Martin Luther in Erfurt
Luther was a monk in the Augustinerkloster (Augustinian Monastery) in Erfurt (photo: ErfurtWeb).
Erfurt, Germany, is a major stop along the Luther Trail followed by thousands of Protestant "pilgrims" around eastern Germany. Erfurt was the young Luther's home from 1501 to 1511, important years in the reformer's spiritual development.
Luther began study at the University of Erfurt in May 1501. He earned a Baccalaureate degree in liberal arts on September 29, 1502 and a Master's degree in January 1505. On May 19, 1505, Luther began law school in Erfurt in accordance with his parents' wishes. Unfortunately, much of the original university was destroyed by World War II air raids and there is not much to visit.
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But on July 2, 1505, Luther was returning to Erfurt from his parent's home when he was caught in a sudden lightening storm. Terrified, Luther cried out, "St. Anne, help me, and I'll become a monk!" (St. Anne is the patron saint of miners, the elder Luther's profession.) The place where he sheltered during the storm is marked by a Luthersteine (Luther Stone).
True to his word, and against his parents wishes, Luther entered Erfurt's Augustinian monastery on July 17, 1505. Today, visitors to the monastery can view a permanent Luther exhibition and a reconstruction of Brother Martin's monastic cell.
Luther's life at the monastery was characterized by strict living and much spiritual turmoil. Luther prayed, attended mass, went to confession many times per day and nearly killed himself with fasting and other austerities, but no matter what he did he always felt himself to be a sinner condemned by an angry God.
In 1507, Luther's monastic superior ordered him to begin studying theology at the University of Erfurt to get the monk's mind off his troubles. Around the same time (April 3, 1507), Luther was ordained a priest in Erfurt's cathedral, Mariensdom. His disapproving parents came to see Luther's first celebration of the mass, but Luther was so fearful at handling the actual body and blood of Christ that he could hardly get through it.
Michaelskirche (St. Michael's Church) in Erfurt was the university church in Luther's time, and he preached several sermons there.
In 1510, Luther's monastery sent him on an errand to Rome, where he became further disillusioned with Catholicism's system of merit. In April 1511, Luther returned to Erfurt. Shortly thereafter he was transferred to the new Augustinian monastery in Wittenburg, where six years later he would spark the Protestant Reformation with his 95 Theses.
At the Haus zum Schwarzen Horn (Black Horn House), once a printing workshop, Luther's first hymnal was published, as were many of his religious pamphlets. It's at 48 Michaelisstraβe.
A large Luther Monument stands on the southside the Merchants’ Church on Anger Square. It was erected on October 31, 1889, and proclaims that "though he is dead, he lives."
On November 10, you can join the city of Erfurt for a festive celebration of St. Martin's Festival. In Erfurt, it honors not one but two great Martins: St. Martin of Tours (the city's patron saint) and Martin Luther.
- Timeline, Life, and Works of Martin Luther - ReligionFacts
- Routes to Luther: Erfurt
