Formerly part of Hesse, Schmalkalden is a focal point of German and European 16th century history. Landgrave Philip of Hesse was to become one of the first Protestant princes of Germany and an adversary of Charles V, because he regarded the reformation of the church and of the faith by Martin Luther not as a purely German event, but as a change whose impact would resonate throughout the whole of Europe. Following the events at the Augsburg Diet in 1530, and the renewal of the Worms Edict, Philip was one of the princes who realised that only a united alliance of all Protestants would offer protection against the Emperor. The Schmalkaldic League was founded in the last week of December, 1530. Seven diets were held in the town. 1537 has gone down in history as the most “glittering princes’ diet”. The diets were attended by sixteen princes, six counts, envoys of the Emperor, of the Pope and of the kings of France and Denmark, representatives of the 28 Imperial and Hanseatic cities, as well as42 Evangelist theologists led by Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon. On the instructions of the Elector of Saxony, John Frederick, Martin Luther presented his articles of faith, which were incorporated into the Book of Concord of the Evangelical church as the Schmalkaldic Articles and form the basis upon which Lutheran pastors are ordained, even today. Written at a time when Luther felt he was close to death, Luther poured his heart and soul into the articles, and they are often referred to as Luther’s “private confession”.
Although the Schmalkaldic War (1546/47) brought the Schmalkaldic army a devastating defeat in the battle of Mühlberg/Elbe, the Reformation and the Evangelical faith continued.
Conscious of the historic events and aware of the economic importance of the town of Schmalkalden, Landgrave Wilhelm IV of Hesse, son of Philip the Magnanimous, commissioned the building of Wilhelmsburg Castle (1585—90). The result was a prime example of modern German Renaissance architecture, modelled on palaces in France and Germany.
Today, visitors come to Schmalkalden from all over the world to tread truly historic ground, and to seek and find traces of the momentous events of the 16th century.
“VDMIE Verbum Domini manet in eternum—The word of the Lord shall remain forever”
Motto of Philip the Magnanimous and watchword of the Schmalkaldic League
“... by the grace of God we have health and we drink well at this gathering in Schmalkalden and are wise ...”
Eobanus Hessus, 16th century humanist and poet |
View of the group of half-timbered buildings known as the “Island” with Wilhelmsburg Castle in the background
Town hall and town church of St. George
Luther House
 Castle Church |