Luther Sites in Weimar

Town Church St. Peter & Paul

Herder Church

Town Church St. Peter & Paul • Herder Church
_{Photo: weimar GmbH}

Town Church St. Peter and Paul with the Herder Memorial
_{Photo: Maik Schuck}

Town Church St. Peter and Paul with the Cranach Altar
_{Photo: weimar GmbH}

 

The late Gothic Town Church St. Peter & Paul was built as a three-aisled hall church between 1498 and 1500. The first church on this site was built between 1245 and 1249. The foundations of the church’s western tower are among the city’s oldest structures. Of the church’s original late Gothic elements, the baptismal font, the staircase to the baroque pulpit and parts of a wall painting of Saint Ursula underneath the organ loft are the only ones that remain.  

The main point of attraction in the church is the winged altar begun by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1522 and finished by his son. The Cranach Altar is considered one of the major works of 16th century Saxonian-Thuringian art, and is an important testament to the ideas of the Reformation. The Luther Shrine is also noteworthy, a triptych from 1572 that shows Martin Luther as a monk, as Junker Jörg (Luther’s cover name during his stay at the Wartburg Castle), and as a teacher. Martin Luther preached in the church numerous times.    

The church has now become a major tourist attraction. Together with the Herder House it was made part of the UNESCO World Heritage Classical Weimar ensemble in 1998. In addition to regular Sunday and holiday religious services, organ concerts, exhibitions, oratorio performances, and guest concerts by celebrated artists are held frequently in this historic church.

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Contact
Herderplatz 8
99423 Weimar

Telephone 03643 / 851518
Fax 03643 / 851519
www.ev-kirchgemeinde-weimar.de
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Opening hours

April to October:
Mon. – Fri. 10am–6pm
Sat. 10am-noon and 2pm-4pm
Sun. 11am-noon and 2pm-4pm

November to March:
daily 10am-noon and 2pm-4pm

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Guided tours
April to October
Mon. – Fri. at 5pm
November to March
Mon. and Fri. at 2pm