Explore the Rich Heritage, Breathtaking Landscapes, and More in Luther’s Germany

Venturing deep into the heart of Germany, where picturesque red-tiled roofs and steepled villages emerge from the rolling Harz Mountains, feels like a journey back to the Middle Ages. Five centuries after Martin Luther revolutionized Christianity, his influence remains evident in the historic villages and academic towns he once inhabited. This culturally vibrant region known as LutherLand is also home to an array of natural wonders, featuring lush gardens, meticulously kept vineyards, and expansive national parks filled with hiking trails and scenic vistas that offer numerous ways to rejuvenate both mind and body.

In the “Heart of the Reformation”

Following Luther’s footsteps and delving into the origins of the Reformation will lead you on an enlightening journey through Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt in central Germany. Start your pilgrimage in Wittenberg, the birthplace of the Reformation, a delightful university town where Luther spent much of his later life, and where his seminal 95 Theses were crafted.

It was here, living at The Black Cloister—named for the dark robes of the monks—that Luther's theological insights sharpened. A visit to the Castle Church is sure to send a shiver down your spine as you stand in the place where, on October 31, 1517, he posted his revolutionary theses. Don't miss the nearby City Church of St. Mary, where you can envision the scene from 1521 when the first Protestant Christmas service took place.

Discover more about the Reformation's architect at The Luther House, a museum inside the former monastery and a UNESCO World Heritage Site dedicated to his life and legacy. Inside, you'll find his Bible, pulpit, and monk's robe, along with famous portraits created by Lucas Cranach the Elder, a renowned artist from Wittenberg.

Cranach, whose Renaissance artworks portrayed both nobility and religious figures, maintained a studio in Wittenberg, where you can view his version of the Ten Commandments. To explore more of his masterpieces, venture to Gotha, where the Ducal Museum showcases Cranach’s portraits of Luther alongside other notable sites, including the Baroque Friedenstein Castle and the Gothic Augustinian Monastery and church.

From Wittenberg, head southwest to the quaint mining town of Eisleben, nestled near the Harz Mountains, where Luther was born in 1483. He moved at a young age to nearby Mansfeld, known as the “Gateway to the Harz,” which is also worth a visit for its lush highlands featuring hiking trails and breathtaking views. Additionally, the locals have transformed Luther’s family home into a museum and celebrate his first day of school every year on the first Saturday after Easter, one of many festivities honoring the Father of the Reformation.

Luther frequently returned to Eisleben, where he eventually passed away. Today, the city known as Lutherstadt (which translates to “Luther City”) features UNESCO-recognized cultural sites, including his Birthplace and Death House, providing a wonderful insight into Luther’s life and impact. Be sure to visit Dessau-Wörlitz, nestled within the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve, to explore yet another UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site—the Garden Kingdom. Here, you can appreciate the influence of Enlightenment-era landscape architecture.

The Saale-Unstrut wine region offers a delightful pause as you explore LutherLand. Take a scenic drive through the vineyards along the terraced hillsides shaped by the Saale and Unstrut rivers, located just south of Eisleben, before heading to Erfurt. Consider extending your stay overnight to indulge in one of the 70 vintages produced by local winemakers in the area.

The life of a monk

In his youth, Luther finished his university education in Erfurt, a medieval town that was a key stop on the Via Regia during the Roman Empire. Following a life-changing moment during a lightning storm, he joined the Augustinian Monastery, where you can now take a guided tour, explore the modest rooms he inhabited, and admire the vibrant rose windows in the adjoining church.

After being ordained in the Erfurt Cathedral a few years later, Luther's influence remains palpable as you explore this majestic cathedral. During the summer, the Cathedral Steps Festival features open-air dramas or operas set against the stunning backdrop of Gothic architecture.

Continue your journey to the nearby town of Weimar, bustling with castles and gardens, and renowned for its Bauhaus architectural movement. As an early supporter of the Reformation, Weimar was a favored destination for Luther, and you can trace his footsteps throughout this city, which boasts several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Among the 11 sites in UNESCO’s “Classical Weimar” collection, the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul honors the Father of the Reformation, who frequently delivered sermons there. It features a magnificent triptych created by Cranach the Younger, completed after his father’s passing. Inside the UNESCO-listed Anna Amalia Library, once an opulent Renaissance castle, you can discover more works by Cranach the Younger. An ongoing exhibition titled Cranach’s torrent of images showcases numerous pieces by the younger artist alongside the Luther Bible.

Recognized as the birthplace of the modern German language

While Weimar played a crucial role in Luther’s journey, it was in a town west of Erfurt where the founder of Protestantism left his most significant legacy. After facing heresy charges, the excommunicated monk found sanctuary in the majestic Wartburg Castle, located just outside Eisenach.

In a sparse cell within the castle, he dedicated his days to translating the New Testament from Greek into German, a pivotal act that would reshape both the German language and the Christian faith. Today, visitors can view a replica of the room where he lived and learn about the harsh conditions he faced. During the summer months, Wagner’s Tannhäuser is performed in the very setting that inspired the celebrated opera.

Eisenach honors its rich history with the charming timber-framed Luther House museum and the Bach House, dedicated to the classical composer who spent half of his life in Thuringia, two centuries after Luther's death. Nearby in Arnstadt, where Bach began his career as an organist and where you can visit Bach’s Wedding church, a new 31-mile cycling path allows you to explore the stunning natural landscape while learning about this region’s other musical prodigy. Each April, the Thuringia Bach Weeks celebrate Bach, who set Luther’s words to music and whose compositions were often inspired by the Reformation.

Best Time to Visit

Even after more than 500 years since Martin Luther first shared his reformative ideas on a church bulletin board, you can deeply engage with his legacy in the region where he lived and worked. With exciting anniversary celebrations planned for 2024 and 2025, now is the perfect moment to plan a trip to LutherLand and explore the Reformation and the spirit of its leader firsthand.

The Advent season offers a particularly magical opportunity to experience LutherLand and Germany. The Weihnachtsland am Rennsteig is renowned as the birthplace of the original bauble, or glass ornaments, which have become synonymous with Christmas. Don’t miss Germany’s famous Christmas markets in Erfurt, Weimar, and Wittenberg, along with the historic market at Wartburg Castle, the Festival of Light in Magdeburg, and the enchanting Advent lights at Erfurt’s Augustinian Monastery.

Luther’s influence can be felt across many places—including the charming villages of Quedlinburg and Schmalkalden, celebrated for their timber-framed architecture—where his enduring legacy continues to inspire. Coupled with breathtaking natural scenery and rich cultural experiences, a journey to LutherLand is both enlightening and refreshing.