How about a stroll through a park with a past? This is the Lutherpark in Flensburg. It is named after the famous reformer Martin Luther. Let’s uncover its story.
The Lutherpark sits in the Friesischer Berg neighborhood. It is near Flensburg’s city center. The Lutherhaus, a cultural monument, borders the park. You can find it on Südergraben. The park is nestled between Südergraben and Friesische Straße. Opposite the park is Villa Besenbruch. It serves as the city’s registry office. Not far away stands Flensburg’s Rathaus. The park’s slope faces south, soaking in the sun.
Before 1850, the green space belonged to the Christiansen family. In 1852, a building called Villa Hargens was built above the green space. It was for a Justice Council member. The architect Laurits Albert Winstrup designed it. In 1911, the German Committee used the house. In 1916, St. Nikolai Church acquired it. A plaque commemorates Pastor Heinrich Köhler’s acquisition. In the early 1920s, the Schleswig-Holsteiner-Bund’s Flensburg office was located there.
In 1920, the church community renamed the house Lutherhaus. Today, it is a cultural monument of the city.
In 1933, the Nazi-aligned “German Christians” gained power in church bodies. On November 19, 1933, they appointed Propst Hasselmann in Flensburg. This was during the 450th anniversary of Martin Luther’s birth. Local Nazi representatives planted a Luther oak tree on the museum forecourt. This event was hailed as the “second German Reformation”. In the same year, the area of Museumsberg was named Lutherplatz. The museum at Heinrich-Sauermann-Haus was addressed as Lutherplatz 1 for many years.
In 1996, the city planned to rename Lutherplatz. Many citizens protested. Despite the protests, the Lutherplatz was renamed Museumsberg in 1997. In return, the city decided to name the park below the Lutherhaus after Martin Luther. On Reformation Day in 1997, the nameless green space became Lutherpark. Mayor Dielewicz and Pröpstin Gross-Rickern were present.
Not far from Lutherpark, the Flensburg Disputation took place on April 8, 1529. Johannes Bugenhagen participated. The Danish Crown Prince Christian III and 400 others attended. During this meeting, the introduction of the Reformation in Denmark and Schleswig-Holstein was decided.
The Lutherpark’s current sign features the Lutheran swan symbol. The paths wind up the slope to Lutherhaus. Park benches line the paths. Today, the Lutherhaus serves as a community center. In spring, the park’s slope is covered in crocuses. This is similar to the Christiansenpark and the Old Cemetery in Flensburg. It is comparable to the Husum crocus blossom. So, take a seat. Enjoy the view. Reflect on the history of this green space.