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WALKING & CYCLING
IN LUTHER COUNTY
The Luther Route and Wittenberg
Luther Country refers to the region in eastern Germany whether the father
of the Christian Reformation, Martin Luther was born and spent most of
his life in the states of Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt. This part of Germany
is less traveled and well worth discovering, a rich beautiful land of
natural woodlands and a surprising bargain with prices in the former
East Germany yet to catch up with more familiar areas of the west. Autumn
is the ideal time to explore Luther Country. The days are still warm,
leaves are changing, and roadside stands are piled high with apples and
other orchard fruits. Take the train and then go on foot or by a bicycle
to discover the untouched towns and villages, meet the locals, and enjoy
the lovely countryside. The German railway conveniently connects these
areas and with a rail pass you can jump about as you please, especially
if you want to do the full Luther tour which would take you to Worms
(see Luther at Worms) and Wartburg Castle (Wartburg
and Luther’s
Inkwell) where Luther did battle with the devil while in hiding
translating his
bible,
and Dresdens Restored Our Lady Chuch (see Dresden's Frauenkirch).
The Luther Route
This
circular trail joins two towns that are significant in the history
of the German Reformation. One is Lutherstadt Eisleben,
where Martin
Luther, the Great Reformer, was born and where he died. The other is
Lutherstadt Wittenberg, regarded as the heart of the Reformation, where
Luther nailed his reforms to the church doors. Both are situated between
Berlin and Leipzig in the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, which celebrates
the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. Marked with a rather
medieval style green “L” signage, the 250-mile-long Luther
Route links 40 important towns, villages and sites, such as Halle (Saale),
Mansfeld Lutherstadt, Dessau, and Woerlitz. There are also well-signposted
local walks.
Walking in Wittenberg
In Lutherstadt Wittenberg, for example, the Luther Path not only highlights
seven important sites, but doubles as a prayer or meditation trail. Start
with the Castle Church, where Luther nailed his 95 Theses demands for
reform to the door (see Luther’s
Wittenberg). The trail includes
the Fountain in the Cranach Courtyard, where Lucas Cranach, the great
medieval painter worked. It continues past the grand entrance to the
Town Hall. Nearby, at the Town Church is a memorial to the Jews. You
also visit the Leucorea, the university where, in 1514, Luther studied
the Bible, finding "understanding, insight, and truth."
Most romantic is the Luther House, where he and his wife Katharina von
Bora, a former nun, spent much of their married life. The walk takes
about an hour, ending at the Luther Oak, where Luther burned the writings
of the Pope in 1520. A pamphlet in English, with short Biblical texts,
as well as any further information about Martin Luther, Katharina von
Bora and other important figures of the time and of course tickets for
all guided tours are available at the Tourist Office directly opposite
the famous door at the castle church. For the budget minded there is a
youth hostel (Jugendherberge) of just a few steps from
the church.
Cycling
Around Luther's Eisleben
Lutherstadt Eisleben is the small town where Martin Luther was born
on 10 November 1483 - and where he died, on 18 February 1546. As
well as
visiting Luther's Birth House (Geburtshaus) and the visitor center,
important sites include the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul with
the fountain
where Luther was baptized, St. Andrew's Church where he preached his
last sermon), and a reconstruction of the Sterbehaus, the house where
he died. In Eisleben, you can rent a bicycle for about $6 a day and
wander out into the surrounding countryside. The Lake Trail (Seetour),
a 20-mile
loop round Suesser See lake, is nice and flat, with apricot orchards.
Stop for coffee in the pretty village of Seeburg, with a castle and
a terrace overlooking the water.
Or choose the 20-mile Castle Trail (Burgtour) that leads to Burg Bornstedt.
In this centuries-old castle, days gone by are recreated by "knights
and ladies," dressed up in medieval armor, helmets and shields. © Bargain
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These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission. Paul Wade is a UK based writer specializing in Germany
See Also:
CITY NIGHT LINE - GERMAN SLEEPER TRAIN
DR GRAMS GERMAN ANCESTRY TOURS
BERLINER DOM CATHEDRAL & HOHENZOLLERN CRYPT
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