Plan a route here Copy route
Hiking Trail recommended route

Luther Trail: Section 25 – From Weimar to Apolda

Hiking Trail · Weimar - Weimarer Land
Responsible for this content
Thüringen-entdecken.de Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Stadtkirche St. Peter und Paul - Weimar
    Stadtkirche St. Peter und Paul - Weimar
    Photo: Paul Hentschel, Thüringen-entdecken.de
From the town of poets, this section takes you across fields and meadows to Apolda, the town of bells. This is where many bells were cast for churches all over Thuringia.
moderate
Distance 18.9 km
6:00 h
138 m
189 m
298 m
166 m
The electors and sovereigns of Weimar encouraged the Reformation, which meant that Luther often spent time there. In October 1522, Luther proclaimed his belief in ‘Secular Authority: How Far Does the Obedience Owed to it Extend?’ This formed the basis for one of his main Reformatory writings, ‘On the Freedom of a Christian’.

During his stays in Weimar, Luther lived in the Franciscan monastery  – today the University of Music FRANZ LISZT. On his last visit to Weimar, Luther stayed at Spalatin’s brother’s house – today known as the Lutherhof (Luther Courtyard).

In 1552, Lucas Cranch the Elder came to Weimar, following his Protestant sovereign into exile at the age of 80. Lucas Cranach the Younger finally completed the altar that his father had begun. The winged altar in the Church of St Peter and Paul is one of the most important artefacts of the Reformation.

Lucas Cranach the Elder lived at the Cranach House in Weimar for the last year of his life. Before he died, he founded a workshop and took on two apprentices. The house is a significant, listed Renaissance building and, along with two other buildings, makes up the entire UNESCO World Heritage site ensemble. The Weimar City Palace houses a Cranach gallery.

Apolda was first mentioned in 1119. This document states that Apolda is a settlement with two churches – St Martin’s, and St John’s Chapel. The chapel was pulled down in 1524 to build the castle; in the same year the town accepted the teachings of Luther.

The Luther Church dominates the cityscape of Apolda like no other. It is located in the centre of town on Melanchthonplatz square, is the largest of the four Apolda churches and is brick-built, which is unusal for Thuringian churches. Today the Luther Church is used for cultural events.

Author’s recommendation

A visit to the moated castle in Kapellendorf is well worth it.
Profile picture of Paul Hentschel
Author
Paul Hentschel
Update: May 24, 2023
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
298 m
Lowest point
166 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Hotel Elephant, a luxury Collection Hotel - Weimar

Start

Goetheplatz square Weimar (221 m)
Coordinates:
DD
50.982037, 11.325933
DMS
50°58'55.3"N 11°19'33.4"E
UTM
32U 663263 5650402
w3w 
///greeting.visits.standing

Destination

Luther Church Apolda

Turn-by-turn directions

Weimar (Goetheplatz square) – Webicht – Süßenborn – Umpferstedt – Kapellendorf – Oberndorf – Herressen-Sulzbach – Apolda (Luther Church)

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

Weimar and Apolda are connected to the Deutsche Bahn local transport network.

By road

Coming from the A4, take exit 49 (Weimar) and continue north through Gelmeroda towards the town centre.

Parking

Please use the carpark at the main post office (LINK) or the one at the Weimar ATRIUM (LINK).

Coordinates

DD
50.982037, 11.325933
DMS
50°58'55.3"N 11°19'33.4"E
UTM
32U 663263 5650402
w3w 
///greeting.visits.standing
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Equipment

Sturdy shoes

Questions and answers

Ask the first question

Would you like to the ask the author a question?


Rating

Write your first review

Help others by being the first to add a review.


Photos from others


Difficulty
moderate
Distance
18.9 km
Duration
6:00 h
Ascent
138 m
Descent
189 m
Highest point
298 m
Lowest point
166 m
Public-transport-friendly Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Linear route Cultural/historical interest

Statistics

  • Content
  • Show images Hide images
Features
Maps and trails
  • 30 Waypoints
  • 30 Waypoints
Distance  km
Duration : h
Ascent  m
Descent  m
Highest point  m
Lowest point  m
Push the arrows to change the view