Luther House

The Luther House (German: Lutherhalle or Lutherhaus) in Wittenberg, Germany, is the most important and interesting Reformation museum in Germany. It is located in the Augustinian monastery where Luther lived, first as a monk and later as owner with his family. In addition to the well-preserved rooms that were used by Luther, the museum contains an unsurpassed collection of Reformation manuscripts and artifacts.

The Augustinian monastery of Wittenberg, at which Martin Luther was a monk, was dissolved at the outset of the Reformation. Part of it was made into a residence hall for students and the rest was given to Luther as a family home.

This building hosted several important events in Luther's life, not the least of which is his conversion from fearful monk to confident preacher of "justification by faith alone."

Later, the Luthers' living room was the setting of the famous conversations held with university students, recorded in Table Talk beginning in 1531. It was also from here that Martin and Katie Luther's wedding procession left for the nearby City Church of St. Mary.

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.

In the courtyard is the ornate Katharinenportal (Katharina's Door), which was a birthday gift from Luther's wife, a former nun, in 1540.

The 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 and history buffs, there is no better collection of relics.

The museum also includes an interesting section on Reformation art, with portraits of Luther 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.

Just down the street is the Luther Oak (Luthereich) marking the spot where Luther burned a papal bull of excommunication in 1520.