Looming impressively over the town of Eisenach, Wartburg was the first German castle to achieve UNESCO World Heritage status. Dating back to the 11th century, it offers art and architecture that span 1,000 years of German history.
t The hilltop castle of Wartburg, surrounded by forest
Experience Thuringia
n The buildings of Wartburg, enclosed within wide stone walls
This mighty fortress was probably founded by Ludwig the Jumper, and was reputedly the setting for a singing contest immortalized by Wagner in his opera Tannhäuser. Between 1211 and 1228 the castle was home to St Elisabeth of Thuringia, and from 4 May 1521 until March 1522 Martin Luther found refuge here while he translated the New Testament into German. Major reconstruction in the 19th century gave the castle its old-time romantic character, with areas like the Romanesque 12th-century great hall, in which a series of concerts is held every summer. The castle is also home to an extensive art collection – created on the recommendation of Goethe nearly 200 years ago – which includes sculptures by Tilman Riemenschneider, paintings by Lucas Cranach the Elder and assorted Renaissance artworks.
Lutherhaus Eisenach
One of the oldest (and most charming) half-timbered houses in Thuringia, Lutherhaus Eisenach is the house Luther is said to have lived in between 1498 to 1501. Alongside the permanent multimedia exhibition, “Luther and the Bible”, visitors can find examples of medieval art, paintings by Cranach and more.
Did You Know?
Many historians argue that Martin Luther’s nailing of his Theses to a church door is simply a legend.