Reformation

Germany is not just a country of many wonderful landscapes and historical attractions, but also the home of the Reformation, which had its roots in Wittenberg where the young monk Martin Luther is said to have posted his 95 Theses on the doors of the "Schlosskirche". Many other places are linked to the great Reformer, such as Eisleben, where he was born and died, Wartburg Castle (World Heritage Site), where he translated the New Testament into German, and Torgau, the burial place of Luther's wife, Katharina von Bora.

There are testimonies of the Reformation - not only in Germany. In Zurich, Switzerland, you can find the Grossmunster Cathedral, from where the Swiss Reformation led by Huldrych Zwingli spread. The shores of Lake Geneva are also home to many places linked to John Calvin, who was an inspiration to countless protestant churches. We will celebrate his 500th birthday in 2009!.

In Prague, Czechoslovakia, you will walk in the footsteps of Jan Hus.

2017 Germany and the whole world will commemorate the 500th anniversary of Luther's posting the 95 Theses on the doors of the "Schlosskirche". Celebrate with us! 2008 was the year of the opening of the Luther Decade in Wittenberg - in 1508 Luther came to Wittenberg for the first time and started his teaching activity at the University.

In order to honor the great variety of themes that the Reformation has to offer, we have developed a series of program suggestions that are theme-based and categorized by year for the Luther Decade.

2010 – 450th anniversary of the death of Philipp Melanchthon
2011 - Luther is travelling to Rome (1510/1511)
2015 – 500th anniversary of Lucas Cranach the younger
2016 – 500 years Erasmus von Rotterdam: Publication of his Greek New Testament