Schwalheim in Bad Nauheim in Wetteraukreis, Hesse, Germany — Central Europe

”… Wes der Fürst, des der Glaub”
⎯⎯⎯
“…Whose Prince, Whose Faith”

— Lutherweg 1521 —

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 22, 2024

1. ”… Wes der Fürst, des der Glaub” / “…Whose Prince, Whose Faith Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Zu Luthers Zeiten gehörte Nauheim zur Grafschaft Hanau-Münzenberg. Hier wurde Mitte des 16. Jahrhunderts die Reformation eingeführt. Zunächst im lutherischen Sinn, dann wurde in einer „zweiten Reformation“ die Konfession erneut gewechselt. Graf Philipp Ludwig II. verfolgte ab 1597 eine entschieden reformierte Kirchenpolitik. Er machte vom „Jus reformandi“ Gebrauch, seinem Recht als Landesherr, die Konfession seiner Untertanen zu bestimmen. Dies setzte er auch entgegen aller Widerstände für sein Territorium durch.

Als die Grafen von Hanau-Münzenberg 1642 ausstarben, fiel ihr Erbe an Graf Friedrich Casimir aus dem lutherischen Haus der Grafen von Hanau-Lichtenberg. Er und seine Nachfolger förderten wiederum die lutherischen Gemeinden. Dadurch wurde Nauheim innerhalb einiger Jahrzehnte faktisch protestantisch in zweifacher Ausprägung. Neben der mittelalterlichen reformierten Kirche von Nauheim, heute die Wilhelmskirche, wurde 1731 bis 1733 eine zweite Kirche für die lutherische Minderheit im Amt Dorheim errichtet, die Reinhardskirche.

Mid-16th century Nauheim belonged to the Hanau-Münzenberg
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county. Here the Reformation was initially established as Lutheran. In 1597 Count Philipp Ludwig II pursued a decisive reformed church policy. In 1642 Count Friedrich Casimir von Hanau-Lichtenberg in turn promoted the Lutheran parishes. In this manner, within a few years Nauheim became Protestant in two ways. Along with the medieval reformed Wilhelmskirche, the Reinhardskirche was constructed between 1731 to 1733 for the Lutheran minority in the Dorheim district.

Beschwerlich und voller Gefahren war die Reise Martin Luthers im Frühjahr 1521 von Wittenberg zum Reichstag nach Worms und zurück zur Wartburg bei Eisenach. Heute steht dieser Weg als Symbol für den Wandel vom Mittelalter zur Neuzeit. Der Lutherweg 1521 folgt den Spuren des Reformators. Er verbindet historische Orte und lässt Glaubensgeschichte lebendig werden.

Martin Luther's journey from Wittenberg to the Diet in Worms and back to Wartburg Castle near Eisenach in the spring of 1521, was difficult and dangerous. Today this trail stands as a symbol of the transition from the Middle Ages to the Modern Era. The Luther Trail 1521 follows the footsteps of the Reformer. It connects historic places and brings religious history to life.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1597.

Location.

”… Wes der Fürst, des der Glaub” / “…Whose Prince, Whose Faith” Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 22, 2024

2. ”… Wes der Fürst, des der Glaub” / “…Whose Prince, Whose Faith” Marker - wide view

50° 21.931′ N, 8° 44.63′ E. Marker is in Bad Nauheim, Hessen (Hesse), in Wetteraukreis. It is in Schwalheim. It is at the intersection of Parkstrasse and Zanderstraße, on the right when traveling west on Parkstrasse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bad Nauheim HE 61231, Germany. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

Central Europe,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ludwigstraße / “Ludwig Street” (within shouting distance of this marker); Die (Bad) Nauheimer Spielbank / The Bad Nauheim Casino (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Parkstraße / “Park Street” (about 210 meters away); Gegen die Atombewaffnung / Against Nuclear Armament (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Kurhaus / Spa Complex (approx. half a kilometer away); Reinhardstraße / “Reinhard Street” (approx. half a kilometer away); Berliner Meilenstein / Berlin Milestone (approx. half a kilometer away); Elvis Aaron Presley (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bad Nauheim.

Also see . . . Der Lutherweg1521 (Lutherweg1521.de, in German). Overview of the pilgrimage route, with maps. Includes copies of the 30+ associated historical markers (Infotafeln), but unfortunately give no locational information for them. Excerpt (in translation):

The Luther Route 1521 is a historic pilgrimage route that follows the footsteps of Martin Luther

3. Marker detail: map of Luther’s 1521 Worms-to-Wartburg journey (ca. 360 km)
The word standort (in red) indicates Bad Nauheim’s location.
as he made his way to his appearance before the Reichstag in Worms. The route stretches for about 400 kilometers and leads through picturesque landscapes, charming towns and important sites of the Reformation.

(Submitted on December 28, 2024.)

Marker detail: Wilhelmskirche (left) and Reinhardskirche (right) image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Wilhelmskirche (left) and Reinhardskirche (right)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 104 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 28, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.

”… Wes der Fürst, des der Glaub”⎯⎯⎯“…Whose Prince, Whose Faith”

— Lutherweg 1521 —

”… Wes der Fürst, des der Glaub”
⎯⎯⎯
“…Whose Prince, Whose Faith”