Overview

• The Evangelische Kirche Mitteldeutschland has urged all 3,112 of its member congregations to open their 3,900 churches and chapels as public cooling centers.
• Church officials note that historic sanctuaries are often naturally the coolest indoor spaces and report that about one-third of sites are already reliably accessible.
• The Deutscher Wetterdienst predicts widespread highs of 34–38°C on Wednesday with local peaks up to 40°C, raising concerns over heat-related illnesses.
• Regional authorities are highlighting alternative relief spots including the Saalfelder Feengrotten show mine at 8–10°C and the solar-powered Skihalle Oberhof maintained at minus-four degrees.
• New measures such as subsidized vandalism insurance and extended opening schedules underscore efforts to bolster community readiness for extreme heat.