The castles of Martin Luther
8 châteaux listed
8 castles linked to Martin Luther, from Hesse to the Elbe, with admission prices and opening seasons.
In 1521 and 1522 Martin Luther translated the New Testament at Wartburg Castle above Eisenach. The room where he worked is part of the tour, and the castle has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
In Wittenberg, on the site of the Saxon electors’ residence, the castle church holds the Theses Door and the tombs of Luther and Melanchthon. In 1544 Luther himself consecrated the chapel of Hartenfels Castle at Torgau.
In 1530 Elector John the Steadfast left for the Diet of Augsburg, but the journey was too dangerous for Luther, who was under the imperial ban and excommunicated. He stayed at the Veste Coburg from April to October, wrote a great deal there and sent messengers to his friends almost every day. The rooms where he lived are part of the visit.
In 1529 Marburg Castle hosted the colloquy between Luther and Zwingli. Other places keep smaller traces: his parents lived in Mansfeld, where he went to school; he preached in the chapel of Schloss Wespenstein; and he spent a night at Grimma Castle in 1539 on his way back from the Leipzig fair.
The places, one by one
From the best known to the most discreet. Prices are for one adult; the season comes from the opening periods each place publishes.
Wartburg
Eisenach, Thüringen
Where Luther translated the New Testament in 1521 and 1522; his room can be visited.
Season not published
Schloss Wittenberg (Wittenberg Castle)
Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Sachsen-Anhalt
The castle church holds the Theses Door and the tombs of Luther and Melanchthon.
Adult admission: €3Season not published
Veste Coburg
Coburg, Bayern
He lived here from April to October 1530, during the Diet of Augsburg; his rooms can be visited.
Adult admission: €11Season not published
Hours to be confirmed
Castle Hartenfels Torgau
Torgau, Sachsen
Its chapel was consecrated by Luther himself in 1544.
Adult admission: €6Open May to May
Marburg Castle
Marburg, Hessen
Scene of the Marburg Colloquy between Luther and Zwingli in 1529.
Season not published
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Mansfeld Castle
Mansfeld, Sachsen-Anhalt
His parents lived in Mansfeld, where he went to school.
Adult admission: €1Open May to May
Schloss Wespenstein (Wespenstein Castle)
Gräfenthal, Thüringen
Luther preached in the chapel, since restored.
Season not published
Hours to be confirmed
Schloss Grimma (Grimma Castle)
Grimma, Sachsen
Luther stayed the night in 1539 on his way back from the Leipzig fair.
Season not published
The map
The 8 places on this page. Tap a point to open its page.
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The route
From west to east: Marburg in Hesse, Wartburg in Thuringia, the Veste Coburg further south-east in Bavaria, Wespenstein, back in Thuringia, Mansfeld in Saxony-Anhalt, then Grimma, Torgau and Wittenberg, the last two close together on the Elbe. Allow three to four days.
| Stop | From the previous stop |
|---|---|
| 1.Marburg Castle · Marburg | |
| 2.Wartburg · Eisenach | 109 km |
| 3.Veste Coburg · Coburg | 91 km |
| 4.Schloss Wespenstein (Wespenstein Castle) · Gräfenthal | 37 km |
| 5.Mansfeld Castle · Mansfeld | 119 km |
| 6.Schloss Grimma (Grimma Castle) · Grimma | 97 km |
| 7.Castle Hartenfels Torgau · Torgau | 41 km |
| 8.Schloss Wittenberg (Wittenberg Castle) · Lutherstadt Wittenberg | 43 km |
537 km in a straight line overall
Frequently asked questions
- Martin Luther castles: which ones are open all year?
- None is listed as open all year in the opening periods we have collected. Check each page before you go.
- Martin Luther castles: how much is admission?
- Across the 4 places whose prices we know, adult admission ranges from €1 to €11.