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Luther Trail: Section 23 – From Erfurt to Sömmerda

Bicycle Rides · Erfurt
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  • Lutherstein - Stotternheim
    Lutherstein - Stotternheim
    Photo: Paul Hentschel, Thüringen-entdecken.de
Following the Luther Trail through the Thuringian Basin to the place where history was written due to a natural phenomenon.
moderate
Distance 37.3 km
14:00 h
46 m
104 m
192 m
137 m
A few weeks after starting his law studies in Erfurt, Martin Luther travelled to Mansfeld to visit his parents. On the way back, legend has it that he was caught in a heavy thunderstorm on 2 July 1505 in Stotternheim near Erfurt.

Seeking shelter under a tree in an open field, lightning struck close by. In fear of his life, Luther called upon St Anna to protect him, swearing:

“I will become a monk!”

Two weeks later on 17 July 1505, Martin Luther entered the Augustinian Monastery, the strictest monastic community in Erfurt. No one could persuade him otherwise; neither his friends nor his father. On 27 February 1507, he was ordained as a priest. His confessor, Johann von Staupitz, the vicar general of the order recommended Luther as a theology student and in 1508 sent him off to Wittenberg to study. A year later Luther graduated with the degree Baccalarius biblicus.

In 1987, St Wigberti’s priory in Werningshausen, an ecumenical Benedictine monastery, was approved as the first Lutheran monastery after the Reformation. Today, brothers of various denomination live here according to the teachings of St Benedict. Anyone can experience or take part in everyday monastic life whenever they want.

The Protestant Church of St Boniface in Sömmerda is well worth a visit. It is a single-nave, late Gothic building with Renaissance elements. The church treasures include the Baroque organ built in around 1700 by Johann Georg Krippendorff and the 26 murals featuring images from the Old Testament.

The life and works of Nicolaus von Dreyse – inventor of the needle gun – start the exhibition of the 200-year-old industrial developmental history of his hometown of Sömmerda in the museum bearing his name. On the eaves of the house, the words ‘Bete und Arbeite’ (Pray and Work), Dreyses’s personal motto, can still be seen.

Author’s recommendation

Be sure to visit the Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt and take part in a guided tour!
Profile picture of Paul Hentschel
Author
Paul Hentschel
Update: May 24, 2023
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
192 m
Lowest point
137 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 55.43%Dirt road 6.16%Forested/wild trail 14.91%Bike pushing needed 1.58%Road 8.59%Unknown 13.30%
Asphalt
20.7 km
Dirt road
2.3 km
Forested/wild trail
5.6 km
Bike pushing needed
0.6 km
Road
3.2 km
Unknown
5 km
Show elevation profile

Safety information

Parts of the Luther Trail follow the Unstrut Cycle Path. Please be aware of cyclists.

Start

Augustinian Monastery Erfurt (190 m)
Coordinates:
DD
50.981589, 11.029630
DMS
50°58'53.7"N 11°01'46.7"E
UTM
32U 642468 5649738
w3w 
///mascots.rainy.cone

Destination

St Boniface Church Sömmerda

Turn-by-turn directions

Erfurt (Augustinian Monastery, Luther Church) – Stotternheim (with a detour to the Luther Stone) – Alperstedter Lake – Nöda – Riethnordhausen – Haßlebener Ried Conservation Area – Werningshausen – St Wigberti’s priory (ecumenical Benedictine monastery) – Wundersleben – Sömmerda (St Boniface’s Church)

If you wish to hike this section of the Luther Trail, it’s best to split it into two parts and stay overnight in Riethnordhausen at the idyllic Hotel Landvogt.

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

Erfurt and Sömmerda are connected to the Deutsche Bahn regional train network.

By road

Coming form the A4, take exit 46 (Erfurt-West) and then continue on the L3004 towards Erfurt.

Parking

Please use the parking guidance system in the town.

Coordinates

DD
50.981589, 11.029630
DMS
50°58'53.7"N 11°01'46.7"E
UTM
32U 642468 5649738
w3w 
///mascots.rainy.cone
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Equipment

Sturdy shoes and hiking sticks

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Difficulty
moderate
Distance
37.3 km
Duration
14:00 h
Ascent
46 m
Descent
104 m
Highest point
192 m
Lowest point
137 m
Public-transport-friendly Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Linear route Cultural/historical interest

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  • 55 Waypoints
  • 55 Waypoints
Distance  km
Duration : h
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