A spiritual walk around all three locations of the Luthergarten, about 2 hours.
Here you can find the tour as a print version.
In each section, you’ll find directions and information about the location. This is followed by Bible verses, questions for reflection, and sometimes a short activity.
Have fun exploring the Luthergarten!
Ready to start? From the town square (Marktplatz), go down the street “Elbstraße,” then turn right into the park at the playground. You are now in the first location of the Luthergarten, the “Andreasbreite.”
"Even if I knew that the world were to collapse tomorrow,
I would still plant my apple tree today."
(Ascribed to Martin Luther)
With this quote from Luther in mind, the Luthergarten was developed to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation with a global, ecumenical, and living monument.
“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.
They shall be like a tree planted by water, sending out its roots by the stream.
It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green;
in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit.”
(Jeremiah 17:7-8)
Walk through the trees to the art installation “Heaven’s Cross.”
Built into the center of the Luthergarten is the Luther rose, the flower built into the pavement, with a tree between each of the flower’s petals. Inside is a heart with a cross that looks rusty. But when you look up, the shining layers of the Heaven’s Cross, each larger than the next, expand the view toward heaven.
Jesus says:
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me;
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.”
(Matthew 11:28-29)
Within the Luther Rose, five trees are planted around the Heaven’s Cross. Walk around and look at the trees and their plaques.
In Christ Jesus all Christians are brothers and sisters. Just like in a family, these church siblings have differing opinions and things are not always easy. Yet here, under the traditional gathering place of linden trees, different confessions come to grow together toward heaven.
“After this I looked,
and there was a great multitude that no one could count,
from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages,
standing before the throne and before the Lamb,
robed in white, with palm branches in their hands.
They cried out in a loud voice, saying,
‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne,
and to the Lamb!’”
(Revelation 7:9-10)
Keep going West through the Luthergarten, around the end of the castle, and cross the street (Schlossplatz). Keep walking through the town fortifications park (ca. 0.5 km, follow signs about “Wallanlagen”), then cross the next street (Juristenstraße). Look for the New Town Hall (corner of Berlinerstraße and Lutherstraße). There you’ll find the trees of the second location of the Luthergarten.
As you walk, reflect with the verses and questions on the back of the card.
“God… rested on the seventh day from all the work
that he had done.” (Genesis 2:2)“They heard the sound of the Lord God walking
in the garden at the time of the evening breeze.”
(Genesis 3:8)
Walk through the tree-lined alley.
On these grounds are the town hall, an event hall, and the second location of the Luthergarten. This is a place for the townspeople.
At every tree planting, guests came to Wittenberg and celebrated a devotion at the tree.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
‘May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers.’
For the sake of my relatives and friends I will say,
‘Peace be within you.'
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.”
(Psalm 122:6-9)
Turn right through the parking lot, then cross the street. Walk along the „Schwanenteich” pond, cross the next street (Neustraße), and continue through the park. Turn right at the next street (“Wilhelm-Weber-Straße,” before the panorama) and walk to the Lutherhouse, then turn left to get to the park.
“Look at the birds of the air;
they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not of more value than they?”
(Matthew 6:26)
The entire parkland used to be fortifications to protect the city. There once was a bunker here, but now it’s a park where art, faith, history and global community come together in the University Park, the Luthergarten, and the Luther House.
“Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John
and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them,
and his face shone like the sun,
and his clothes became dazzling white.”
(Matthew 17:1-2)
High locations are often places of transformation. This hill can also be a space for new perspectives.
by Cicero Design