Wittering in Wittenberg!

Thursday 12th September 2024. RU OK Day.

Torgau to Lutherstadt Wittenberg – 71km.

First and foremost, I want to check if you (the reader) is OK. I am reaching out to you and I want you to know I’m here for you on RU OK Day. Every other day I would appreciate it if you keep your feelings private! Of course I don’t mean that but I’m just being sarcastic with the ridiculous ‘days’ that get promoted. Did you know that this week is Biscuits and Gravy Week! Who thought that one up? Why?

Moving on. I got a decent start on a cool but bright morning. It was so cool that my hands got cold today and I had to put on gloves. I don’t mind the cold as long as I stay dry….which I did.

At 11am I jumped out of my skin when my phone loudly and stridently rang and vibrated with a German Emergency Test Message. Thankfully the written message clearly stated, in English, that it was just a test. We never rehearse using the mobile network for such a sensible thing.

I needed a coffee after such a drama. I had done 60km before I found a coffee stop….

The only other thing of note was what looked like a functioning vindmill.…

I was in Lutherstadt Wittenberg by lunchtime. I went straight into the Lutherhaus to get more information on the man himself. I wasn’t convinced that Idris Elba was cast appropriately for the TV role.

Apparently Martin Luther didn’t even ‘Have a Dream’. What he had probably changed the world more than anyone I can think of.

The basic story it that he was born nearby but became an Augustinian monk here in Wittenberg as a young man, he also studied theology and philosophy at the newly created Wittenberg University. He gained a doctorate and his beliefs changed. He left the Augustine practice and he wrote the 95 Theses’ against the use of ‘indulgencies’ by the Catholic religion. The indulgencies were payments or atonement’s encouraged by the Pope to amend for sins committed, usually by wealthy people who paid large sums for forgiveness. The Pope named Luther a ‘heretic’ but Luther had support from Frederich the Elector of Wittenberg. He also had a group of loyal supporters which meant that he was able to continue to preach against the excesses of Catholicism. Luther devised the new style of worship now considered to be Protestant, with the Communion and the Creed at its heart. Luther and his friends interpreted the Bible into German language for the first time. This had the additional effect of unifying the various Germanic languages into one cohesive language. Sorry if I’m getting a bit deep here but he also proposed that the city authorities should support the poor, a role performed only by the Catholic religion to that point….a step towards socialism?

Luther was I suppose the first Protestant who led the way to other religious groupings of Methodist, Unitarian, Reformist, Quaker and even versions of Protestant church….like Church of England. It emboldened King Henry VIII to split from Catholicism. His reasons were more connected to divorcing one wife to marry another rather than for theological reasons. There has been plenty of wars and violent disputes too where Catholic and Protestant opponents have been involved.

For a break from the history and religion I dined in the Marktplatz. I had currywurst and chips,

The view of the Rathaus was good too.

Onward to the Schloss and Schloss Kapel.

The Schloss Kapel is where Martin Luther was buried. It seemed a little out of character for him to be buried in an ornate location but maybe he was buried here because it was under the personal control of the Elector. He had many powerful Catholic enemies who might have wanted to trash his memory, given the chance.

I got back to find my (very pleasant for a change) hotel. I was delighted to see a bath in the room. I soaked my weary bones in a lovely hot bath.

I had a little walk out, as I often do. I revisited the Marktplatz. There were stalls out….I don’t know why….perhaps they do ‘Just Because Day’ later than us? Then I watched a session of ‘Campanology’.

No, it’s not collecting stamps or a group of Scouts or….(I won’t go there). It is the beautiful art of bell ringing.

Tomorrow is a longer ride and not so flat. I leave the Elbe. My destination is Potsdam. I’m expecting big things in Potsdam but it is forecast to rain in the afternoon. I will try and get a move on in the morning to try to beat the rain and to give me a chance of seeing something.

Ooo I’m getting excited for Saturday too. I will see Janice in Berlin for a mini break.

Last chance….RU OK? No wittering tomorrow!