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

Wittenberg celebrates 500 years of Luther 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 parade made the historical event a happy sign. The marriage, which took place on June 13, 1525 in the presence of fewer witnesses, caused a sensation at the time. A former monk who marries a nun - that was not only a romantic adventure, but a huge statement at a time when such a connection was extremely controversial. Many of Luther's friends and opponents were skeptical about this connection. Wittenberg's superintendent Gabriele Metzner said in an MDR television service that the wedding was more than just a love story: she was a symbol of the visibility of women in society at the time. mdr reports .

Like every good wedding gag, there was also a lot about the marriage of Luther and Bora. Katharina had already rejected two marriage proposals before her marriage and was aware of the importance of this connection. Marriage should not only shape the life 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 seen in Wittenberg until August 10, shows unique elements such as the Marter tools of Christ and was originally intended for Luther. domradio fills the gaps .

a city festival for eternity

For the big weekend in Wittenberg, more than 60,000 visitors were expected. The city had taken security measures, including with increased concrete barriers and entrance locks in the historic old town. Overall, there was a ban on driving in the city center. While the security concept was adapted in the background, the city celebrated with a city festival and a 500 meter long wedding table. A real attitude to life in the air!

While Luther was a central figure of the Reformation, the historiography often overlooked that Katharina von Bora plays a crucial role. She not only managed the household, but also achieved influence on the family and finances. Although her role in marriage was clearly defined, she campaigned for her voice and visibility. One could almost say that without Katharina there would have been no significant table speeches because she made the table available. National Geographic highlights this perspective .

Katharina - a strong woman

after Luther's death in 1546, Katharina was even used as his sole heir, a step that was later considered illegal by unbelievers judges. The marriage of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora remains a fascinating piece of history that not only shows the love between two people, but also the place of women in a revolutionary period. Luther lovingly called Katharina "Mr. Käthe" and left her free hand in the household - a shady contrast between his ideals and the lived reality. But this contrast makes the story all the more human and understandable.