Wittenberg celebrates 500 years of Luther's wedding with a large children's festival parade!

Wittenberg celebrates 500 years of Luther's wedding with a large children's festival parade!

On Sunday, June 16, 2025, the city of Wittenberg celebrated the 500th anniversary of the wedding of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora. A colorful children's festival parade put a happy stamp on the historic event. The marriage, which took place on June 13, 1525 in the presence of a few witnesses, caused a great stir at the time. A former monk marrying a nun - it was not just a romantic adventure, but a huge statement at a time when such a union was extremely controversial. Many of Luther's friends and opponents expressed skepticism about this connection. Wittenberg's superintendent Gabriele Metzner explained in an MDR television service that the wedding was more than just a love story: it was a symbol of the visibility of women in society at the time. MDR reports.

Like any good wedding gag, there was a lot surrounding Luther and Bora's marriage. Katharina had already rejected two marriage proposals before her marriage and was aware of the importance of this connection. The marriage not only shaped the lives of the two, but was also stylized four centuries later as a model for the Protestant rectory. A highlight of the anniversary is the exhibition of Katharina's wedding ring, which was borrowed from the Leipzig City Museum. The ring, which will be on display in Wittenberg until August 10, shows unique elements such as Christ's instruments of torture and was originally intended for Luther. DOMRADIO fills the gaps.

A city festival for eternity

More than 60,000 visitors were expected for the big weekend in Wittenberg. The city had taken security precautions, including raised concrete barriers and entry gates in the historic old town. Overall, there was a driving ban in the city center. While the security concept was being adjusted in the background, the city celebrated with a city festival and a 500-meter-long wedding table. A real feeling of life in the air!

While Luther was a central figure in the Reformation, it is often overlooked in historiography that Katharina von Bora played a crucial role. She not only managed the household, but also gained influence over the family and finances. Although her role in the marriage was clearly defined, she advocated for her voice and visibility. One could almost say that without Katharina there would have been no important dinner speeches, because she provided the table herself. National Geographic highlights this perspective.

Katharina – a strong woman

After Luther's death in 1546, Catherine was even named his sole heir, a move that disbelieving judges later deemed illegal. The marriage of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora remains a fascinating piece of history that shows not only the love between two people, but also the place of women in a revolutionary time. Luther affectionately called Katharina “Mr. Käthe” ​​and gave her free rein in the household – a dubious contrast between his ideals and the reality he lived. But it is precisely this contrast that makes the story all the more human and comprehensible.