The next day we are off to Eisenach and Erfurt. Eisenach is a large city (43,000+ residents in 2006) and should be well-known to Lutherans for two very important reasons: 1) it is the home of Wartburg Castle (where Luther translated the New Testament from Greek into German while in hiding) and 2) it is also the birthplace of none other than our favorite Lutheran composer, Johann Sebastian Bach. His house is now a museum. Also in Eisenach is the Luther House, where Luther is said to have lived as a young boy. This should be fascinating! There are also two very large statues in the main square - I'm sure we'll be seeing those for a great photo op!
Erfurt (population 200,000+) was minimally damaged during WWII and after being captured by Patton's Army on April 12, 1945, it became part of the Soviet Zone of Occupation. It is now the capital of Thuringia. Erfurt is famous for Lutherans because this is where Martin Luther attended the university, earning both his Bachelor's Degree as well as his Master's of Theology. He lived there as a student from 1501 to 1505, and then continued on as a monk from 1505 to 1511. The old university still stands today (picture). Interestingly, Bach's parents were married there in Erfurt in 1668.
Erfurt (population 200,000+) was minimally damaged during WWII and after being captured by Patton's Army on April 12, 1945, it became part of the Soviet Zone of Occupation. It is now the capital of Thuringia. Erfurt is famous for Lutherans because this is where Martin Luther attended the university, earning both his Bachelor's Degree as well as his Master's of Theology. He lived there as a student from 1501 to 1505, and then continued on as a monk from 1505 to 1511. The old university still stands today (picture). Interestingly, Bach's parents were married there in Erfurt in 1668.
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