Outside, the former Augustinian monastery is serene, as one might expect. The statue of
Katharina invites a moment’s study. A mosaic tile area on the lawn offers benches. The
sculptor conveys an ineffable quality of character that would influence "womanhood"
until "Hollywood." Looking up at the covered walkway linking the two main buildings
of the complex, I could almost hear the "buzz," the conviction of the many students, artists, and scholars whose lives touched Luther’s that a new humanist world-view would soon change life as they knew it. It must have been an exciting time and place! "Lucky Court Painter," I thought. Lucas Cranach, "painter of the German Reformation," got to record it all on canvas, and many of his works decorate Lutherhalle.
Inside, room after room is filled with artifacts and art: Luther’s last monk’s robe, his Bible with handwritten margin notes, part of the pulpit (removed from
Stadkirche) from which he first preached Protestant Doctrine, kitchen items,
weapons, tools, desk, bed, stove, and more. At least Luther's room here is of UNESCO World Heritage designation. Commentary in English adds details: his love for Katharina, their family life, his friendship with Melanchthon, and his privileged and fortunate association with the Elector Friedrich the Wise, who stalled representatives from Rome when the Pope insisted he "outlaw" Luther, the customary civil action following papal excommunication. In sly defiance, Friedrich arranged to have the reformer disguised as ordinary monk and transported to Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, now a few hours by train.
It’s an inspiring story the walls tell, especially the beginning of church after church to preach Luther’s doctrine for him while he was in hiding. No more papal pardons or dispensations only the rich could afford! Man’s relationship with Christ becomes
personal! Exit the priest as go-between! And, clergy can marry and raise families for the community to emulate, as Luther and Katharina did in 1525. With this, the stranglehold of the Roman Church since the fall of the Roman Empire was broken--well, perhaps the story continues . . . .
I left Lutherhalle with an understanding of the life and importance of the reformer and his
friends. "Scenes" enabled me to invision Luther, the teacher, where he liked to meet with his students at night and Luther, the family man, where he had dinner with his wife and children. The house seemed full of the guests who came to discuss the status of new ideas and current events. Some rooms have been preserved with little alteration, so old
one must walk through on a platform so as not the disturb the wide plank floors; others have been restored good as new. The monastery ceilings are wonderful in the new part, and some of the old has interesting wallpaper. Cranach paintings and paintings and statuary by other artists illustrate the characters, places, and events particular to the Reformation. It’s a good tour (5 euros) with storyline important to the history of Western Civilization. Lutherhaus is closed Mondays.