- Brief description
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From the place of Martin Luther's miraculous healing to Gotha, the town that played an important role in the life of Lucas Cranach the Elder, who was the most famous Luther portrait painter.
- Difficulty
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medium
- Rating
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- Starting point
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Luther Church – Tambach-Dietharz
- Route
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Lutherkirche, Her(R)bergskirche Thüringer WaldZum Bären0.2 kmWasserrad0.6 kmTambach-Dietharz0.8 kmLandhaus Falkenstein2.3 kmLohmühle4.6 kmRodebachmühle6.3 kmGeorgenthal8.6 kmMeister BÄR8.6 kmCatterfeld10.4 kmGaststätte & Pension "Schillershöhe"10.4 kmAltenbergen12.8 kmEngelsbach14.6 kmGasthaus zum Paradies14.7 kmLandeskirchliche Gemeinschaft18.6 kmSt. Karl Borromäus18.7 kmStadtkirche St. Blasius18.7 kmFriedrichroda18.9 kmWaldgasthaus Sankt Marien20.9 kmReinhardsbrunn22.1 kmKlosterpark Reinhardsbrunn22.4 kmReinhardsbrunnen22.8 kmWaldaltar25.5 kmWaltershausen26.9 kmMetaxa27.7 kmUnser Lieben Frauen27.9 kmIbenhain27.9 kmZur Tanne29.6 kmSchnepfenthal29.8 kmLeina34.0 kmKÄSTNER Gasthaus | Biergarten an der Rennbahn36.8 kmBoxberg (359 m)36.9 kmSundhausen39.9 kmGotha (300 m)44.7 kmHospitalkirche44.8 kmRathausturm45.0 kmAugustinerkirche45.1 kmSchlosskirche45.8 km
- Best season
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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Description
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‘From Tambach, the place of my blessing … in which God appeared to me’, wrote Martin Luther in February 1537 to his wife, and friend Philipp Melanchthon. Taken ill, he left the convent in Schmalkalden early and stopped at an inn in Tambach, believing he was close to death. Legend has it that the pure water that he drank from the spring in Tammichgrund was responsible for his recuperation. In 1771, the spring was tapped and was consecrated as the ‘Doctor Martin Lutherbrunnen’.
Luther’s friend Georg Burkhard (Spalatin) was active in the former Cistercian monastery in Georgenthal. It is said that he gave Luther the bible that he later translated into German during his stay at Wartburg Castle.
Reinhardsbrunn monastery in Friedrichroda, the family monastery of the counts, was one of the most significant Benedictine monasteries in Thuringia. During his stay in Wartburg Castle, Luther visited this monastery many times. In the grounds you can find the Spiritual Tourism Information and Exhibition Centre. On his journey to the Schmalkalden Council, Luther stopped in Walterhausen on 6 February 1537.
As the district vicar for the Augustinian convents in Meißen and Thuringia, he was also responsible for the Augustinian Monastery in Gotha. He stayed there many times and preached in the Augustinian Church. Friedrich Myconius, Luther’s fellow campaigner and Reformer in Gotha, was particularly active on Luther’s behalf from 1524 until his death in 1546. In the area around Gotha the Luther Trail connects the Versöhnungskirche church (pilgrims’ hostel), the Augustinian Monastery and Church (one of the oldest monasteries in Thuringia), the central marketplace, Schlossberg hill, and Friedenstein Castle and grounds.
- Directions
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Tambach-Dietharz – Georgenthal – Catterfeld – Altenbergen / Kandelaber monument – Engelsbach – Friedrichroda / Marienglas Cave – Reinhardsbrunn / Monastery grounds – Waltershausen / Tenneberg Palace – Schnepfenthal – Leina – Boxberg mountain – Sundhausen – Gotha / Friedenstein Castle
As it is so long, it's best to split this section into two parts with an overnight stay in Friedrichroda or Waltershausen.
- Highest point
- 494 m
- Endpoint
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Friedenstein Castle - Gotha
- Height profile
- © outdooractive.com
- Equipment
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Sturdy shoes, hiking sticks
- Safety instructions
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The route takes you through thickly forested areas.
- Tips
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Be sure to visit the Ducal Museum (opposite Friedenstein Castle) with its impressive Cranach gallery.
- Additional information
- Directions
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Coming from the A4, take exit 42 (Gotha) and continue on the B247 towards Ohrdruf. Turn right at Hohenkirchen onto the L1028 towards Georgenthal / Tambach-Dietharz.
- Public transportation
- Parking
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AuthorThe tour Luther Trail: Section 06 – From Tambach-Dietharz to Gotha is used by outdooractive.com provided.