Freedom struggle 500 years ago: New exhibition opened in Worms!

Freedom struggle 500 years ago: New exhibition opened in Worms!

A new special exhibition is opened in the Worms City Museum, which is all about the struggle for freedom 500 years ago. The exhibition "The Air of Freedom", named after a quote from the humanist Ulrich von Hutten, runs from July 4 to November 2, 2025 and addresses the striking 500th anniversary of the farmers' battle near Pfeddersheim. This not only takes into account the historical event that completed the peasant war in the Palatinate and Rheinhessen, but also the associated social upheavals and the development of democracy and freedom rights to the present day. The desire for self -determination plays a central role, which also refers to the historical connections to personalities such as Franz von Sickingen and Ulrich von Hutten.

Minister of Culture Katharina Binz emphasized the enormous effects of these events on history at the opening and emphasized how important it is to think about freedom rights. Curator Olaf Mückain underlined the important role that Worms played in the Reformation period. In 1521, Martin Luther's famous appearance took place here, who laid the spirits and the foundation stone for many of the farmers' later demands. "With this exhibition, we would like to convey and show the visitors a living picture of the time at that time and how the farmers' uprising is still reverberating," continued Mückain.

a look into the past

The exhibition takes a comprehensive look at the harbing, backgrounds and the end of the peasant war. The period of the early 16th century was a time of upheaval and the unrest in the Holy Roman Empire, characterized by Martin Luther's reform movements, which fell on fertile soil in both knights and farmers. In 1522 the first knights rose against their sovereigns, but were unable to success. At the latest in 1524, the farmers felt the oppressive feudal taxes and early services and also began to revolt. The turmoil, which took its outcome in Nußdorf, quickly expanded and numerous cities and gentlemen joined the Palatinate Farm Alliance.

The crucial argument, the Battle of Pfeddersheim, however, was the final end for the farmers who were subject to the superior princes. The peasant war was damped, but the demands for better living conditions and more rights remained anchored in society.

visitor information

The exhibition is open on Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., also on public holidays. Particularly noteworthy are the reduced admission prices of 7.00 euros for adults, 5.00 euros for reduced and 15.00 euros for families - children up to 12 years have free admission. Discounts are offered for groups of 10 or more people and access to the building is barrier -free. For everyone who arrives by public transport, the marketplace/Petersstraße and Worms Hbf stops are in a pleasant proximity.

The exhibition "The Air of Freedom" is not only a review of an important chapter in German history, but also an impetus for reflection on the inherent values ​​and rights, for which many fight then and even today. This again becomes an important place in historical culture in which the past is kept alive.

Further information on the exhibition can be found on the pages of worms.de , Museum Sportal Rheinland-Pfalz and University of Würzburg .