Karl Steinbauer-Haus

Whispers of defiance echo within the Karl Steinbauer-Haus. This unassuming building at Markusplatz 1 holds a story of unwavering faith and resistance against the Nazi regime. The Karl Steinbauer-Haus is named after Karl Steinbauer, a Lutheran pastor who stood firm against the Nazi ideology. Steinbauer’s story began in Windsbach in 1906. While initially influenced by nationalist sentiment, he became a staunch critic of Hitler and the Nazi party. His unwavering faith guided him during his time as a vicar in Penzberg, where he clashed with authorities over church flags and bell-ringing during fraudulent elections. Steinbauer believed the church should not be complicit in the state’s deception. He refused to give the Nazi salute and rejected the Aryan certificate, declaring he’d rather stand with Christ and his apostles than conform to discriminatory laws. His defiance led to imprisonment in Weilheim and later in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Even in the face of persecution, Steinbauer never wavered. He was drafted into the Wehrmacht and served in the Russian campaign. He was later acquitted in a court martial for preaching a sermon deemed subversive. After the war, he continued his ministry. Steinbauer remained a critical voice, challenging the church leadership’s compromises during Nazi rule. He documented his struggles in a multi-volume work, ensuring his story would not be forgotten. The Karl Steinbauer-Haus stands as a testament to his courage. The Evangelical Student Community of Bamberg honors his legacy within these walls. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faith, integrity, and resistance in the face of oppression.