Georgenkirche and Luther

The Georgenkirche was built by Ludwig III, of the Ludovigian Dynasty when they ruled the area. The church is associated with several important historical people and events, beginning with Elizabeth of Thuringia (aka Saint Elizabeth of Hungary) who married here in 1222.

Martin Luther sang in the choir here as a student. He returned later, including to preach in the church before his mysterious kidnapping on May 2, 1521, after his refusal to return to the discipline of the Catholic Church.

JS Bach was also baptized here.

There's a carved crucifixion piece from the Voss Workshop of Nürnberg, which is you read our Bavarian trip, you would have heard of him already. Also, behind the altar are the tombstones of some of the members of the Ludovigian family. When the Communists took over, they were supposed to be removed and destroyed, but were taken into safekeeping.

We stopped by the Lutherhaus, but didn't visit, just stopped into the guesthouse. We had a long day ahead of us at Wartburg Castle, beginning with a walk uphill to reach it.Read more