Wittenberg was first founded in the 12th century on the northern bank of the Elbe River. The name Wittenberg comes from the old German word for "white mountain" which describes the light colored sand found in the region. In 1517 the monk Martin Luther published 95 Theses against the Churches use of indulgences, thereby sparking the Reformation movement. He became a professor of Biblical Studies at the University of Wittenberg, and his fame attracted many students.
Wittenberg has undergone many political and economic changes since East Germany was reunited with West Germany in 1990. The communist government fell, and a new democratic government formed in its place. The old economy has changed from a communist to a capitalist one. The old chemical industrial base is slowly being replaced with one based on tourism, small business, handicrafts and commerce. Today Wittenberg has 50,000 inhabitants and is visited by 120,000 tourists every year. Wittenberg, Germany
The city is alive with many public works projects including a wastewater treatment facility, renovation of historic buildings, and the remodeling of a secondary school by the famous architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Currently Wittenberg is planning to reestablish itself as an important center for higher learning by creating a Center for Global Ethics. Wittenberg established its partnership with Springfield in 1995.
