Day 4: Rockin' the Wartburg

  

Today we traveled about three hours by bus to the Wartburg Castle.  This is a very old castle that is believed to date back to 1087 A.D.  It has been constantly modified and enlarged over the centuries.  The reason we were interested in it was that this castle played a very pivotal role in the reformation.

At the Diet of Worms Martin Luther refused to recant his writings.  This is when he said, "Here I stand.  I Can do no other.  God help me."  As a result of his firm stance his life was in danger.  Plans were made to ensure Luther would never make it back to Wittenberg.  In a "pre-emtive strike" Luther's friends kidnapped him first, and took him to the Wartburg for his own safe keeping.  It was in this little room that Luther stayed for 10 months.  During this time he wrote a number of Bible commentaries.

Soon he returned to this very room so that he could translate the Greek New Testament into German; a language the people could understand.  Luther realized that until the people could have the Bible to read themselves, they would still be dependent on a church hierarchy that had proven itself to corrupt God's word.  The footstool in this picture is actually the vertebrae bone from a whale.

There was a famous “inkspot” in this room where it is said that one day the devil was tormenting Luther so the reformer threw his inkwell at him.   The result was a memorable stain on the wall not far from Luther’s desk.  You can see here where in past centuries people have cut away the wood to take home a sample of the ink-spot.

In the afternoon we made our way to Erfurt.  Luther spent much time here earlier in his life as this was the location of the Augustinian Monastery he joined when he became a monk after his lightening storm experience.  Pictured here is the door to the room where Luther was ordained.  Since the room is located in a Roman Catholic Church, there is no interest by the church in developing it for tourist use.  It is simply used as a classroom these days.

A few blocks away, the altar in the Augustinian Church plays an important role in Luther’s life. It was front of this altar that Luther laid prostrate on the floor in the shape of a cross as he took his vows to become a monk. Later, after he was ordained, he consecrated the elements of the Lord’s Supper for the first time at this altar. It is said he was so nervous about doing this that he spilled the wine during the ceremony.

Unfortunately the huge stained glass windows have been taken down to be restored. This alone is a $1.5 million dollar project. There are many building restoration projects going on at the Luther sights to be ready in time for the 500th anniversary of the nailing of the 95 thesis. While the windows are away, large prints of the windows have been hung for those who visit the church.

This famous church was also our location for Evening Prayer this night.  Once again it was a privilege to sing and prayer this service in the same place that Luther himself would have done so.