Photo: Wikimedia Commons/AkaThe Katharinenkirche in ZwickauIn the beginning of the 16th century Friedrich der Weiße called Zwickau “Pearl in Electorate of Saxony” because of Silver mining, business and trade. The city was one of the centres of reformation. It is the place where the reformatory movement was especially recognized by citizens and council.

Luther's treatise was dedicated to the mayor of Zwickau

Many well-known citizens keep in deep touch with Martin Luther and other reformers. Martin Luther dedicated his writing “From Freedom of a Christian man” to Hermann Mühlpfort, the mayor of Zwickau. In 1520/21 Thomas Müntzer worked as pastor in the Marienkirche and later in the Katharinenkirche. As long ago as in 1521 Nikolaus Hausmann, the pastor of the Marienkirche, shaped the divine service after the imaginations of Luther. In 1522 Luther himself preached four times in Zwickau.