700 years Stephaneum: Insight into Ascherslebens School History!

700 years Stephaneum: Insight into Ascherslebens School History!

The Stephaneum in Aschersleben is celebrating a special reason to be happy this year: the school looks back on 700 years of uninterrupted lessons, since its first documentary mention as a Latin school in 1325. This long existence makes the Stephaneum one of the oldest educational institutions in Saxony-Anhalt. As reports MDR, an exhibition under the title "700 Years Stephaneum" impressively shows the school history and the life paths of many former.

The first written mention of the school refers to a peace conclusion between the city of Aschersleben and the “Our Women” monastery regarding the school administration. This certificate not only contains regulations for the appointment of a schoolmaster, but also a thrust clause for the teacher. Such details can be found in the rich archives of the Stephaneum, which keep numerous student files, class books and high school diploma from the 19th century.

a special anniversary in the context of history

The anniversary falls at the same time as the 500th year of commemoration of the Peasant War. This connection is recognized by a special exhibition, which was opened on June 24 and lasts until October 26, 2025. Here the long school tradition of the Stephaneum is brought together with the 125th anniversary of the Association of Former Students, the "Stephanerer e.V.". Historical links to Thomas Müntzer, a dazzling figure of the Peasant War, are also discussed. While it was assumed for a long time that Müntzer was a teacher at the Stephaneum, a research project by the Museum Aschersleben shows that this opinion is not durable. Rather, other connections from Müntzer to Aschersleben are considered, as press portal reported.

The exhibition also offers an accompanying program with family tours, a Sütterlin workshop and excursions. An exciting project that addresses the locations of the Peasant War in the Mansfeld Land and shows the change through the centuries. This is part of the larger program "Justice. Thomas Müntzer & 500 Years of Peasant War".

personalities with aschersleben connection

The Stephaneum has a remarkable list of former students, which also include important personalities. The chemist Rudolf Christian Böttger, the painter Neo Rauch and Walter Andreas Schwarz, the first German ESC participant, graduated from high school here. Interestingly, Walter Andreas Schwarz survived the Holzen concentration camp. Each of these life paths tells their own story that shape the identity and pride of the school. Headmaster Axel Wieczorek emphasizes how important the anniversary is for the identity development of the current students.

The history of the Stephaneum is therefore not only recognized in retrospect, but continues to continue. The school files of today's students find their place in the archive, where they will be part of the upcoming history hour.

All in all, it turns out that the Stephaneum is much more than just an educational institution. It is a lively testimony of history that is deeply rooted in the identity of Aschersleben.