Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Olaf2The monastery church, since 1694 the "Wallonerkirche"The Reformer stayed in Magdeburg several times. From the spring of 1497 until Easter 1498, he was a student with the Brothers of Communal Life, a spiritual community that did not require religious vows. In 1516, Martin Luther visited the Augustinian monastery. After the sermon he held in 1524 in the church of St. John, most members of the council were convinced and followed Luther's Reformation. The Catholic mass was abolished in the same year.

Luther preached in the monastery church

With several sermons he held in the monastery church (since 1694 the "Wallonerkirche"), Luther contributed decisively to the moderate, civil direction the Reformation took in the city. Nikolaus von Amsdorf, whom he sent to Magdeburg, opened a city school in the former Augustinian monastery, which became very famous. Ultimately, the city became a bulwark of the Reformation. Today, Magedburg belongs to the Union of European Reformation Sites.
 
A memorial, which was erected by Emil Hundrieser in 1886 near the church of St. John , is a reminder of Luther's visits to the city.