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From Wartburg Castle to the World

To mark the 500th anniversary of the translation of the Bible, a pilgrimage relay from Eisenach to Wittenberg took place in May.

03.07.2022

The historical background

In May 1521, a (mock) kidnapping of Martin Luther took place. As a result, he lived in Wartburg Castle until March 1522. Luther took off the outer markings of a monk and lived in the castle in the clothing of a knight under the name Junker Jörg. During this time Luther translated the New Testament into German. He brought his manuscript of the translation to Wittenberg for printing in 1522. This event is the content and occasion of the pilgrimage route "From Wartburg Castle to the World“.

The event

By the association „Kirche und Tourismus e.V." the cause was taken up and a pilgrimage table from the Wartburg to Eisenach was organized. The Prime Minister of the Free State of Thuringia, Mr. Bodo Ramelow, took over the patronage.

In the period from 05 to 19 May 2022 a pilgrimage relay took place. A reprint of the hand-written manuscript was carried from town to town from the Wartburg to Wittenberg. Church congregations, rural and urban communities accompanied this event. In agreement with all participants, it was signaled that this route should continue to exist as a pilgrimage route and be marketed for tourism.

The pilgrimage route

The overall route of the tour was created by the Wander- und Freizeitverein Arnstadt e.V. in Outdooractive and published by the Regionalverbund Thüringer Wald e.V. in the tour portal at https://www.tourenportal-thueringer-wald.de/de/list/pilgerwanderung-zum-500.-jahrestag-der-bibeluebersetzung/238994057/. In the context of the pilgrimage relay it was determined that partial sections of the routes are not correct and therefore alternative route guidance must be incorporated. These sections must be hiked again.

The schedule in detail

05.05.2022 10:00 a.m. Start at Wartburg Castle (pictured): Welcome by Dr. Franziska Nentwig, head of the castle, opening of the pilgrimage relay by Pastor Christfried Boelter of the Association Kirche und Tourismus e. V., Christine Lieberknecht, President of the Thuringian Hiking Association and patron of the Thuringian Luther Trail, Bishop Friedrich Kramer and Katja Wolf, Mayor of the City of Eisenach. Arrival in Reinhan

06.05.2022 8.15 a.m. Start at the "Lutherweginfomationszentrumr" (Luther Trail Information Centre) Reinhardsbrunn to the Augustinian Monastery Gotha (stops: Schnepfenthaler Church, Cumbacher Ponds, Wilhelm Hey Leina Rectory).

07.05.2022 9:00 a.m. Start at the Augustinian monastery in Gotha: devotion and pilgrim blessing. Cycle relay and foot pilgrimage relay to the Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt (via Wechmar, Mühlberg, Apfelstädt, Ingersleben, visit to churches along the way). Arrival at the State Chancellery in Erfurt at approx. 16:00, followed by the handover of the Luther Way baton to the pilgrimage relay by the Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow. Afterwards arrival at the Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt: welcome and pilgrimage prayer.

08.05.2022 9:00 a.m. Start at the Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt, pilgrim blessing, departure in the direction of Ringleben to the Bartholomäus Church. 

09.05.2022 9:00 Start at the Bartholomäus Church in Ringleben in the direction of Sömmerda, pilgrim blessing. In the Bonifatius Church in Sömmerda, guided tour of the church and/or visit to the exhibition.

10.05.2022 9:00 a.m. Start at the Bonifatius Church Sömmerda, pilgrim blessing, departure towards Frömmstedt In St. John's Church Frömmstedt church tour and/or visit to the exhibition

11.05.2022 9:00 am Start at St. John's Church in Frömmstedt, pilgrim blessing, set off towards Bad Frankenhausen. In Frankenhausen guided tour of the Unterkirche and/or the exhibition.

12.05.2022 9:00 a.m. Start at Unterkirche Bad Frankenhausen, pilgrim blessing, departure towards Eisleben, parallel departure of the bike pilgrimage relay in Donndorf Monastery. Arrival in Eisleben at Petri Church, welcome, exhibition in Luther's death house.

13.05.2022 9:00 a.m. Start at Petri Church Eisleben, pilgrim blessing, departure for Höhnstedt to the church and the Alte Schrotmühle vineyard. After arrival, visit to the church and the winery.

14.05.2022 Höhnstedt 9:00 a.m. Start at the church, pilgrim blessing, departure towards Halle. After arrival in Halle, visit to the Marktkirche and the Marienbibliothek.

15.05.2022 9:00 Start in Halle, pilgrim blessing, departure towards Landsberg. After arrival at St. Anna's Church possibly guided tour of the church and/or existing exhibition.

16.05.2022 9:00 Start at St. Anna Church, pilgrim blessing, departure in the direction of Bitterfeld. After arrival at the Stadtkirche possibly guided tour of the church and/or existing exhibition.

17.05.2022 9:00 Start at Stadtkirche, pilgrim blessing, departure towards Schwemsal. After arrival in Schwemsal visit the Church of the Redeemer, possibly guided tour of the church and/or existing exhibition.

18.05.2022 9:00 Start at Schwemsal church, pilgrim blessing, set off in the direction of Kemberg. After arrival at St. Mary's, possibly guided tour of the church and/or existing exhibition.

19.05.2022 9:00 a.m., Start at St.Marien, pilgrim blessing, departure for Wittenberg. After arrival at Wittenberg Castle Church, welcome by the Prime Minister Reiner Haseloff, visit to the town church, handing over of the September Testament and the Peace Message.