MARTIN LUTHER IN EISENACH

Martin Luther had many connections to the town of Eisenach. He had a number of family ties and spent five formative periods of his life there. From 1498 to 1501 he attended St. George’s school. Luther was a hardworking, talented and modest boy who was popular with both teachers and students. His musical talents enabled him to critically assess compositions and even to compose himself. Martin Luther always had fond memories of his school days and referred to Eisenach as “... my dear town”. On his journey to and from the imperial parliament in Worms Luther preached at St George’s Church in 1521. While he was in protective custody he translated the New Testament under the guise of Junker Jörg at Wartburg castle. On his journey to the religious rallies in Marburg Luther stopped off in Eisenach in 1529, and in 1540 he spent 3 weeks as the guest of Superintendent Justus Menius in his house at Pfarrberg. The Luther memorials have been lovingly preserved. Luther’s house, one of the oldest half-timbered houses in Eisenach, hides a modern exhibition behind its venerable walls. New ideas, a contemporary design and fascinating technology mean that we can experience Luther in our time and enable us to hold an inner dialogue with the great reformer. The Luther rooms remind us of his school days in Eisenach and the first floor takes you on a vivid journey through time and the history of this Protestant vicarage. The Luther memorial at Karlsplatz shows a larger than life model of Martin Luther, the reformer, with the Bible in his hands. The plinth is decorated with scenes of his time in Eisenach. St. George’s Church can be visited all year round. Inside the church valuable Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque works of art are on show. The Ludowing landgraviate stones are kept in the church’s chancel. After taking a refreshing walk through the town park to the student fraternity me-morial you can enjoy a wonderful view of Wartburg castle. The stone portrait of Luther is waiting to greet you again at the dome on top of the memorial.

Luther’s House in Eisenach View of the Luther Room in Luther’s House Exhibition in Luther’s House