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the Castle Church: Portal of the 95 Theses

Portal of the 95 Theses

Sadly, the original wooden doors to which Luther posted his theses were destroyed in a 1760 fire. But to commemorate the 375th anniversary of Luther's birth in 1858, they were replaced with bronze doors that bear the Latin text of the 95 Theses. The painting in the tympanum was added at the same time. It depicts Luther and Melancthon kneeling before a Crucifixion against the backdrop of Wittenberg, with Luther holding his German Bible and Melancthon the Augsburg Confession.

Credit: Holly Hayes