Martin Luther – the man and his time

In your walk through the exhibit-rooms you will by design need to return to the central hall, where on three physical and intellectual levels close contact with Luther’s life and times be realised. A timetable provides a graphic connection between Luther’s life and important contemporary world events. A historic map informs the visitor about significant
highlights of the Reformation in Europe. In the gallery a wooden figure-trio of streetsingers recalls Luther’s students days, when he had to join other young hymn-singing boys to beg for alms.
On a multi-media column you can watch video clips of Luther’s contemporaries, as well as film scenes from Luther’s own life. A number of giant paintings – on temporary loan from the Wartburg collection – present a 19th century world view of Luther. The extensive poster collection invites the visitor to leaf through them: an ABC of Luther-sayings, a Luther-biography based on his quotations, various poses of different ages of the man, literary commentaries about Luther by luminaries, such as Nietsche and Biermann, provide the impetus for closer study of Luther’s ideas and intellect.

Luther, “Doctor of the Holy Scripture”

During his Wartburg stay Luther initiatet what became his most renowned accomplishment: The translation into German of the Holy Scripture from the original text.
Especially for the younger generation three other multi-media columns are intended to pictorially display the significance of this bible translation. Costumed figures convey live renderings of how in Luther’s days he might have “watched people’s mouth…”. When a particular figure is touched on the screen a specific short story about the details of the translation can be heard. From early bible illuminations or by way of a modern American comic clip the story and background of the Luther bible is intentionally presented in this entertaining fashion.

Luther's message

Giant free hanging transparencies throughout the room introduce the visitor to four word dichotomies that guided Luther’s life and gave meaning and substance to his creative efforts: Faith and work, law and holy word, judgement and forgiveness, freedom and conscience.
The impetus to experience a personal inner dialog with Luther derives from the wall paintings from the time of the Reformation. They convey in colourful motives the essential messages of the reformer.

With the bible translation and the corresponding catechism Luther greatly influenced the development of modern standardized German. This came about through many printed editions of these works and their extensive distributions throughout the German-speaking realm. In addition, Luther asked local rulers and big towns to set up schools for boys and girls. With these repeated requests Luther became the first promotor for educating the German people. To achieve this effect please closely observe the classroom design from Luther’s time: you may sit at one of the small student desks, look at the poster album on the lectern, and be surrounded by pictures and objects common at the time of the Reformation.
From the sounds of one of the listening stations you can experience Luther as song writer.
The ear phones convey four typical Luther-songs in various musical adaptations.

While attending elementary school in Eisenach, Luther had the use of two small rooms in the house of the Cotta family. In the “Lutherstuben” the visitor is reminded of this segment in Luther’s life with a time chart and numerous other illustrations.