Lutherhalle (Luther Museum), Wittenberg 
The Lutherstube (Luther's Room) at the Luther Museum of Wittenberg.
Photo by Stephan Komp. Many more in our Wittenberg Photo Gallery.
Exterior of the Lutherhalle. Photo by Stephan Komp.
Katharinenportal and exterior niche. Photos by Stephan Komp.
The lecture room where Luther taught. Photo by Stephan Komp.
Stairs in the Lutherhalle and Luther's robe. Photos by Stephan Komp.
Painting of Martin Luther being introduced to Katherina von Bora.
The Commandments panel by Lucas Cranach. Photo by Stephan Komp.
Refectory. Photo by Stephan Komp.
The Lutherhalle is an important Luther museum in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany. The museum is located in the Augustinian monastery in which Luther lived, first as a monk and later as owner with his wife and family.
The Augustinian monastery was dissolved at the outset of the Reformation, and part was made into a residence hall for students and the rest was given to Luther as a family home.
Luther's monastery and home in Wittenberg was the site of several important events in the Reformer's life, not the least of which is his conversion from fearful monk to confident preacher of "justification by faith alone."
Just down the street is the Luther Oak that marks the spot where he burned a papal bull of excommunication in 1520.
Later, the family table in the Lutherhaus was the setting of the famous conversations Katharina and Martin Luther held with students, recorded in Table Talk. It was also from here that Martin and Katie Luther's wedding procession left for the nearby Parish Church of St. Mary (Stadtkirche St Marien).
Today, Martin Luther's house is well-preserved as a museum dedicated to the reformer and the Reformation. You can explore the Lutherstube (Luther's Room), a grand hall with a coffered wooden ceiling and Renaissance tiled oven, and the smallish lecture hall where Luther taught up to 400 students at a time.
As you enter, you pass through the ornate Katharinenportal (Katharina's Door), which was a birthday gift from Luther to his wife, a former nun, in 1540.
Throughout, Lutherhalle (Luther Museum) boasts the world's most important collection of objects related to the history of the German Reformation, including Luther's own desk, the pulpit from which he preached at the Stadtkirche, his teaching robe, and first editions of his books.
For Luther pilgrims, there is no better collection of relics (although Eisleben comes close with Luther's death bed and death mask).
The museum also includes an interesting section on Reformation art, with portraits of Luther and other paintings and propaganda work by Lucas Cranach the Elder and the Younger. Of special note is Cranach the Elder's famous didactic painting of The Commandments.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Lutherhalle; Luther Museum; Luther House |
| Type of site: | Museum; Protestant site |
| Location: | Collegienstrasse 54, Lutherstadt Wittenberg, Germany |
| Phone: | 03491/498610 |
| Hours: | November to March, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm; April to October, Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 6pm. |
| Cost: | 3.80€ for adults, 2.50€ for students and people ages 7 to 18, and free for children 6 and under. |
Map
Location map and satellite view of the Lutherhalle. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Wittenberg Map or get our free Google Earth download.
