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| The 1000 year old Worms Cathedral |
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| Martin Luther challenged the Catholic Church here |
Worms is a German city so far west it is almost in France. It is an old Holy Roman Empire City dating back to 350AD. This year the Worms Cathedral is celebrating its 1000th year - 1018 to 2018.
This is where it all happened - where the Protestants broke away from the Catholic Church. Martin Luther was the rebel. He wrote 95 Theses - things wrong with the Catholic Church - and tacked them on the door at the church in Wittenburg - his hometown. Worms was the closest Holy Roman City - so they had a trial called the Edict of Worms here in 1521. Luther appeared at the trial under protection of a white flag. One of his main points of contention was "buying condolences." Rich people were able to sin - and simply by buying a condolence with cash - they could be forgiven. Simply - the Pope said they needed the money to improve the Vatican - and this was his way to get the money.
To give you a time frame - Ponce de Leon - died in Cuba in 1521. He was governor of Puerto Rico and credited with being the first European to land in Florida - part of the present USA.
The Edict said - no one could teach or support Martin Luther's theses. They left him go.
The Protestant Church was born. It was not unlike Henry VIII in England. He wanted to divorce - the Pope said no. So Henry started the Church of England.
Worms was a lovely but quiet city. It was almost 5 PM when we arrived. On Sunday most stores are closed in Germany. But then we realized the the World Cup game with Germany playing Mexico was about to begin. We finished our tour of the 1000 year old Catholic cathedral. Across the street is a big Protestant church built in Martin Luther's honor. We stumbled onto a large crowd as we left the church. It was 4:55 PM - the crowd was ready for the first big match. Since Germany won the last World Cup - they were primed to pound Mexico. Two hours later - Mexico 1 - Germany 0.
One other highlight. This is the first city where we found a monument to Nazi Soldiers.
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| This Worms crowd was waiting for the goal that never came |
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| Memorial to Martin Luther |
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| Martin Luther statue behind Cathedral |
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| Worms Cathedral |
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| Main door cathedral |
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| Worms Cathedral |
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| Worms Cathedral |
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| Statue inside Protestant church |
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| Street party that never happened |
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| Worms Train Station - very German looking |
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I cannot find many details about
this German soldiers monument |
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