Lutherstadt Eisleben, which is over 1,000 years old, is nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Mansfeld region on the eastern edge of the Harz Mountains. As the town where Martin Luther was born and died, it holds a special place in German history. Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites here commemorate the life and work of the Reformer.
Among the most important sights, alongside the museums, are Luther’s birthplace and the house where he died, the churches of St Petri-Pauli, St Andreas and St Annen, and the Luther monument on the historic market square.
In Martin Luther’s birthplace, the exhibition vividly brings to life the world of his childhood whilst also offering insights into the history of the Mansfeld region. In St Peter and Paul’s Church, where he was baptised, there is now a baptismal font set into the floor – one of the few of its kind in Germany. St Andrew’s Church was the scene of important events in Luther’s life: it was here that he inducted two pastors into office, delivered his final sermons and, after his death, lay in state before being transported to Wittenberg. St Anne’s Church, with the adjoining former Augustinian hermitage, stands above the town as a miners’ church and is regarded as the first Lutheran church in the Mansfeld region. The Luther monument on the market square depicts the Reformer as a bronze sculpture holding a Bible and a papal bull of excommunication. The Museum of Luther’s Final Residence serves as a poignant reminder of his last days and his death in Eisleben.
In addition to the Luther sites, a visit to St Mary’s Abbey in Helfta on the Romanesque Route is also well worth it. The former Cistercian nunnery is described as the ‘crown of German nunneries’ due to its significant history and spiritual aura.
Further fascinating insights into the region’s history are provided by the remains of copper-slate mining, which shaped the Mansfeld region for almost 800 years and has left traces that are still visible today.
A particular highlight on the events calendar is the Eisleben Wiesenmarkt. Central Germany’s largest folk festival takes place every year on the third weekend in September and promises fun and entertainment for young and old alike.
