Luther’s cities, Wittenberg and Eisleben
The centre of the Reformation. They were declared World Heritage Sites because they are “of outstanding universal value bearing unique testimony to the Protestant Reformation, which was one of the most significant events in the religious and political history of the world”.
UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Luther Memorials in Wittenberg and Eisleben:
- Wittenberg: Luther’s house, Melanchthon’s house, local town church, the Schlosskirche (Castle Church)
- Eisleben: the houses of Luther’s birth and death
Wittenberg’s old town is a unique open-air museum. The stone memorials are lined up like pearls on a string.
Luther’s house was the site where the reformer did his most important work. Students came from all over Europe to hear Luther and Melanchthon lecture here. The “Lutherstube” (Luther room) was the setting for his “after-dinner” speeches. It is the focal point of the house, and most of it is still preserved in its original condition. Only a few steps away is the house of Luther’s fellow reformer, Melanchthon. The local town church where Luther preached was one of the main backdrops of the Reformation, while the door of the Schlosskirche (Castle Church) evokes the posting of the 95 Theses in 1517. This church is also the final resting place of Luther and Melanchthon. A stroll through Wittenberg’s old town is a compelling journey through the city’s great history.
Luther’s house is the largest museum relating to the history of the Reformation in the world, and it portrays in authentic detail how the preacher lived his everyday life. The highlights of the new permanent exhibition include Luther’s pulpit from the town church, a monk’s habit that Luther is said to have worn at the Imperial Diet in Worms, numerous paintings by Lucas Cranach the elder, the university lectern in the great auditorium, an indulgences chest of the period and, of course, Luther’s Bible and many priceless papers, manuscripts and pamphlets. “Here wisdom has built her house; here she has hewn out her seven pillars... From here came the call to the guests that they come. And they came from all lands, nations and peoples...” These are the words Giordano Bruno used to praise Wittenberg as early as the end of the 16th century.
Houses of Luther’s birth and death in Eisleben
“In 1483, I, Martin Luther, was born of my father, Johannes Luther, and my mother Margaretha...My fatherland was Eisleben”. The city of Eisleben is intimately connected to the life and works of Martin Luther. Luther’s birth house opened to the public in 1693 as the first memorial museum in Germany. Here you will find a permanent exhibition on the birth, childhood and youth of the reformer. A highlight is the “schöne Saal” (best room), authentically restored, with a silver swan as the symbol of Martin Luther and the Reformation. Luther was christened the day after his birth at the nearby Church of St. Petri-Pauli. He was named after St. Martin of Tours, whose feast day is was. The house where Luther died is located across from the Marktkirche (Market Church) St. Andreas, where a few days before his death he preached for the last time. It is now a memorial to the final days of the great reformer. The exhibitions document his works in the Mansfeld mining area, his Bible translation, his thoughts on death and dying and the last days of his life.
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