The Castle Church

This is the Castle and Castle Church.  It is located on the Western edge of the city right next to the Coswig gate.  The Castle and the Castle Church, actually named the All Saints Church, were built by Frederick the Wise between 1490 and 1511.  The Church ( shown at the left) is made up of the Northern section of the castle.  The Castle Church is known both for its artistic interior and for Frederick the Wise's unique collection of relics.  It is home to over 5,000 relics.  People come from all over Christendom to view them.

The Church has also become quite famous for another reason.  On it's wooden doors is where Dr. Martin Luther essentially started all this reformation excitement by nailing his 95 Theses on October 31, 1517..  Dr. Luther, like many others have done before him, was attempting to draw attention to an issue that he thought needed to be debated and dealt with.  His 95 Theses were points of debate on the sale of indulgences, a practice which even though it has been discouraged within our city has become quite popular throughout the Empire.  Dr. Luther may not have been attempting to start a religious reformation with this simple act, but that is just what he ended up doing.

This is a view of the castle from the southwest.  To the left you can see the Coswig gate, to the right you can see the Elbe gate, and in the background you can see the spires of the City Church.