Lutherweg – Tracing Martin Luther’s Footsteps

Categories: Sightseeing, Cultural and History

Martin Luther

[ source: Wikipedia]

Martin Luther, the great theologian and father of the Protestant Reformation, is one of the most admired Germans of all times. When he published his Ninety—Five Theses in October of 1517, he sparked the Reformation and changed the Holy Roman Empire forever. His translation of the Bible from Latin into German, the language the common man could actually understand, did not only change many peoples’ views on the Christian faith, but contributed tremendously to shaping the German culture. Still today people from all countries and religions are interested in Marin Luther and come to Saxony-Anhalt, where he spent nearly all his life, to find out more about him and trace his footsteps. The easiest and most efficient way to do this, is to follow the so—called Lutherweg.

The Lutherweg is an about 250 miles long trail, which was inaugurated in March of 2008. It is a clearly signposted cycling and hiking trail and leads through most of the towns and places that were important for Luther’s life. Following this trail is a great way not only to learn more about Martin Luther but also to explore the beautiful landscapes of Saxony-Anhalt in the East of Germany. Because Lutherans don’t actually believe in pilgrimage, the Lutherweg isn’t an official pilgrimage trail. However, spending a couple of days walking or cycling in the countryside and visiting churches and memorial places, gives you a good opportunity to reflect and find your inner peace.

From the town of Wittenberg (Wittenberg vacation rentals | Wittenberg travel guide) you can either take the route to the North along Dessau (Dessau vacation rentals | Dessau travel guide) and Bernburg (Bernburg vacation rentals | Bernburg travel guide) or to the South along Bad Düben (Bad Düben vacation rentals | Bad Düben travel guide) and Halle. Both trails end in Eisleben (Eisleben vacation rentals | Eisleben travel guide) and then it goes on a short way to Mansfeld (Mansfeld vacation rentals | Mansfeld travel guide). So, the trail is basically one big circle, you can get on or leave in every town. It is also connected to other pilgrimage trails, like the Way of St. James, which leads through Eisleben.

After finishing his studies at the university of Erfurt (Erfurt vacation rentals | Erfurt travel guide) and ordination to priesthood in 1507, Martin Luther began teaching at the University of Wittenberg a year later. This town is home to All Saints’ Church, to whose door he — according to legend — has nailed his Ninety—Five Theses on the 31st of October in 1517. Furthermore, he is buried beneath the pulpit in the Castle Church of Wittenberg. Eisleben is the town where he was born on the 10th of November 1483 and died of an apoplectic stroke 62 years later. Shortly after Martin Luther’s birth, the family moved to Mansfeld, where the boy was sent to Latin school from an early age on. In the many other towns along the route you will come past various churches, castles and places that were important to Martin Luther, and you can further deepen your knowledge about him by visiting several exhibitions along the way.

For more information about the Lutherweg and to plan your trip, please visit the official web site: http://www.lutherweg.de.

[ source: wikipedia.org ]

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About this Article

This travel guide has been written by Kathrin Wagner.

She grew up in a small town in Bavaria and then studied Media studies, Literature and History in Erlangen and Munich. As a student she already spent half a year in London and moved back there after graduation in 2006. She is still living in London, where she works in publishing.

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