Tuesday, 5 June 2018: Eisenach, and the Wartburg, Germany

Today we toured the Wartburg. Even from the parking lot, it was a challenging climb up to the fortress, especially in the heat. But I can't imagine a safer place for Martin Luther, during his persecution. Surrounded by dense forest and protected by an impregnable fortress and a wise and powerful prince was about the best protection the times could offer. The views from the fortress were stunning.

From our hotel room at night, I could see a lighted tower on a hill, and I wondered if that was the Wartburg. It was! From the Wartburg, you could see the town of Eisenach below.

View of Eisenach from the Wartburg

The Wartburg

Wartburg drawbridge

Wartburg street

Detail on a column in the knights' reception hall

Window in the Wartburg

View from a leaded glass window

The Elizabeth Room (Elizabeth of Hungary) was the most impressive, with all its mosaics. But the most moving place was Martin Luther's room, where he translated the Bible to German.

Mosaic in the Elizabeth room

Tapestry in the Elizabeth Room

Martin Luther Room

Bible translated into German by Martin Luther

Martin Luther's writing desk

From the Wartburg, we drove on to Bad Tabarz, where we had found a room for the next three nights. After a swim in the pool and dinner, we took a walk to scout out our hike in the Thuringian Forest tomorrow. On the way back, we met the owner of the hotel, and she confirmed our hiking route and encouraged us to visit a crystal cave on the way.