Experience the sites of the Reformation up close: You simply have to visit the Luther memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg. Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon left their mark here. Here you can visit the castle church, on whose portal Luther is said to have posted his 95 theses against the abuse of the sale of indulgences on October 31, 1517. Writings that were to change the world were written here.
Freedom of Faith
No other state is as closely associated with the Reformation and the life and work of Martin Luther as Saxony-Anhalt. The Luther memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg form a joint World Heritage Site.
Born in the heart of today's Saxony-Anhalt, the Lutherstadt Eisleben, Martin Luther spent the first years of his life in the county of Mansfeld. The house where he was born and the associated museum bring the period to life with well over 250 exciting exhibits - and show the starting conditions for the eventful life of the later reformer. Above all, however, the exhibition makes it clear how close the ties were between him, his parents and the region.
During his life, Luther often visited the county of Mansfeld to mediate between the rulers. It so happened that the town where he was born also became the place where he died. The circle was completed when he presumably suffered a heart attack on the way to Eisleben. He died a few days later as a result. His death house and the adjoining museum tell of the cult of the dead at that time - and also today. Visitors learn how Luther dealt with dying and death as a mourner, comforter and theologian. The museum also holds changing special exhibitions. Until the end of 2022, the hands-on exhibition "Raus mit der Sprache!" invites visitors to discover our language in a playful and interactive way.
However, Martin Luther's most important place of work is and remains the Luther House in Lutherstadt Wittenberg. Luther lived here with his own family for over 35 years - it was here that he developed his theses, which were to change the world to this day. The exhibition in the former Augustinian monastery, the highlight of which is the authentic Luther Room, attracts people interested in the history of the Reformation from near and far. They get to know Martin Luther not only as a great reformer and scholar, but also as a husband and family man. Since August 2021, the neighboring Augusteum has also been home to the special exhibition "Plague. A plague changes the world" has been on display at the Augusteum.
Luther had many companions, and one of them lived in his immediate neighborhood: Philipp Melanchthon. The Melanchthon House, one of the most beautiful town houses in Wittenberg, is now a museum. Visitors can learn all about the reformer and his family in an authentic setting. A special highlight behind the residential building is Melanchthon's herb garden, which has been reconstructed according to historical models and is now a wonderful place to linger.
Philipp Melanchthon held his inaugural lecture in the castle church, which was built from 1489 and consecrated in 1503 . According to tradition, Martin Luther posted the 95 theses against the practice of indulgences in the church on the main portal of the castle church, thereby initiating the Reformation. The tombs of Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon can still be found in the church today. Also worth seeing are the bronze epitaphs of Frederick the Wise and his brother John the Steadfast from the Vischer workshop in Nuremberg. Visitors can explore this historic site on their own or with an expert guide.
Martin Luther preached in the town church of St. Mary and Johannes Bugenhagen was the first Protestant town pastor. This is where the tradition of Protestant church services in German, with congregational singing and the communion of the Lord's Supper in both forms (bread and wine) began. The town church in Wittenberg is therefore also known as the mother church of the Reformation. It is also a treasure trove of art with numerous works from the workshop of Lucas Cranach the Elder and Lucas Cranach the Younger.
"Katharina von Bora was an incredibly clever, patient and hard-working woman"
Katja Köhler
To commemorate the global historical dimension of the Reformation, UNESCO recognized the Luther memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg as cultural heritage of humanity in 1996.
Visitor Information
Luther's Birthplace,
Lutherstraße 15,
06295 Lutherstadt Eisleben
Luther’s Death House
Andreaskirchplatz 7
06295 Lutherstadt Eisleben
Luther House/Augusteum,
Collegienstraße 54,
06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Melanchthon
House, Collegienstraße 60,
06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Castle Church, Wittenberg
Schlossplatz 1
06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg
City Church
Kirchsplatz 1, South Entrance
06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Luther's Birthplace in Eisleben
Tue – Sun: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed Dec. 24 – 26 and Dec. 31 – Jan. 1
Luther’s Death House, Eisleben
Tue – Sun: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 26:
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Dec. 31:
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Closed on Dec. 24, Dec. 25, and Jan. 1
Augusteum Wittenberg
Mon – Sun: 10:00 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.
Dec. 26:
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 31:
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Closed on Dec. 24, Dec. 25, and Jan. 1
Luther House Wittenberg
Due to renovation work, the Luther House will be closed until 2027.
Melanchthon House Wittenberg
Tue – Sun: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Closed Dec. 24 – 26 and Dec. 31 – Jan. 1
Castle Church, Wittenberg
November – Good Friday:
Mon – Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday/Holidays: 11:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Holy Saturday – October:
Mon – Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday/Holidays: 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wittenberg City Church
April – October:
Mon – Sat: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sun: 12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
November – December:
Mon – Sat: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sun: 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
January – February:
Mon – Thu: Closed
Fri: 12:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sat: 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sun: 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Luther's Birthplace in Eisleben
Single ticket: €5
Reduced single ticket: €2.50
Group ticket (10 or more people): €4 per person
Family ticket: €10
Combo ticket for Birth and Death Houses: €8 "Mansfelder
Land" combo ticket (Luther’s Birthplace, Death House, and Parents’ House): €10
Family Combo Ticket “Mansfelder Land” (Luther’s Birthplace, Death House, and Parents’ House): €25
Luther’s Death House in Eisleben
Single ticket: €5 Reduced
single ticket: €2.50
Group ticket (10 or more people): €4 per person
Family ticket: €10
Combo ticket for Death and Birth Houses: €8 “Mansfelder
Land” combined ticket (birthplace, deathplace, and parents’ home): €10 “Mansfelder
Land” family combined ticket (birthplace, deathplace, and parents’ home): €25
Melanchthon House, Wittenberg
Single ticket: €5
Single ticket (reduced): €2.50
Group ticket (10 or more people): €4 per person
Family ticket: €10
Combo ticket (Melanchthon House + Literally Luther): €8
Family combo ticket (Melanchthon House + Literally Luther): €20
Castle Church Wittenberg
Conservation fee: €3.00 / reduced: €1.00
Groups (11 or more people): €2.50 per person.
Children/students under 18 free. Combo
ticket: Castle Church + City Church + Christian Art Exhibition: €7.50 / reduced: €4.00.
Combo ticket: Castle Church incl. Christian Art Exhibition: €5.00 / reduced €3.00.
Combo ticket: Castle Church and City Church: €5.00 / reduced €2.00
Tower climb: €3.00 per person / reduced €2.00 / Children under 3 years free
Wittenberg City Church
Conservation fee: €3.00 / reduced: €1.00
Combined ticket with the Castle Church: €5.00 / reduced: €2.00
If you have any questions or comments regarding your visit to the museum, please contact our service office:
Phone: 03491 42 03 171
Email:
service@martinluther.de www.luthermuseen.de
Visitor Center Schlosskirche
Schlossplatz 1
06886 Lutherstadt Wittenberg
Phone: 03491 50 69 160
Email: info@schlosskirche-wittenberg.de
City Church
City Church Office
Phone: 03491 40 44 15
Email: pohl@kirche-wittenberg.de
www.stadtkirchengemeinde-wittenberg.de