2028: 1000 years of Naumburg, 1030+ years of viticulture in the region
As is well known, Naumburg will celebrate its 1000th anniversary in 2028. The city’s origins are generally traced back to the documented transfer of the bishop’s seat from Zeitz to Naumburg in 1028. Since the 900th-anniversary celebrations in 1928, this significant date has formed the basis for the city’s anniversary celebrations. However, there is also a document stating that viticulture on the Saale and Unstrut rivers began at least as early as 998, i.e. at least 30 years earlier.
It dates back to Emperor Otto III. In Rome, in November 998, the good man issued a deed of donation. It’s amazing what has been handed down to us. The text, in Latin of course, can be found in the official imperial documents of the Ottonian dynasty. A very specific legal formulation is crucial for viticulture. Emperor Otto III donated various assets to the monastery of Memleben using the following wording.
"... cum terris cultis et incultis (including cultivated and uncultivated land), pratis (meadows), pascuis (pastures), silvis (forests), venationibus (hunts), aquis aquarumve decursibus (bodies of water and watercourses), piscationibus (Fisheries), molendinis (Mills), vineis (Vineyards), viis et inviis (paths and no-paths), exitibus et reditibus (expenditure and income) ..."
The word ‘vineis’ (from the Latin ‘vinea’, meaning ‘vineyard’) provides historical evidence that viticulture was already practised in the region. It is difficult to give away something that does not exist.
The document marks the beginning of winegrowing along the Saale and Unstrut rivers: in a deed dated 30 November 998, the Emperor granted the monastery a total of seven specifically named settlements. These villages were scattered throughout the fertile region surrounding the Saale and Unstrut rivers. We list five of them here – who hasn’t heard of them?
Memleben was donated and forms the centre of the donation itself. This was the site of the important imperial palace (where King Henry I and Emperor Otto I died) as well as the Benedictine monastery. Today, the Memleben monastery vineyard is once again one of the region’s cultivated steep slopes. The Siegmund and Klingbeil winery is currently responsible for its management.
Albersroda and Steigra are being given away. Both villages are situated on the plateau north of the Unstrut Valley. Winegrowing is still actively practised today, particularly in Steigra. The village is known for its historic vineyards.
The village of Vitzenburg is a real gem: it lies right on the steep slopes of the Unstrut. The south-facing slopes offer excellent climatic conditions. To this day, Vitzenburg Castle towers over the striking, centuries-old vineyards. The Lüttmer winery continues the centuries-old tradition on the Schlossberg and produces exquisite wines on these coveted steep slopes.
And Goseck is another gem: situated on a striking chalk cliff right by the River Saale. The sheltered hillside location directly above the river was ideal for the monks’ early wine-growing endeavours. Today, the Goseck Pfeifer & Frick winery carries on the tradition.
