Martin Luther in Aš

The only Luther monument in the Czech Republic

The monument to Dr. Martin Luther stands in the town of Aš in the Karlovy Vary Region near the local town hall. It is the only monument to this personality in the Czech Republic. The monument was unveiled on November 11, 1883 as part of the Lutherfest celebrations on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of Martin Luther's birth. It refers to the Lutheran tradition in the Aš region. The local Evangelical congregation was one of the largest in Austria-Hungary. The cost of its acquisition was 6,775 marks. In 2018, it was declared a cultural monument.

Martin Luther Monument in Aš

The model was created by the Nuremberg sculptor Johann Wolfgang Rössner (1841–1911). The life-size statue was then cast in Nuremberg by Christoph Albrecht Lenz, whose family has been involved in artistic foundry since 1829. The two artists also collaborated on the Martin Beheim monument on Theresienplatz in Nuremberg. The pedestal made of polished syenite was created by the stonemason Wilhelm Wölfel from Selb, Bavaria. On the front is the inscription "Dr. MARTIN LUTHER" and on the back "Enthüllt am 10. November 1883". The 1999 renovation is commemorated by the inscription "Restauriert im Jahre 1999 durch dem Heimatverband des Kreises Asch und die Stadt Asch".The monument is one of the last preserved historical buildings from the original city center. Martin Luther is depicted in a long coat. He reaches for his heart with his right hand, while holding a Bible in his left. The statue is also specific for its details - for example, the depiction of protruding veins.