20


Photo: Rauchi+88 via Wikimedia Commons


Wittenberg, Germany This is the small German town where Luther


served as a theology professor, hammered his 95 Theses to the church door, burned the papal bull of excommunication, and—later in life—welcomed students and friends into his home.


21


Castle Church (Schlosskirche),


Wittenberg, Germany On Oct. 31, 1517, a frustrated Luther nailed a handwritten copy of 95 theses (topics for discussion) to the wooden door of the Wittenberg town church, an event that kicked off the Reformation. While


that original church and its door are long-gone, the rebuilt church in the same location is loaded with Luther lore, including his tombstone.


23


Lutherhaus, Wittenberg, Germany The home that an aging Luther shared with


his wife, Katharina von Bora, is now an excellent museum displaying the pulpit from which he preached, famous portraits and the richest collection of Luther artifacts in Europe, including his original translations.


24


Cathedral of Lausanne,


Lausanne, Switzerland The biggest church in Switzerland, this is one of many cleared of decoration by Reformation “iconoclasts,” who whitewashed colorfully frescoed walls, trashed stained-glass windows, and smashed statues of Mary and the saints—all with the goal of decluttering the worshiper’s relationship with God, and placing a focus on the music (organ) and the sermon (pulpit).


25 22


Wartburg Castle, Eisenach, Germany This castle is where Luther holed up


(disguised as the bearded “Squire George”) after he had been excommunicated by Pope Leo X in 1521. In the castle is a fine little museum with artifacts and art from Luther’s time.


30 FEBRUARY 2017 See


Churches with anti-Lutheran propaganda, throughout Europe


The medieval church responded to the Reformation with the Counter-Reformation, a propaganda campaign of bombastic Baroque decor designed to dazzle and intimidate the faithful.


25 more Reformation sites at LivingLutheran.org.


Nos. 16 through 25 were compiled by Rick Steves, a travel writer and TV host and member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lynnwood, Wash.


Photo: Shutterstock.com


Photo: Cethegus via Wikimedia Commons


Photo: Wikimedia Commons


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