Luther Garden

"Even if I knew that the world would end tomorrow, I would still plant an apple tree today." This saying is attributed to the reformer Martin Luther. In reference to this, 500 trees were planted in the newly designed Luther Garden during the Luther Decade until 2017. Each tree is sponsored by churches from all over the world, which in turn plant a tree at their home church. The tree species from all continents are a symbol of the international idea behind the project.

The green spaces of the Luther Garden were created at various locations along the ramparts of Lutherstadt Wittenberg. The first site was created on Andreasbreite near the Wittenberg Castle Church, one of the most important sites of the Reformation. Since 2009, almost 300 trees have been planted here by representatives of the churches, who have taken on a tree sponsorship. Many of the trees are still quite small, but in just a few years, the Luther Garden will develop into a central meeting place for locals and tourists under a dense canopy of leaves.

A square in the shape of a Luther rose has been created in the center of the Andreasbreite area. Linden trees rise up from the five petals, representing community, justice and assembly. These linden trees are sponsored by Christian world communions: the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, the Anglican Communion, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the World Methodist Council are represented here.

From the Luther Rose, seven paths symbolically lead out into the world, five of which are so-called "International Avenues". From here you can reach the second location, the Luther Garden at Wittenberg's New Town Hall. A good 100 trees have now been planted there. Two avenues of trees meet in the center, and the Luther rose can also be found there.

The fact that the Luther Garden is also an international project is demonstrated not least by the tree species planted on the site in Wittenberg, which are native to the world. Tree species from all continents grow along the paths on the Andreasbreite and are a reminder of the international impact of the Reformation. North America, for example, is represented by the red maple, Africa by the field maple and the Asian and Pacific region by the flowering ash, among others. You can also admire the flora of Latin America and the Caribbean here, for example in the form of the trumpet tree. European fruit tree meadows have also been planted to break up the avenues. The diversity is also intended to symbolize the common growth of churches around the world. Accordingly, church representatives from congregations all over the world continue to plant trees in the Luther Garden.