Luther Trail: Section 26 – From Apolda to Jena

The Luther Church dominates the cityscape of Apolda like no other. It is located in the centre of town on Melanchthonplatz square, it is the largest of the four Apolda churches and is brick-built, which is unusual for Thuringian churches. The architect Johannes Otzen designed the Luther Church, which was built between 1890 and 1894. This historical interior, which to this day remains unchanged, includes sculptures by Hermann Kokolsky and Wilhelm Haverkamp, a painting by Otto Berg and the stained glass window from the Maximilian Auerbach workshop. Another element of the original furnishings is the organ made by the company Wilhelm Sauer, which features 48 stops on three manuals and pedals.

Today the Luther Church is used for cultural events.

Following this 16 km long section of the Luther Trail south, you end up in Jena, where Luther stayed at least 11 times; sometimes in disguise to debate with students and sometimes in his role as the Reformer arguing with his adversaries.  Once the university was founded by John Frederick I, the town started to become a ‘second Wittenberg’.