Eisenach: Wartburg, Luther and Discoveries in the City

The Wartburg and Luther’s History

Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German at the Wartburg. During guided tours of the medieval palace, visitors discover a thousand years of Wartburg history. The castle is a destination in its own right for anyone interested in historic spaces and the history of the Reformation. In the city, the Luther House Eisenach presents Martin Luther in three roles: as a schoolboy, a reformer and a Bible translator. A visit there offers a different perspective from the history of the Wartburg and complements it with a closer look at Luther himself.

Eisenach’s churches also tell stories of famous names and works of art. St George’s Church is Johann Sebastian Bach’s baptismal church. The Preachers’ Church houses a permanent exhibition of medieval sacred wood sculptures. If you are interested in church art, it offers a distinctive way to explore the city’s history. Since 1897, the Reuter-Wagner Villa has housed the largest Wagner collection outside Bayreuth, broadening the city’s cultural offerings with a focus on Richard Wagner.

Cityscapes and Special Collections

A guided city tour takes you through the historic old town to several notable landmarks: Frauenplan Square and the Bach House, St Nicholas’ Church and the Nikolai Gate, then the Market Square with St George’s Church, the City Palace and the Town Hall, followed by the Luther House. This route brings together different buildings and themes in a tour of the city. For independent exploration, Eisenach’s southern district also offers a distinctive perspective on architecture: this large villa district is characterised by Art Nouveau ornamentation, wrought-iron garden gates and a variety of bay windows.

On Johannisplatz, the Narrow House stands out for its dimensions: it is 2.05 metres wide and is probably Germany’s narrowest half-timbered house. A very different collection focuses on automotive history. The automobile welt eisenach exhibition presents the history of car manufacturing in Eisenach, from the Wartburg motor car to Opel. The programme at the Eisenach State Theatre ranges from classical dramas, symphonies and concerts to ballet, light-hearted entertainment and political humour.

Between the City and Nature

If you would also like to explore Eisenach actively, there are a variety of cycling experiences to choose from. The 130-kilometre Herkules-Wartburg Cycle Route reaches the Wartburg city of Eisenach via Hörschel. The short “Around the Wartburg” mountain bike tour circles the Wartburg, passing viewpoints before returning to Mariental on a trail. The tours differ in character: one is a long cycling route to Eisenach, the other a short loop that includes a trail section. The Dragon Gorge offers a contrasting landscape. Its location at the southern end of Eisenach and its status as a geological natural monument make it a distinctive nature experience on your trip.

There is also a specific option for shared activities: the Alte Brauerei indoor climbing park offers climbing for families in Eisenach. Together with the cultural attractions, it gives you the chance to include a range of interests in your trip without limiting your stay to a single theme.

Choosing the Right Holiday Apartment in Eisenach

If the Wartburg, Luther House, churches and city tour are the main focus of your stay, a holiday apartment in Eisenach could be a suitable base for exploring the city. If you would rather devote more time to cycling or the Dragon Gorge, take these experiences into account when choosing where to stay. Your choice will therefore depend above all on which of Eisenach’s many sides you would like to discover: historic collections and buildings, architecture in the southern district, theatre and exhibitions, or outdoor activities.

You can also discover Stregda as part of this destination. Other destinations to explore include Weimarer Land, Saale-Orla, Ilm-Kreis, Greiz, Kyffhäuserkreis, Nordhausen and Saale-Holzland.

For the overview of destinations in the region: Thuringia.