Saxony is popular with travelers for a multitude of reasons. The state, in the eastern part of Germany bordering Poland, the Czech Republic and Bavaria to the south, is Germany’s number one cultural destination. It is enriched with modern cities, historic and quaint small towns, low mountain ranges, water landscapes, expansive parks, gardens, as well as friendly, service-oriented hosts. Now, there is yet another reason to travel to this beautiful state: to see the newest UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Herrnhuter Brüdergemeine settlements, founded by the evangelical Moravian Church in the Saxon town of Herrnhut, are Saxony’s newest UNESCO site. This marks the third UNESCO site in Saxony, alongside Muskau Park (shared with Poland, and recognized for its groundbreaking English style park at the time of its creation); and the Ore Mountains renowned for their beauty and mining which created the wealth of Saxony.
The town of Herrnhut in southeastern Saxony is the founding place of the Moravian Church, internationally known for the production of the Moravian stars and worldwide missionary work. The Moravian Church, today based on four continents, has worldwide church and cultural-historical significance. Together with the neighboring towns, Herrnhut forms a regional center in the heart of Saxony’s Upper Lusatia between Löbau and Zittau, along Europe’s Via Sacra.
Today, the impact of the Moravian church in Herrnhut and the openness of their theology can be felt all over the world and especially in America where more than 60,000 Moravians are settled. Many people recognize the Moravian Church’s influence through their Daily Texts, a tradition of delivering a “daily message from God that is new every morning.” The first Daily Text was published in Herrnhut in 1731 and today the texts reach over 1.5 million people in 50 different languages.
Almost 325 years ago, on June 17, 1722, a small group of intrepid protestant refugees from Moravia, the modern day Czech Republic, arrived in Herrnhut. These Christian believers, who can be traced back to the early followers of Jan Hus in the Czech Republic, sought religious refuge. Saxon Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf, a deeply pious man known for his strong religious conviction, granted the Moravians a small patch of land that is today called Herrnhut. Fortunately, the Elector of Saxony at that time, Augustus the Strong, was a tolerant leader and did not stop Zinzendorf from protecting these Protestants.
The group sought to create brotherhood and unity. And, with Zinzendorf’s leadership, the Christian community created an atmosphere of religious acceptance. Zinzendorf and his followers promoted “Theology of the Heart,” which focused on the essential relationship between Christ and the believer rather than being overly concerned with doctrinal differences between churches. Christianity was defined as faith in Christ, love for one another and the world, and hope for the future. The ability to live in a loving community was a mark of true faith. Herrnhut became a special place that attracted people from all over Central Europe who wanted a more intense and personal Christian commitment.
Through its commitment to spreading its ideas and religious evangelization, this small community of Christians influenced how Christianity today is practiced throughout the world. The Moravian missionaries traveled all over the world to share their message. In fact, it was Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf, who as a missionary to America, founded the city of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on December 24, 1741.
The Völkerkundemuseum (Museum of Ethnology) in Herrnhut houses items from all over the world that the Moravians brought back from their missionary trips. This museum is a part of the State Art Collection Dresden and houses items from India, Asia, North and South America, Greenland among other countries.
The Moravian star is also recognized around the world. The stars originated in Saxony in the 1830s as a craft project to teach Moravian boys about geometry. In 1880, Pieter Verbeek opened a small bookstore where he began to sell the stars. Pieter’s son, Harry, improved his father’s business and opened a star factory in Herrnhut, Germany. The stars were mass produced and sent all over the world, including to America. Although the original factory was burnt down in WWII, it was rebuilt in 1950s, and can be visited. The stars can have anywhere from six to over 100 points but the original Moravian star has 26 points and represents the holiday season.
Herrnhut is a pilgrimage site for many visitors searching the site of the first Moravian church, which has been restored to its original appearance. Visitors can see Berthelsdorf Church, the site of the first communion, Count Zinzendorf’s manor house and grave, as well as the unpretentious and poignant cemetery which is especially impressive for its simplicity.
Students looking to research the history of the Moravian church can search the extensive Moravian archives, the oldest archive house in Saxony. Founded in 1764, the archives include a library of all publications of the Moravian Church and of Moravian authors, such as letters, mission reports, memoirs, and congregation diaries. In 1945, the Russian Army burned down the original Moravian Church built in 1756, but the community rebuilt the church and the other burned buildings in the 1950s.
Herrnhut is approximately 55 miles from Dresden and best reached by car. The Moravian Church’s guest house has the largest accommodation; the house with its park-like garden is situated in a quiet location on the outskirts of the historic old part of the town. The town center can easily be reached on foot in just a few minutes. Herrnhut is surrounded by beautiful countryside with plenty of options to explore by bike or hiking. The locals always welcome foreigners to join their Moravian Church service on Sundays or their Easter service at dawn.
http://www.herrnhut.de/
https://www.unitaetsarchiv.de/en/(Moravian Archives)
https://voelkerkunde-herrnhut.skd.museum/en/ Völkerkundemuseum (Ethnology Museum))
No comments:
Post a Comment