters in the U.S.A.
Local specialties
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ANNUAL FESTIVALS
AND EVENTS
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MARTIN LUTHER
CULTURAL
POWERHOUSE
CONTEMPORARY
CREATIVITY
MAP OF
SAXONY-ANHALT
and the Protestant Reformation
From art to music
New names, new ideas
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THE BAUHAUS
A SAXONY-ANHALT
SPECIALTY
THE GREEN STATE
Changing the way we live
Half-timbered houses
World class gardens
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MARTIN LUTHER
and the
Protestant
Church
What started out as an attempt to reform the
Roman Catholic Church in Europe led to what
is known as the Protestant Reformation. This
was not just one single event; it was a string
of episodes that resulted in a massive change.
When Martin Luther strode on to the stage
of history, he was the right man in the right
place and at the right time. After much study
of the Bible, he decided that salvation was a
personal matter between man and God. He
also objected to practices such as the selling of
“indulgences,” seen by many as a way of “buying your way into heaven.” He argued that the
Catholic Church had to be reformed, so that it
would be more fair, less greedy and accessible
to all.
MARTIN LUTHER
(1483-1546)
In 1508, Martin Luther took up a teaching position
at the university in Wittenberg. Nine years later,
on October 31, 1517, the 34-year-old monk nailed
his “95 Theses” to the door of the Castle Church in
this important trading town. His act of defiance
set in motion a chain of events that changed the
history of the world.
Debate was one thing, but a public challenge
to papal authority was a serious matter. After
Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door, this
highly-intellectual German monk was condemned as a heretic and declared an outlaw by the
church. But his action prompted theological
discussion and many agreed with his views.
And, there was more. Luther translated the
New Testament into German, believing that
ordinary people should be able to read the
Holy Scripture for themselves. Published in
1522, the first edition sold out; demand
continued and in two years, it was reprinted
over 60 times. The subsequent edition (1534),
with both Old and New Testaments, continued
to be a “bestseller.”
The Luther decade
In 2017, Protestant communities around the world will celebrate Martin Luther’s
famous act of protest in Wittenberg. What he did – and why – resonated over the
years and across the world. He may not have actually said, “Here I stand. I cannot do
otherwise.” But, his challenge to authority was based on the idea that an individual
had – and must follow – his own religious conscience. Once unleashed, that revolutionary idea could not be stopped. And, when Protestants sailed from the Old World
to the New a century or so later, one of the reasons for the journey was to have the
freedom to worship as they wished. | www.luther2017.de
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LUTHERSTADT
WITTENBERG
The Castle Church, where
Luther nailed his 95 Theses.
PHILIPP MELANCHTHON
(1497-1560)
Martin Luther was the lynchpin of the Reformation, but there
were others, who were important in the movement. One of these
was Philipp Melanchthon. A fellow professor at the University of
Wittenberg, he was a great friend to Luther, supporting, listening to and arguing with the Great Reformer. Preferring reason
to passion, Melanchthon stayed calm, even in heated debates,
and looked for areas of agreement with fellow Christians. He is
buried in the Castle Church in Wittenberg, close to Luther.
LUTHERSTADT
Wittenberg
Luther House
Now one of the four UNESCO
World Heritage sites in
Saxony-Anhalt, this former
Augustinian monastery
was Luther‘s home. Now a
museum of the Reformation,
the highlight is the Living
Room, with its 16th-century
furnishings. A professor at
Wittenberg University, many
of his conversations with his
colleagues and students are
collected in a book, Table
Talk (1566).
Katharina
von Bora
(1499-1552)
If ever there was a “power behind the
throne,” it was Katharina von Bora.
Born of a noble, but poor, family, she
was sent away to school and then
became a nun. In 1523, with the Reformation under way, she and 11 fellow
nuns escaped from their convent and
fled to Wittenberg. According to legend,
they were taken in by the painter Lucas
Cranach, who was a friend of Martin
Luther. On June 13, 1525, the 42-yearold former monk married the 26-yearold former nun. During their long and
happy marriage, she bore six children,
ran the household, organized the family
finances, dealt with Luther‘s publishers
– and was his sole heir.
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LUTHER
The man who changed history
Although Luther lived five centuries ago,
his presence is still tangible. In the cultural
treasure chest that is Saxony-Anhalt, visitors
can, literally, walk in his footsteps. They can
see pulpits from which he preached, and even
eat the sort of sausages that he would have
enjoyed. They can also see what he looked
like. As well as statues and portraits, there is
his death mask – and also a cast of his hands –
on display in Halle (Saale). Here, too, are copies
of the Bible with his hand-written notes.
Martin Luther was a passionate and charismatic
man. On the one hand, he had a ferocious
intellect; on the other, he enjoyed his beer and
food. He could be as stubborn as a mule, but
he was also great company and left thousands
of quotable quotes that are pithy, witty and
memorable. Although trained as a monk and
ordained a priest, he went on to choose a
different life. In 1525, he married a former nun,
Katharina von Bora (1499-1552) and become a
devoted father and family man.
In his later years, Luther continued to write,
teach and preach hundreds of sermons, despite
suffering from painful illnesses, such as kidney
stones. He also wrote music, including carols
and hymns, such as A Mighty Fortress Is Our
God.
LUTHER’S WEDDING
FESTIVAL
HALLE (SAALE)
WITTENBERG
LUTHERSTADT
EISLEBEN
Martin Luther’s
Birthplace
Yet another UNESCO World
Heritage site in SaxonyAnhalt, Eisleben is where
Luther was born, in 1483 –
and where he died, in 1546.
Destroyed by fire in 1689, the
Geburtshaus (his birthplace),
was reconstructed and soon
became an early example of
“heritage tourism.” Visitors
paid to see the bed where
he was, supposedly, born.
Today, the house also has a
fascinating exhibition about
Luther and the region where
he lived.
Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora were
married on June 13, 1525. That occasion is
celebrated every year with a three-day,
medieval-style party. The highlight is the
“wedding procession” – a pageant complete
with the couple and their friends, such as
portrait painter, Lucas Cranach the Elder.
In the center of the city is the Market Church
(Marktkirche), with its four spires. Just inside
is Luther’s death mask. Long after it was made,
the features were altered to disguise the effect
of a stroke on his eyelid. The gnarled fingers
on the cast of his right hand show that he also
suffered badly from rheumatism.
THE AMERICAN
CONNECTION
REBEL PRIESTS b Over 400 years after Martin Luther’s act of rebellion,
his story inspired another minister. In 1934, one Rev. Michael King from Georgia
attended the Fifth Baptist World Alliance Congress in Berlin. On that trip,
he “discovered” Luther. Inspired by the “rebel priest’s” struggle for personal
freedom, he changed his name to Martin Luther King. So did his son and
namesake, who became the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the driving force
behind the American Civil Rights Movement.
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THE BAUHAUS
Changing
the way we live
The Bauhaus philosophy addressed several
aspects and problems of modern life. One of
the primary themes was: How to maintain
the human element in an age of increasing
industrialization.
The founder and first director was Walter
Gropius (1883–1969), who later moved to the
U.S.A. He was followed by two more significant
architects, Hannes Meyer (1889–1954) and
Ludwig Mies van der Rohe (1886–1969). By
bringing together art, craft, and technology,
the Bauhaus aimed to create new designs for
new ways of living.
THE BAUHAUS
Just over eighty years ago, Dessau was at the
heart of a brand new design and architectural
movement that still affects the way we live today.
Founded in Weimar, the Bauhaus (it translates as
“Building School”) took root in Dessau. Between
1925 and 1932, this school of design brought
together architects, artists, and designers – and
its legacy continues in the 21st century!
No wonder it is yet another of Saxony-Anhalt‘s
UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Bauhaus professors and students valued
simplicity; they rejected the elaborate detail of
the popular late-19th and early-20th century
Art Nouveau style. Typical Bauhaus buildings
were cubic in shape, with flat roofs and plain
façades.
“Open plan” rooms and offices were the
norm; chairs, tables, and other furniture
were functional and quite simplistic. Using
modern materials and modern manufacturing
techniques, these could be produced on an
industrial scale and relatively cheaply. So, good
design did not have to be the prerogative of
the wealthy; it could be afforded by ordinary
people.
The Bauhaus movement included every facet
of the fine and the applied arts. From architecture and interior, graphic and industrial design
to painting and sculpture, all of these disciplines showed the influence of this innovative
school. For example, tubular steel furniture
in what is now referred to as the “Bauhaus
style” has become a timeless classic, the greatgrandfather of designs that are produced
today and appreciated the world over.
Saxony-Anhalt continues to be a cultural treasure chest for architects and designers. Not
only does Dessau boast the world’s largest
concentration of original Bauhaus architecture,
but the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation continues
to be a center of research, teaching, and experimental design.
Walter Gropius
(1883-1969)
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THE AMERICAN
CONNECTION
BAUHAUS BUILDINGS b The Bauhaus had
a significant effect on design in North America.
Gropius moved to the United States in 1937 and
became the head of Harvard University’s Graduate
School of Design. In the same year, the New Bauhaus
was founded in Chicago (the Dessau school had
been closed down by the National Socialists in
1933), with László Moholy-Nagy from Dessau as
its director. It continues today as the Institute of
Design, part of the Illinois Institute of Technology.
In New York City, classic Bauhaus-inspired architecture includes the Seagram Building (Ludwig Mies
van der Rohe, 1958) and the Whitney Museum of
American Art (Marcel Breuer, 1966).
BAUHAUS STAIRCASE
THE BAUHAUS
UNESCO World
Heritage
In 1996, the Bauhaus sites in Dessau und
Weimar were awarded UNESCO World
Heritage status. This recognized the unique
role of these buildings in the history of art,
architecture, and design in the 20th century.
Opened in 1926, the most famous is the
Bauhaus Building, the glass and concrete
school designed by Walter Gropius.
THE MASTERS’ HOUSES
Built in a peaceful pine wood, the Masters’
Houses included three semi-detached houses
(for the Bauhaus professors) and one detached
The Bauhaus
The Masters’ Houses
house for the school’s director. Gropius’ vision
was that: “Today‘s luxuries are tomorrow‘s
norm.” He used industrially prefabricated,
“building block” construction elements. On
the façades facing away from the street were
balconies and terraces. Inside, the hot water
system was efficient; there were walk-in
closets; and modern furniture included sofas
that could be opened up to make a double
bed. The tall, wide walls of glass must have
shocked people at the time. Almost a century
on, these houses still look fresh and
contemporary.
mer (painter, sculptor, choreographer), plus
painters Lyonel Feininger, Wassily Kandinsky,
and Paul Klee. Several of the original buildings
have been reconstructed and are open to the
public today.
THE MASTERS
In 1925, the talent on the faculty was impressive:
Walter Gropius, László Moholy-Nagy (painter,
graphic artist, photographer), Oskar Schlem-
THE TÖRTEN ESTATE
Designed by Walter Gropius and built
between 1926 and 1928, this innovative
development is an early example of
municipal housing. Gropius wanted
to encourage self-sufficiency, so
this estate of pre-fabricated,
terraced houses has kitchen gardens,
where residents could grow their
own vegetables and raise chickens.
KORNHAUS RESTAURANT
Built in 1929-30, this restaurant and pub
sits on the banks of the Elbe River. Originally
designed to have a balcony overlooking the
river, the semicircular front was glassed in.
Despite renovations over the years, many
original features survive and the Kornhaus is
a popular spot for locals to meet.
Kornhaus
Restaurant
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LAND
OF INVENTION
Saxony-Anhalt is the land of invention.
And, deep in the cultural treasure chest is
the oldest-known graphic representation of
the cosmos: The Nebra Sky Disc. Amazingly,
3,600 years ago, the people of SaxonyAnhalt could tell when the sun and the moon
would rise, thanks to their ingenious astronomical clock.
They were not the only ones to look at the
world around them and wonder: “How?” and
“Why?” Back in 1654, Otto von Guericke (16021686) heralded the age of experimental physics with his research into vacuums.
Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) is regarded
as the Father of Homeopathy. His house in
Köthen is now a museum; and the town also
is home to the European Homeopathic Library.
Some 100 years ago, plant breeder Theodorus
van Waveren laid the foundations of the seed
industry. In the early 20th century, innovations
included the first all-metal airplane, which
was built in Dessau and the world’s first
Technicolor film, produced by Agfa.
SOLAR VALLEY
NEBRA SKY DISK
Unearthed in 1999, the Nebra Sky Disc dates from the Bronze Age. Either
an astronomical instrument, a religious icon, or both, what makes this
disc extra special is that it is portable – unlike more famous stone circles,
such as Stonehenge. And experts reckon that the Nebra Sky Disc actually
harmonizes the solar and lunar calendars.
Saxony-Anhalt is at the
leading edge of technology. Nowhere else
in the world features
more companies that
are involved in the
photovoltaic industry.
Attracting inward investment of almost ten
billion Euros in the past
20 years, the Solar Valley
is one of the success
stories of the renewable energy industry.
Saxony-Anhalt is still a major international
player in the chemical and plastics industry,
and in mechanical engineering. Every Germanmade car has at least one component manufactured in the state. Drive shafts for racing
cars and helmets for their drivers are also
made here; and, more than 90 percent of all
Aspirin tablets made for the European market
come from Saxony-Anhalt. As for the world’s
tallest building, that is Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
But, it is only habitable thanks to water pumps
that are made in – you guessed it – SaxonyAnhalt!
OTTO VON GUERICKE
(1602-1686)
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HENRY MELCHIOR
Muhlenberg
(1711-1787)
THE AMERICAN
CONNECTION –
Saxony-Anhalters
in the U.S.A.
Among the many men and women from
Saxony-Anhalt, who had a profound effect on
US history were Henry Melchior Muhlenberg,
Baron von Steuben, and August Hermann
Francke.
GERMAN-AMERICAN LINKS
The annual German-American Steuben Parades in
New York, Chicago and in Philadelphia (September)
celebrate more than the achievements of Baron
von Steuben. They commemorate the role played
by Germans in the whole history of the United
States of America.
HENRY MELCHIOR Muhlenberg
(1711-1787)
When early German colonists in Pennsylvania
needed a pastor, Muhlenberg answered
their call. In 1742, the 31-year-old set out for
Philadelphia. Over the next five decades, he
saw Colonial America grow, go to war and
gain independence. As well as serving his own
congregation, he traveled up and down the
Eastern seaboard, acting as advisor to other
churches. In 1748, he formed the first Lutheran
synod in the Colonies. The liturgies that he
developed are still used today in Lutheran
services across the country. Because of his
vision and ability to pull together German,
Swedish and other Lutheran congregations,
he is acknowledged as the founder of the
Lutheran Church in the United States.
THE Muhlenberg DYNASTY
“Clergymen, soldiers, scholars,
statesmen, the Muhlenbergs have
represented the best in our national life since the earliest days of
the Republic.”
That was how President Franklin D.
Roosevelt summed up the achievements
of this family from Saxony-Anhalt, back
in 1942.
Muhlenberg and his wife had 11 children, including three sons, who returned to Halle (Saale)
to study at university. They became ministers
– and more. Peter served as a Major General
in the Continental Army and was elected to
the United States Senate. In 1789, Frederick
became the first Speaker of the House and his
signature is the first on the Bill of Rights. Henry
became the first president of what is today
Franklin & Marshall College in Pennsylvania.
A notable botanist, he is called the “American
Linnaeus” for his 1813 catalog of North American
plants.
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THE AMERICAN
CONNECTION
WHAT’S IN A NAME? b German connec-
tions are everywhere. Saxony-Anhalt towns with
namesakes range from Wittenberg, Wisconsin
to Freyburg and Dessau in Texas; Wittenberg
University is in Ohio. And, there are twinned
communities: Magdeburg is partnered with
Nashville, Tennessee; Halle (Saale) with Savannah,
Georgia; Wittenberg with Springfield, Ohio;
Schönebeck with Farmers Branch, Texas; and
Bernburg (Saale) with Anderson, Indiana. And
the term Pennsylvania Dutch recalls the German
(Deutsch) settlers.
FRIEDRICH
VON STEUBEN
(1730-1794)
From a military perspective, no native of
Saxony-Anhalt has done more for the United
States than Baron von Steuben. According to
military historian General John M. Palmer:
“... the military services of two
men, and two men only, can be
regarded as indispensable to
the achievement of American
independence. These two men
were Washington and Steuben.”
Biography of General von Steuben (1937)
MUHLENBERG MEMORIAL
The Muhlenberg family name
lives on at Muhlenberg College,
Allentown, Pennsylvania as well as
Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.
During the American Revolution, military
experience and know-how were vital to the
Continental Army. Born in Magdeburg, Baron
von Steuben had both. He also was skilled in
administration, training, and organization.
From a military family, he started out as an
infantry officer in the Prussian army. His ability
was soon noticed, and he was promoted to
serve on the headquarters staff of Frederick
the Great. In 1777, Benjamin Franklin, then
representing the Continental Congress in Paris,
gave von Steuben a letter of introduction to
General Washington.
The Baron joined the Continental Army at
Valley Forge. Although he spoke no English,
he managed to communicate with American
officers in French. Aiming to create a disciplined fighting force, he brought uniformity
and order to drills and maneuvers. With 120
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THE AMERICAN
CONNECTION
GERMAN-AMERICAN DAYS b Across the
carefully-chosen men, von Steuben created a
“model company,” who then passed on their
expertise to each brigade. The Prussian system
was quickly learned.
Elevated to the rank of Inspector General,
von Steuben drew up the Blue Book, officially
entitled Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States. But,
his ideas were not limited only to marching
and fighting. For example, his rules governed
the setting up of camps. In the interests of
proper sanitation, kitchens and latrines were
apart from each other, on opposite sides of the
camp.
In 1781, the British were defeated at Yorktown.
For the battle, von Steuben commanded one
of Washington’s three divisions of troops.
After the war, this Revolution­ary hero became
a citizen of the new nation and settled in New
York.
Across the United States, towns and counties
are named for von Steuben. There are even
annual parades in his honor! As part of
German-American Friendship Week, the
Steuben Parade draws huge crowds in cities,
such as New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago.
United States, from Pennsylvania to California and
from the Midwest down to Texas, some 50 million
Americans trace their roots back to Germany.
Among the early immigrants were Saxony-Anhalters,
drawn by the promise of religious and political
freedom, as well as the opportunity to build
businesses and to own land. Today’s GermanAmerican parades celebrate that heritage.
KURT WEILL
(1900-1950)
Another “revolutionary” from Saxony-Anhalt is
Kurt Weill, whose Threepenny Opera, written in
co-operation with Bertolt Brecht in 1928, was a
landmark in musical theater. Weill and his wife,
Lotte Lenya, emigrated to the United States in
1935, and became American citizens. He continued
his lifelong work for social justice, while creating
major hits for Broadway with the best lyricists
and playwrights of the day,
from Ira Gershwin and
Maxwell Anderson to
S.J. Perelman and
Ogden Nash. In
his hometown
of Dessau, one
of the Bauhaus
Masters’ Houses
is now the Kurt
Weill Center,
with a permanent exhibition
and library devoted to the famous
composer.
AUGUST HERMANN
FRANCKE
(1663–1727)
One of the most enlightened men of
his age was August Hermann Francke, a
Lutheran Pietist in Halle (Saale). He believed
in education and developed new teaching
practices that were spread by his pupils
around the world. Today, his ideals are
continued at the Francke Foundation.
In 1698, Francke founded two schools; one for
the poor, the other for orphans. In time, courses
ranged from physics and chemistry to Latin,
modern languages, botany, and anatomy. His
approach to teaching was surprisingly modern.
In addition to theory, students learned from
real life, looking at objects, such as stuffed
animals and models.
August Francke‘s legacy
is the Francke Foundation,
in Halle (Saale), with its
impressive antiquarian
library.
They also learned practical skills in the garden
and the workshop. His pupils thrived and went
on to become Lutheran pastors, doctors,
lawyers, and government officials.
Francke had many links with the American
Colonies. William Penn asked him to organize
German emigration to Pennsylvania; Cotton
Mather in Boston corresponded about the new
form of education. And, it was Francke’s son,
who asked Muhlenberg to go to Pennsylvania
on behalf of the Francke Foundation.
All Lutheran pastors, who were sponsored
to go to the American colonies, were required
to report back on what they saw. Questions
on itemized lists covered all aspects of daily
life. Today, these unique insights are in the
impressive library of the Francke Foundation
(Franckesche Stiftungen) in Halle (Saale).
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JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
(1685-1750)
A CULTURAL
POWERHOUSE
From art
to music
Saxony-Anhalt’s treasure chest includes
masterpieces of music and painting.
Among their creators are three cultural
giants: the artist Lucas Cranach and
composers Johann Sebastian Bach
and George Frederick Handel.
The name “Bach” dominated the
music scene in the SaxonyAnhalt region from 1600 to
1800. J. S. Bach may be the
most famous, but 64 members of his family were professional musicians during
that era.
THE HALL OF MIRRORS
The music of Johann Sebastian Bach is loved
around the world. Legend has it that his Brandenburg
Concertos were first performed in the Hall of Mirrors
in Köthen Castle, where the composer was Kapellmeister (Director of Music) to the Prince of AnhaltKöthen from 1717 to 1723. This elegant salon is still a
magical place to attend a concert.
Like his relatives, J. S. Bach
was a talented organist and
piano player. However, he is most
remembered as a composer,
creating more than 1,000 works,
of which more than 220 survive
today.
Among the best-known are the Brandenburg
Concertos, created in Köthen, where Bach
was Director of Music for the Prince of
Anhalt-Köthen.
Today, the Bach House, one of two in
which Bach lived while in Köthen, still
stands. And, the city celebrates him
with the annual International
Bach Festival (early September,
every other year). Among his
most familiar works is Cantata
No. 80, Ein’ feste Burg ist unser
Gott (A mighty fortress is
our God), inspired by the
words of Martin Luther. The
Great Reformer’s belief that
music was an important part
of worship has continued through
the centuries. With Bach, a
committed Lutheran, it found
some of its finest expression.
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THE AMERICAN
CONNECTION
THE HALBERSTADT ORGAN PROJECT
b What is ORGAN2/ASLSP (As SLow aS Possible)?
Created by John Cage, the late American composer,
this work is the slowest and longest “concert”
that the world has ever heard. It is due to last
639 years! It began in 2000 at the Church of St.
Burchardi in Halberstadt. The first organ to have
a “modern” keyboard was made in this city back in
1361 – exactly 639 years before the performance of
Cage’s work began!
GEORGE FREDERICK
HANDEL
(1685-1759)
LUCAS CRANACH
THE ELDER
An international celebrity in his own lifetime,
Handel created some of the world’s most
popular pieces of classical music. He lived and
worked in major cities across Europe, from
Germany and Italy to England.
to 1922, when new productions of his operas
were the backbone of the festival program
– as they still are. Of the 42 operas, almost
all have been performed during the festival.
Venues include the cathedral, the Marktkirche,
the Handel House, and the Goethe-Theater, in
nearby Bad Lauchstädt.
But, Handel was born in Halle (Saale). As a boy,
his talent was recognized and he was taught
by Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, the organist at
Halle’s Marktkirche church. Sadly, none of his
countless early compositions in Halle (Saale)
survive. However, his music does. Halle’s tradition of “Händel-Festspiele” (Handel Festivals)
or “Händel-Tage” (Handel Days) goes back
Also in Halle (Saale) is the well-restored Handel
House. Designed to be a cultural center as well
as a memorial to the composer, this museum
is devoted to music. The regular Saturday
evening concerts have been a fixture for 60
years. Some of the programs are purely Handel;
others are themed; many feature works by
Handel‘s contemporaries.
(1472-1553)
Both a painter and printmaker, Lucas Cranach
was one of the foremost German artists of his
time. And, it is thanks to him that we know
what Martin Luther looked like.
“Reformation Painter.” He conveyed Lutheran
ideas through art, emphasizing man’s individuality and the importance of faith as the way
to salvation. He positioned ordinary people in
everyday settings, often close to Christ. Saints
and noblemen were moved to the background
Cranach lived and worked in Wittenberg, and
was a friend of Luther. Not only did he paint
portraits of the Great Reformer and his wife,
Katharina von Bora, he was a witness at their
wedding and godfather to their first son,
Johannes Luther.
In Wittenberg, Cranach had numerous
businesses. As well as his studio and print
workshop, he had an art school and a
pharmacy – and he even served as Mayor.
Today, the Cranach House and courtyard tell
the story.
An enthusiastic supporter of the Protestant
Reformation, Cranach was dubbed the
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After the Protestant Reformation, congregations were encouraged to sing hymns, but
songs were not limited to church services.
Communal singing became popular; villages
and workplaces had their own choirs. No
wonder this small region has produced and
inspired so many great musicians.
HEINRICH SCHÜTZ
(1585-1672)
The outstanding German composer of the
early-Baroque period was Heinrich Schütz.
Born a century before J. S. Bach, he wrote the
first German opera and was nicknamed the
“Father of German Music.”
Today, that tradition is alive and well in SaxonyAnhalt. From Handel’s Messiah to musicals,
jazz and rock, there is music everywhere and
standards are impressively high.
The best place to learn about the man is at
the Heinrich-Schütz-House in Weissenfels, the
town where he grew up and where he returned
to live in his old age. The exhibition covers his
family, social, and cultural roots, as well as
the late works he created here. Appropriately,
Weissenfels hosts an annual festival of his
compositions, held on or near his birthday:
October 8.
GEORG PHILIPP TELEMANN
(1681-1767)
Who was the most prolific composer of
all time? According to the Guinness Book
of World Records, the title goes to Georg
Telemann, with over 800 works to his credit.
One of his most famous is the Viola Concerto
in G Major. The first to be created specifically
for that instrument, it was composed between
1716 and 1721 – and is still performed today.
MUSIC
IS IN THE BLOOD
In Saxony-Anhalt, music is part of
everyday life. And there is a reason for
that. One of Luther’s passions was
worship through music:
“The riches of music are so
excellent and so precious that
words fail me whenever I attempt
to discuss and describe them ...
next to the Word of God, the
noble art of music is the greatest
treasure in the world.”
Born in Magdeburg, Telemann was the son of
a pastor at the Heilig-Geist Church. His genius
manifested itself early on and he wrote an
opera at the age of twelve. His mother worried
that he would turn into a “juggler, rope dancer,
minstrel, marmot trainer, etc.” Although she
tried to make him follow a more respectable
profession, Telemann followed his muse.
In fact, he became known for his works for
Protestant church services. Any and every
occasion inspired him: Sundays and feast days,
the installation of a priest, and the consecration of a new church. The Magdeburg Telemann
Festival has been held biennially in the city
since 1990, usually around the composer’s
birthday: March 14.
The Kinderchor
(Childrens Choir) in
Halle (Saale), is one
of the best known
in Germany
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SAXONYANHALT’s
half-timbered
architecture
Building with wood is a centuries-old
tradition in Saxony-Anhalt. Across the state,
this special type of architecture is yet another
gem in the state’s cultural treasure chest. To
help visitors enjoy these beautiful buildings,
there is a special route, the German TimberFrame Road (Deutsche Fachwerkstrasse)
that links cities and towns, which have an
abundance of this picturesque style. Add
a dusting of snow for the annual Christmas
markets, and it all looks like a Christmas card
come to life.
The German word Fachwerk means framework. One of the world’s oldest systems of
construction, it is – quite simply – a skeleton
formed by large timbers. This is the main loadbearing structure. To create the walls, the gaps
are filled in with plaster, wooden planks, a mix
of mud and straw, or bricks.
QUEDLINBURG
With more than 1,300 half-timbered houses,
Quedlinburg is one of Europe’s most romantic
cities. Strolling along the cobbled streets is like
walking through the history of half-timbered (postand-beam) construction. Quedlinburg’s Old Town
has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.
It is considered to be an exceptional example of a
medieval town, but is not a museum – people live,
work and play in this beautiful setting.
But, this architecture is not limited to country
cottages. In towns and cities, timber-framed
buildings can be five and six storys high. Upper
floors may be larger than the ground floor,
with each level extending beyond the one
below. At the top, steep roofs and gables allow
snow and rain to run off easily. Half-timbering
was tried and tested long ago; many of these
buildings have stood firm for 500 years or
more. Ironically, this simple construction
technique originally housed the less well-off.
Today, the more affluent vie to live in these
attractive and historic buildings.
THE AMERICAN
CONNECTION
POST AND BEAM b German immigrants
took their wood-working skills with them to
America, where wood was profuse. They raised
barns, houses, churches and meeting halls in
the New World, using this “post and beam”
construction. The tradition continues, especially
in Pennsylvania, where the Amish community
still uses this method for barns and houses.
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QUEDLINBURG
Nowhere else in Germany has more half-timbered
buildings than Quedlinburg. Some are black-andwhite, others have color, perhaps ochre, blue or
yellow. This is the perfect place to explore, strolling
down ancient lanes to discover delightful squares.
And, the place to learn more about this architecture is
the Fachwerkmuseum im Ständerbau. Appropriately,
it is in Germany’s second-oldest half-timbered house!
Taken all together, it is no wonder that the town has
been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. More
recently, it was highlighted in 1,000 Places to See
Before You Die, the best-selling travel guide.
WERNIGERODE
In the Altstadt (Old Town), the market
square is overlooked by half-timbered
buildings, including the amazingly
ornate Town Hall, which dates back
to around 1500. There are side streets
for shopping, such as the pedestrian
– only Breite Strasse and Kochstrasse,
with the smallest house in town – its
ground floor is just one room!
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SOMEWHERE SPECIAL: OSTERWIECK
A popular stop on the German Timber-Frame Road (Deutsche
Fachwerkstrasse), Osterwieck has 400 half-timbered houses lining
cobbled lanes. Built after a fire destroyed the town in 1511, the Altstadt
(Old Town) has an attractive homogeneous look, as all the houses
are the same age and style. After the Reformation, many inhabitants
proclaimed their Protestant faith by carving or painting Biblical quotes
onto the beams of their homes. These are still clearly visible today.
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THE AMERICAN
CONNECTION
WINE
AND FOOD
In Saxony-Anhalt, food and drink are very
much intertwined with culture.
Open up the treasure chest and, like a big
hamper, all the ingredients are there for a
delicious meal, along with a glass of wine or
a refreshing beer. Long known for its rich soil,
Saxony-Anhalt has a tradition of farming that
produces everything from mouth-watering
fresh asparagus in May to fine beef from Harz
highland cattle, plus goose and game in the
fall. Dishes special to the region range from
pork with plums to chicken stuffed with beets
and from roasted Bratwurst (sausages) to
Dessauer Speckkuchen, a bacon quiche from
Dessau. Around the Saale-Unstrut vineyards,
wine festivals celebrate the grape harvest in
August and September.
SAALE-UNSTRUT VINEYARDS
Among Europe’s most northerly vineyards, the
Saale-Unstrut wine region has been cultivated
since 998AD. Growing on hillsides overlooking the
Saale and Unstrut Rivers, 75 percent of the grape
varieties are white, mostly Müller-Thurgau and
Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc). These wines tend to
be light, dry and refreshing.
BAUMKUCHEN
A favorite in Saxony-Anhalt
in general and in Salzwedel
in particular, Baumkuchen is
cooked over an open wood
fire. Literally a “tree cake,” it
is made the old-fashioned
way by pouring layer upon
layer of batter onto a vertical
spit fire – creating a delicious
“tree-shaped” treat.
SOMETHING SPECIAL b Many favorite
German foods are also American favorites. In
Saxony-Anhalt, for example, Kaffee und Kuchen –
or “coffee and cake” – has been part of everyday
life since coffee was introduced 400 years ago.
Every family has its own version of specialities,
and the recipes are handed down through the
generations. One such specialty is Streuselkuchen,
familiar across the USA as – crumb cake!
HARZ CHEESE
Made from traditional recipes, Harz
cheese is naturally low-fat but high
in protein, making it as healthy
as it is delicious. Golden
yellow and pungent, this
cheese can be plain, or
flavored with caraway.
Many farmers still
make it by hand;
this artisan version is
labeled Bauernhandkäse
or Handkäse.
HALLOREN
CHOCOLATES
From Halle (Saale), Halloren is the oldest chocolate
maker in Germany. Now
well over 200 years old, it
is best known for its Halloren Kugel, a chocolate ball
that comes in a variety of
flavors: strawberry, cherry,
blackcurrant, and more…
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CHEERS!
Saxony-Anhalters enjoy sharing
the good things in life with friends
and visitors. Hasseröder, one of
Germany‘s best-selling beers, has
been brewed in Wernigerode since
1872. But wines are also produced
in the Saale-Unstrut region. With
its red foil top, the most famous is
the Champagne-style Rotkäppchen
(it means Little Red Riding Hood),
founded in Freyburg in 1856. Today,
this is one of Germany‘s biggest
selling sparkling wines, or „Sekts“.
And, at the end of a meal, locals
will often offer guests Schierker
Feuerstein, a herbal liqueur from
Schierke.
Handmade Design
In Halle (Saale), one of the best places to appreciate the results of this artistic output is Kleine
Ulrich­strasse, a street lined with small galleries,
plus arts and crafts shops. Find one-of-a-kind
graphic arts and pottery, fashion and jewelry, even
handmade children’s toys made of wood and tin.
It all typifies the city’s youthful buzz.
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CONTEMPORARY
CREATIVITY
Saxony-Anhalt may have a thousand years
of history, but this small state does not rest
on its laurels. The top layer of the treasure
chest sparkles with contemp-orary creativity.
Since re-unification two decades ago, SaxonyAnhalt’s productivity has outperformed all the
other regions of the former East Germany.
Steffen Kroll. Their focus is product design and
development, and also interior and strategic
design. Then, there is Aromicon, a virtual wine
tasting search engine created by designer
Daniel Ackermann and engineer Alf Jahn. They
turn flavors and tastes into images, some with
3D animation. So, clients can “taste” wines for
free on the internet, before buying!
According to Axel Müller-Schöll, Rector of the
Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design
in Halle (Saale), there is a reason for that: “The
region is centrally located, with an excellent
infrastructure of air, road, and rail. But, it is
the people that make the difference. There is
a creativity about the Saxony-Anhalter.”
About 10 percent of the university’s students
come from abroad; 40 percent are from
former West Germany; and 50 percent from
the former East Germany. “As well as teaching
we also encourage entrepreneurship.
Our Designhaus Halle encourages start-up
businesses. We help talented graduates to stay
here and develop their ideas and products. The
attraction is that overheads are lower, but the
workforce is educated and talented. SaxonyAnhalt benefits.”
The second largest university of its kind in
Germany, Burg Giebichenstein University was
founded a century ago, at about the same
time as the Bauhaus. The school has always
moved with the times, and since 1958, has
featured departments devoted to industrial
design, interior design, and environmental
design – alongside the fine and applied arts.
Tokio Hotel
“Twenty or thirty years ago, design was all
about making good products look beautiful.
Today, it does more; it provides a way to
communicate between people and brands.
Designers lead from the front.” Alumni,
who have gone on to create companies with
a national profile include Formgold. They
specialize in interior lighting, which is ever
more important in large buildings, such as
offices and schools. Another is Vertijet, a
design studio formed by Kirsten Hoppert and
It is not just classical music that courses through
the veins of every Saxony-Anhalter. In 2001, identical twins Bill Kaulitz (vocals) and Tom Kaulitz
(guitar) met Gustav Schäfer (drummer) and Georg
Listing (bass guitarist) in a club in Magdeburg.
The rock band Tokio Hotel was formed – and went
on to wow fans around the world. In September
2008, they were named “Best New Artist” at the
American MTV Video Music Awards. In 2012, they
won MTV‘s Musical March Madness championship
game.
An example of
Saxony-Anhalt
creativity;
a prototype chair from
Halle (Saale)
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THE GREEN
STATE
If Saxony-Anhalt were a color, that color
would be green, thanks to its long horticultural traditions. This is a state that is full
of enthusiastic “green thumbs”! Indeed,
there are 43 historic gardens and parks in the
state-wide Garden Dreams network. Seven of
these parks and palace gardens make up the
Garden Kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage
site. There is also the Harz National Park, a
wild mountain reserve shared with neighboring state of Niedersachsen.
EUROPA-ROSARIUM
IN SANGERHAUSEN
Founded in 1903, the Europa-Rosarium in
Sangerhausen houses the largest collection of
roses in Europe, if not the world. In summer,
the 32-acre (13-hectare) Rose Park is a showcase for more than 75,000 shrubs and 8,300
cultivars. The roses are divided into 40 different categories. The wild rose collection, for
example, features some 500 varieties.
Reflecting this respect for the environment is
Saxony-Anhalt’s focus on green technology
and renewable energy. In 2011, the world’s
most powerful wind energy facility began
operation in Magdeburg. The tower stands
443 feet (135 meters) high, while the diameter
of the blades is 417 feet (127 meters). What
is more, Saxony-Anhalt boasts the world‘s
fastest-growing cluster of solar cell companies.
This conversion to green energy has had
a dramatic and positive effect on the
environment. Between 1990 and 2004,
energy-induced carbon dioxide emissions
were more than halved in Saxony-Anhalt.
THE GARDEN KINGDOM
OF DESSAU-WÖRLITZ
In 2000, the Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz
was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This is not just one garden or one palace; think
of it as half-a-dozen country estates, each with
its own elegant rural retreat. Together, they
cover some 55 square miles (14,250 hectares).
This is more than twice the size of Manhattan,
so it really is a kingdom!
One of the highlights is Schloss Wörlitz, a
late-18th century gem. It was created by Prince
Leopold III (aka Prince Franz) of Anhalt-Dessau.
During a visit to England, he was so impressed
by the country houses, with their natural-looking parks, that he created his own version in
Germany. He transformed his estate, building
a delightful palace and revamping the Baroque
garden into a less formal style.
Today, they provide a glimpse into the world
of two centuries ago, complete with furniture,
sculptures, paintings, and Wedgwood porcelain.
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DESSAU-WÖRLITZ GARDEN KINGDOM
Between the Elbe and Mulde Rivers, the Dessau-Wörlitz Garden Kingdom
is a spectacular combination of historical gardens, buildings, follies, and
sculptures. Most unusual is an imitation Vesuvius set on a small island:
An artificial but still functioning volcano! One of the most pleasant ways
to explore is by boat or gondola. Many of the waterways are crossed by
little bridges, which add to the charm. Since 2000, the Garden Kingdom
of Dessau-Wörlitz has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of four in
Saxony-Anhalt.
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Palace and Garden
of Mosigkau
Garden Kingdom of DessauWörlItz
HARZ NATIONAL PARK
Saxony-Anhalt shares the Harz National Park
with neighboring Niedersachsen. In all, the
park encloses 35 square miles (8,900 hectares),
and is virtually uninhabited by man. However,
the forests of beech and spruce are home
to red deer, roe deer, wild boar,
and the European lynx,
classified as endangered and recently
reintroduced.
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ANNUAL
FESTIVALS AND
EVENTS
Kurt Weill Festival,
Dessau
Late Februar y/early March
Each year brings a different theme, and a new
line-up of top artists, to the festival honoring
local hero Kurt Weill.
Handel Festival,
Halle (Saale)
Late May/early June
Most of the concerts take place in venues with
a Handel connection, such as the cathedral,
the Marktkirche, and the Handel House.
Luther’s Wedding festival,
Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Early June
Locals dress in medieval costume to celebrate
the wedding vows of Martin Luther and
Katharina von Bora. Lasting for three days, it
is one of the most spectacular festivals in
Germany.
MDR Summer Music Festival,
various cities
June – September
A regional festival spread over three neighboring states, this special concert series covers
genres ranging from classical to world music.
Some performances are on authentic period
instruments.
International Reformation
Music Festival,
Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Early July
This festival commemorates the important
role played by music in the time of the Reformation. Performers include well-known artists
from around the world and from
different religious backgrounds.
Wittenberg Renaissance Music Festival,
Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Late Oc tober
A curtain raiser to the annual Reformation
celebrations, this festival focuses on Renaissance music and period instruments.
CHRISTMAS/ADVENT MARKETS Late November to Christmas
During Advent, cities and towns across SaxonyAnhalt dress in festive finery. Against a backdrop of half-timbered houses, the Yuletide
spirit reigns in Christmas markets, where stalls
sell traditional crafts and decorations.
2019 The Bauhaus
The most famous art and design movement of
modern times celebrates its centenary.
“Händels open” in
Halle (Saale)
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THE LUTHER
DECADE
In the ten years leading up to 2017, the 500th
anniversary of the start of the Protestant
Reformation, each year has a special theme.
2012 REFORMATION AND MUSIC
Both in church and in the home, the Reformation
introduced new attitudes to music in Europe,
influencing composers such as Bach, Handel and
Liszt.
2013 REFORMATION AND TOLERANCE
Emphasising the importance of an ecumenical
community without national or confessional
borders, this year addresses the intolerant facets
of the Reformation.
2014 REFORMATION AND POLITICS
A time to examine issues of the Reformation that
remain with us today: authority and personal
responsibility, faith and power, freedom of
conscience and human rights.
2015 REFORMATION: VISUAL ARTS
AND THE BIBLE
On the 500th anniversary of the birth of Lucas
Cranach the Younger, experts consider Luther’s
influence on art in the Reformation period.
2016 REFORMATION AND THE ONE WORLD
The Reformation spread from Wittenberg to
the rest of the world, especially to the U.S.A.
This year focuses on the global influence of
Protestantism.
2017 ANNIVERSARY OF THE REFORMATION
In its 500th anniversary year, the Reformation
is celebrated worldwide, with ecclesiastical
and cultural events, major conferences and
important exhibitions.
UTA OF NAUMBURG
Germany’s answer to the Mona Lisa is Uta of
Naumburg. Her statue in Naumburg Cathedral is
one of 12 that were carved in the 13th century by an
anonymous stonemason, dubbed the Naumburg
Master. Legend has it that Uta was the insp­iration
for the evil queen in Walt Disney’s 1937 film, Snow
White and the Seven Dwarfs.
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Europe
traditional
Christmas
market
Saxony-Anhalt
300 Miles
600 Miles
Saxony-Anhalt
Germany
1.200 Miles
Stendal
Berlin
hanover
Magdeburg
Halberstadt
Dessau-Rosslau
Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Wernigerode
Quedlinburg
Köthen
Lutherstadt Eisleben
Halle (Saale)
leipzig
Naumburg
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Nothing conjures up the
spirit of the Festive Season
more than Saxony-Anhalt’s
traditional Christmas
markets. In many towns,
you are walking in the
footsteps of Martin
Luther: choirs sing carols
that Luther wrote; cooking
on the grill are sausages
that Luther loved; Baumkuchen (cake) is made over
an open flame.
Half-timbered house
in Quedlinburg