Luther Trail – History and Urban Redevelopment

Interview with Dr. Christian Philipsen and Kerstin Faber

What role is played by the Luther Memorials in the urban redevelopment?

Dr. Christian Philipsen: The care and further development of the Luther Memorials is the central task of the foundation, extensive renovation work has been required since its founding in 1997. In this it has also been worthwhile taking a look at the urban environment. We welcome visitors from all around the world to Eisleben, the majority of these visit primarily because of Luther. The infrastructure has to be right if tourism is the function as it should.

Kerstin Faber: The foundation is a key partner, both as a stakeholder and a building owner. It ensures quality management in the background, not only by preparing the content for the stopping points on the Luther Trail, but also through its requirements of building culture, which it raises within the town.

Do the visitors mention the urban redevelopment?

Dr. Christian Philipsen: On tours from the birthplace to the house in which Luther died there were frequent questions concerning population figures and unemployment levels – due to the vacant houses and derelict plots. The image of the town has now improved significantly – thanks also to the IBA.

The fundamental problem of shrinkage remains, however. To what extent does the profiling of Eisleben as Lutherstadt help?

Dr. Christian Philipsen: This reprofiling is a consequence of the shrinking process. Until approximately 1990 Eisleben saw itself primarily as a mining town – and Luther was the son of a miner. With the collapse of the mining industry a vacuum existed for a number of years. And now, also thanks to the IBA, a new profile is being created with Luther; with a view to tourism and the opportunity to make money, but also as a means for the citizens of Eisleben to identify with their town.

Eisleben has invented the “Luther Trail” between Luther’s birthplace and the house in which he died. Who was this trail created for, and why?

Kerstin Faber: It combines history with urban redevelopment. On the trail tourists discover derelict plots and vacant buildings, artistically redeveloped using Luther-related themes. These new narrative ad- dresses qualify the urban situation and their temporary design means that they remain open for further developments. The Luther Trail is conceived with both tourists and inhabitants of Eisleben in mind.

Dr. Christian Philipsen: For me as museum director it is primarily a tourist trail that combines the historic places of birth and death with the church of St. Annen. Luther was one of the founders of the St. Annen monastery in 1515. On the other hand, the trail is an instrument for reoccupying difficult urban situations such as derelict and empty houses with artwork and landscape design, whilst at the same time providing information about Luther. The foundation is involved in the Luther Trail in a conceptual capacity, as well as being the developer for “Eisleben Hof” and the “Garden of Creation”.

The Luther Trail provided the inspiration for the Luther walk …

Kerstin Faber: … which is now traditionally held on the last Sunday of August, and which attracted 500 walkers in 2009. Festivals have a social force that should not be underestimated, they promote identification. They encourage discussion and involvement in the process of developing an urban culture, as well as being a celebration of community spirit.

Dr. Christian Philipsen: … and civic involvement has a tradition in Eisleben. Luther’s birthplace was always owned by the municipality, with its objects donated by the citizenry. Today we still receive donations from individuals and companies, without which the restoration of exhibits would be very difficult. Beyond this there are also active associations such as the Eisleber Berg- und Hüttenverein (mining and smelting), the Heimatverein (local history) and the Verein Altes Vikariat (old vicariate), which formed especially for the IBA, in order to establish the vicariate gardens as one of the stations along the Luther Trail.

Kerstin Faber: The communal project of the Lutherstadt’s redevelopment has proven its value as a platform for development and will continue to be of assistance beyond the IBA 2010. This requires that themes are updated and new players motivated to become involved in the process.