Photo: Alexander WestenbergLeisnig's social order by Martin LutherLeisnig, the city on the mountain, with its medieval Castle Mildenstein and the nearby Cistercian monastery of Buch, is situated in the middle of Saxony, exactly between Dresden, Leipzig and Chemnitz. Leisnig played a vital role during the age of the Reformation.

As early as two years after Luther's posting of his theses, the city church St. Matthäi followed the teachings of the Reformer. Both sermons and the sacraments were managed accordingly. Spiritually, the people did not want to be under the administration of the monastery of Buch any more. Runaway monks had to be taken care of, and needed to be supplied with seed money. Other charitable tasks were also to be performed.

Preface of Leisnig's social order by Martin Luther

Therefore the citizens of Leisnig asked Martin Luther to travel to the city in order to participate in negotiations about a social order. In 1522 and 1523 he came for several days. The result was Leisnig's Order of Casts, the world's oldest social document, for which Martin Luther also wrote the preface. He composed other documents for the city as well.

The most well-known one is Leisnig's Order of Casts, whose basic approaches continue to remain relevant until today. It regulates the administration of the community's financial income, which was stored in a chest with four locks. A copy of the document can be seen in the entrance of the city church.

It is worthwhile to visit the church, which houses portraits of all superintendents since 1619. Already in 1529, Mag. Wolfgang Fueß, a friend of Martin Luther, had been the first superintendent. Leisnig (today: Leisnig-Oschatz) therefore belongs to the world's oldest Ephories.

Photo: Alexander WestenbergThe city church St. Matthäi in LeisnigThrough medieval alleys to the Cistercian monastery

It is always a good idea to walk through the medieval alleys to the city domain, the city church and the castle Mildenstein, all of which are in close proximity to each other, as well as to the former Cistercian monastery of Buch. Within a radius of 20 kilometres there are countless castles and mills. It is therefore recommended to spend more than only one day in this wonderful area, which is steeped in history and offers many attractions.