A tour of Martin Luther’s medieval Germany

On a late October day in 1517, a univer­sity professor posted a notice on a church door in Wittenberg that changed the world. Next year, Germany will celebrate the 500th anniversary of this act, and probably the most influential bulletin board notice in history.

Martin Luther’s nailing of the 95 Theses on that door was meant to start debate, not a revolution. But his act ignited a firestorm that eventually led to the Protestant Reformation – and, half a millennia later, the world is still feeling the aftershocks.

The son of a miner, Luther entered holy orders as a young man and soon “out-monked” even his most zealous colleagues. His disagreements with the Roman Catholic Church sprang from piety, not rebellion. His primary complaint was the practice of selling papal indulgences that were said to release souls from purga­tory, but he was also fiercely critical of immor­al­ity and corruption within the church hierarchy. While his 95 Theses were merely a list of hoped-for reforms, Luther ended up founding the Protestant branch of Christianity and gave his name to one of the denominations within it, the Lutheran Church.

A journey through the sites connected to the famous theologian includes some of Germany’s most charming medieval cities and towns. The months leading up to the anniversary date of his rebellious act, October 31, 2017, will be full of special events and observances.

Major Luther landmarks include Eisleben, the site of his birth and death, the exact locations of which are marked by authentically reconstructed houses, both Unesco World Heritage sites, and within which are exhibitions based on his life. Erfurt is a beautifully preserved city where visitors can tour the Augustinian Monas­tery in which Luther studied to be a monk.