Churches and Reformation sites

The town church of St. Marien, an impressive late Gothic hall church, together with Hartenfels Castle, characterizes the townscape of Torgau. A Romanesque basilica stood here as early as the 12th century. Particularly worth seeing is the altarpiece “The Fourteen Holy Helpers”, an early masterpiece by Lucas Cranach the Elder. Equally fascinating is the tomb slab of Duchess Sophia of Mecklenburg, which was made in the famous Vischer workshop in Nuremberg. Other treasures of the church include the baroque high altar by Simonetti, the ornate Renaissance pulpit, the Passion altar and the magnificent marble tombstone. Another important aspect is the final resting place of Katharina von Bora, whose tombstone shows an expressive portrait. In addition, the Katharina Luther Museum in Torgau offers fascinating insights into her life.

Opposite the town church, in the superintendent's office building, Gabriel Zwilling, known as Didymus, was appointed the first superintendent of Torgau after the visitation in 1529.
Martin Luther and his fellow campaigners wrote the Torgau Articles in these rooms in 1530.Today, the historic building houses the “Wurzen und Flügel” (Roots and Wings) exhibition.

The former Electoral Chancellery, strategically located between the town church and the castle, served as the forerunner of today's Saxon State Chancellery during the Reformation period.Today it houses the Torgau Town and Cultural History Museum.

Another highlight is the Torgau Castle Chapel - the first Protestant church building to be consecrated by Martin Luther himself.

Tucked away in the inner courtyard of the town hall is the former Nikolai Church. Important milestones of the Reformation were set here: the first German baptism took place in 1519 and the first Protestant sermon was preached just one year later. After it was secularized, the church was used as a trade house and flour scales, among other things, and was never used as a church again.