Footsteps of Lutheran Heritage (6 days)Explore the cultural and Christian history of Germany, focusing on the life and work of Martin Luther. |
Martin Luther (1483 - 1546) was a famous Christian theologian and Augustinian monk whose teachings inspired the Protestant Reformation and deeply influenced the doctrines of Protestant and other Christian traditions. He was the first person to translate and publish the Bible in the commonly-spoken dialect of the German people.
Day 1 - Berlin
Arriving at Berlin airport. Half-day city tour of Berlin.
East Berlin: Visit the Unter den Linden boulevard with some of the most interesting historic buildings in Berlin such as the Zeughaus, the National Opera, the Humboldt University and of course, the Brandenburg Gate. Friedrichstrasse has a mixture of modern buildings and historic facades. The Gendarmenmarkt with its two cathedrals and the concert building is one of the most picturesque places in the city.
West Berlin: Visit the Kurfürstendamm, a boulevard with plenty of shops and cafés, and The Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche (Memorial Church) which was destroyed during the Second World War and only partly reconstructed afterwards.
Check into your hotel, rest of the day time at leisure. Overnight in a centrally located hotel in Berlin.
Day 2 - Wittenberg
After breakfast you will leave for Wittenberg which is centrally situated on the banks of the River Elbe (approx 60 miles from Berlin). Wittenberg is also called Luther's town. He taught philosophy at the University and was the town preacher. The town was the ’cradle’ of the Reformation and it was here, that Luther pinned up his famous 95 Articles condemning the abuses practiced by the Church on the door of the Castle Church.
The church was burned down in 1760 and rebuilt in the Baroque style. The new church contains the text, which was cast in bronze in 1855. You will visit Luther's tomb in this church. Continue to visit the Markt with the late Gothic town hall and the statue of Luther and his friend and disciple Melanchton. Visit the Stadkirche and admire the Reformation Altarpiece where Luther preached.
After lunch on your own you will visit Luther's House, occupied by Luther form 1524 onward. The house faces the courtyard of the Collegium Augusteum, the town’s old university. See his well preserved living room, known as the ‘Lutherstube’
Next visit is the Reformation Museum, see the collection of antique Bibles, manuscripts and original editions of Luther’s works.
If time is permitting visit the Melanchthon-House. He was more tolerant, trying to reconcile the different factions of the Reformation. Overnight in Wittenberg.
Day 3 - Eisleben - Erfurt
This morning you will visit Eisleben which is the focal point of the Mansfelder Land. First documented in the year 994, the town already enjoyed the right to hold a market, munt its own coinages and impose tolls.
Learn about Luthers’life in Eisleben. Luther was born and baptized in the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul and visit the house were he
found his last resting-place. Old documents reveal how happy he felt in this town.
After lunch on your own you will leave for Erfurt, the spiritual home of Luther, he studied here from 1501 –1505.
Enjoy the highlight of the day and visit to the restored Augustinian Monastery, which was built in 1277 and where Martin Luther lived and worked as a monk in the early 1500’s. See the permanent exhibition that depicts the history of the creation of the bible and the history of the Augustinian Monastery in a contemporary fashion, the cloisters place of meditation and Luther cell.
Dinner at a local restaurant if possible at the Lutherkeller to taste a set meal based on authentic recipes. Overnight in Erfurt.
Day 4 - Erfurt
In the morning you will attend a lecture about Luther on his life and teaching.
After the lecture you will have time to discover the center on your own. See the Dome, the original Romanesque basilica built in 1154 on a hill occupied by the citadel, or the Severy-Kirche, the Fishmarkt with the neo-Gothic Rathaus with its impressive frescoes.
Dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5 - Weimar - Eisenach - Erfurt
After breakfast enjoy an excursion to Weimar where you visit Goethe's House and the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, where Luther was christened and the famous Cranach Triptych can be seen representing the Crucifixion surrounded by scenes from the Old and New Testament.
Continue to Eisenach where a guide will show you the St. George's Parish Church where Luther preached on May 2 1521, despite the fact that he was officially banned from the Holy Roman Empire. Also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Wartburg Castle. Traditionally the castle is so closely linked with the name of Luther that it is occasionally referred to as “Lutherburg”. Less than a generation after the death of the reformer, the first pilgrims set off on a pilgrimage to Eisenach and up to the Castle to see Luthers room and to remember him in respectful prayer.
After the visit transfer back to Erfurt. Overnight in Erfurt.
Day 6 - Berlin
After breakfast tour back to Berlin. Departure.
Included:
- 5 overnight stays at specially selected first class and tourist superior hotels including tax, service charges and baggage handling (one piece per person). All rooms with private bath or shower and toilet.
- Transportation by modern airconditioned motorcoach with toilet.
- Professional English speaking guide throughout the tour.
- 5 x breakfast buffet
- Half-day city tour of Berlin
- Entrance fees (Luther´s House and Reformation Museum in Wittenberg, Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Eisleben and Weimar, Augustinian Monastery, lecture about Luther on his life and teaching in Erfurt)
Information:
All services are subject to availability at the time of booking.
Prices vary according to the length of stay, the desired category of the hotel, the size of the group and your choice of additional service.
Contact us today for more information and a quote.
Sources of Pictures/Editorial:
Berlin Brandenburg Gate CCBY lukelukeluke-at-flickr
Martin Luther CCBY moria-at-flickr
Wartburg Castle CCBY Martin Hey-at-flickr
Eisenach - Luther House CCBY Robert Scarth-at-flickr
Wittenberg - Luthers Door CCBY LivingOS-at-flickr
Highlights
- Berlin (City Tour, Pergamon Museum, Check Point Charlie)
- Wittenberg (Luther´s House, Reformation Museum, Castle Church with its "Theses Door")
- Eisleben (Church of St. Peter and St. Paul), Erfurt, Weimar, Eisenach, Wartburg Castle
