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Martin Luther

In 1517 Martin Luther penned a document attacking the selling of indulgences. His 95 Theses were to spark the Reformation and the split with the Catholic Church.

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All Content on this topic

Deutschland Gemälde von Martin Luther

Who was Martin Luther?

Was Luther a superstar, a concerned citizen or an outlaw? A look at the man behind the myth.
CultureOctober 30, 201704:18 min
Deutschland Lutherpreis «Das unerschrockene Wort»

Back to Wittenberg

The epicenter of Luther's Reformation is Wittenberg. How much of his spirit is found there today?
CultureOctober 30, 201705:57 min
Evangelisch-lutherische Kirche in Lateinamerika - Campo Viera, Misiones

Luther and Latin America's Protestants

The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is an opportunity for Christianity's various sects to step out of their niches.
ReligionOctober 29, 2017
09 BG Das erwartet uns im Oktober

Reformation Day quiz

On October 31, Germany is celebrating the Protestant Reformation's 500th anniversary. How much do you know about it?
TravelOctober 27, 2017
Demonstration Barcelona

Spotlight on Europe 27 October 2017

Europe fears as Catalonia independence crisis rages on +++The billionaire set to become Czech Republic’s new PM
PoliticsOctober 27, 201730:00 min
Symbolbild EU-Erweiterung

Inside Europe 26.10.2017

Could regional autonomy threaten the stability of Europe? - Calls for more autonomy in Italy - The billionaire seeking to lead the Czech Republic – Is daylight saving living on borrowed time? - Can Poland’s economy support a lowered pension age? - Concern over press freedom in Hungary - Empty pews in the homeland of the Reformation - Revival of Porto’s Jewish community.
PoliticsOctober 27, 201755:00 min
Wittenberg Luther-Denkmal

Inside Europe: Empty pews in the homeland of the Reformation

PoliticsOctober 26, 201705:45 min
500 years Reformation:A painting by Bernard Plockhorst depicts Martin Luther playing music with his family on Christmas Eve

How Martin Luther became a Christian pop star

Martin Luther did not only reform the Church, but discovered the power of music as a songwriter and composer.
MusicOctober 26, 2017
09 BG Das erwartet uns im Oktober

Martin Luther's daring revolution

DW's Klaus Krämer looks at how Luther's reforms started a revolution.
CultureOctober 24, 2017
Daily Drone Georgenburse

#DailyDrone: Georgenburse, Erfurt

Our drone flies to the place where Martin Luther probably lived as a student between 1501 and 1505.
TravelOctober 12, 201701:04 min
USA Ministers March for Justice in Washington

Charlottesville, Trump energize faith leaders

Hundreds of religious representatives of various faiths commemorated Martin Luther King's historic March on Washington.
SocietyAugust 29, 2017
Daily Drone | Lutherhaus Eisenach

#DailyDrone: Following Martin Luther

Erfurt, Wittenberg, Eisenach: Discover important way-stations in the Protestant reformer's life.
TravelAugust 17, 201701:55 min
Deutschland Martin-Luther-Kirche in Dresden

Dresden church attacked with Molotov cocktails

Police were searching for witnesses after attackers threw two Molotov cocktails at the Martin Luther Church in Dresden.
CrimeJuly 27, 2017
Daily Drone | Michaeliskirche

#DailyDrone: St. Michael's Church, Erfurt

Where Martin Luther attended mass in Erfurt: A bird's-eye view of St. Michael's Church.
TravelJuly 3, 201701:14 min
Daily Drone | Lutherhaus Eisenach

#DailyDrone: Luther House, Eisenach

A drone flight over Thuringia: A bird's-eye view of one of Thuringia's oldest and loveliest half-timbered houses.
TravelJune 27, 201701:07 min
Deutschland Blick über Marburg

A tour through Luther's Marburg

In 1529 Martin Luther had an important appointment in the Hessian university town.
TravelJune 15, 2017
Die Wartburg bei Eisenach

Luther's beloved Eisenach

The Thuringian town is celebrating him in 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
TravelJune 9, 20179 images
Daily Drone Luthers Elternhaus

#DailyDrone: Luther's parents' house

In Luther's town, Mansfeld, you'll find the reformer's parents' house. The #DailyDrone takes you there.
TravelJune 7, 201701:16 min
36. Evangelischer Kirchentag Wittenberg

Inside Europe: Wittenberg through agnostic eyes

Germany has been celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation started by the Protestant pastor, Martin Luther. Festivities to mark the anniversary took place last weekend in Wittenberg and coincided with a meeting of the Protestant Congress. Around 120,000 people gathered in the town including DW's resident agnostic Jefferson Chase. He sent his rather secular impressions of the event.
PoliticsJune 2, 201705:24 min
Daily Drone Cranach-Häuser

#DailyDrone: Cranach Houses, Wittenberg

The #DailyDrone heads to the Cranach Houses.
TravelMay 30, 201701:22 min
Deutschland Schloss Hartenfels in Torgau

Torgau: Power center of the Reformation

Torgau on the river Elbe is significant location in the history of the Reformation.
TravelMay 30, 2017
Deutschland Kirchentag in Wittenberg

A non-believer's day at the Kirchentag

More than 100,000 people turned out for a service in Wittenberg - resident DW agnostic Jefferson Chase was among them.
ReligionMay 28, 2017
Exhibition "Luther and the Avantgarde"- Achim Mohné

Martin Luther in art

The exhibition "Luther and the Avantgarde" in a former jail in Wittenberg shows works by 66 modern artists.
CultureMay 22, 2017
Deutschland Lutherpreis «Das unerschrockene Wort»

Back to Wittenberg

The epicenter of Luther's Reformation is Wittenberg. How much of his spirit is found there today?
CultureMay 22, 2017
Writer Feridun Zaimoglu

Feridun Zaimoglu‘s "Evangelio"

For Luther translating the Bible into German was a form of salvation. Zaimoglu's novel explores why.
CultureMay 22, 2017
Deutsches Historisches Museum, Ausstellung "Der Luther-Effekt"

Global impact

How have Protestant reformers affected the world? An exhibition, The Luther Effect provides some answers.
CultureMay 22, 2017
DW Arts.21 Logo

Arts.21 - The Cultural Magazine | 20.05.2017

A special edition on the reformer Martin Luther, and his revolution. How did he change the world?
CultureMay 22, 2017
04.2016 Check-in (Sendungslogo)

Check-in - The Travel Guide | 20.05.2017

In the Footsteps of Martin Luther
TravelMay 22, 2017
Check-in 20.05.2017. Nicole Frölich

Wittenberg: In the footsteps of Martin Luther

Check-in presenter Nicole Frölich explores historic sites of the Protestant Reformation.
TravelMay 19, 201707:49 min
Deutschland Playmobil Ausstellung anlässlich dem Reformationsjubiläum im Evangelischen Kirchenbezirk Mühlacker

On the road with Martin Luther 

The must-sees in Luther year: a tour of Eisenach and Wartburg Castle with a Playmobil Luther character.
CultureMay 18, 2017
The Lutherhaus in Wittenberg (Stiftung Luthergedenkstätten in Sachsen-Anhalt, Photo: Anne Hasselbach)

500 years of Martin Luther's influence on show

To celebrate 500 years of Reformation, an exhibition in Wittenberg showcases those who have been influenced by Luther.
CultureMay 15, 2017
Reformator Martin Luther (picture alliance/dpa/N.Neetz), Portrait

Martin Luther across the centuries

Spectacular art and objects are on view at the Wittenberg national exhibition celebrating 500 years of the Reformation.
CultureMay 15, 201711 images
Deutschland Lutherpreis «Das unerschrockene Wort»

Out and about in Luther's Eisleben

The reformer was born in Eisleben, where he also died. Today the town is a UNESCO-World Heritage Site.
TravelMay 10, 2017
Deutschland Lutherpreis «Das unerschrockene Wort»

Out and about in Luther's Eisleben

The reformer was born in Eisleben, where he also died. Today the town is a UNESCO-World Heritage Site.
TravelMay 10, 201714 images
Euromaxx 9.05.2017 Wartburg

Luther in Eisenach and at the Wartburg Castle 

Wartburg Castle hopes to welcome many visitors in 2017 as Martin Luther left his mark here.
CultureMay 10, 2017
The Wartburg castle in Eisenach

Rebel or ruffian: Who was Martin Luther?

A new exhibition in Eisenach explores the relationship between Luther and the people of Germany.
CultureMay 4, 2017
Martin Luther nails his 95 thesis to a door in this picture by Ferdinand Pauwels

Rebel or ruffian: Who was Martin Luther?

An exhibition at the Wartburg Castle in Eisenach explores the many identities of the famous reformer Martin Luther.
CultureMay 4, 20177 images
Two kids playing with Playmobil figurines as part of the exhibition in Mühlacker (Photo: Evangelischer Kirchenbezirk Mühlacker/M. Gutekunst )

Kids in Germany use Playmobil to reenact the Reformation

500 years after the Reformation, children in Germany have replicated scenes from Martin Luther's life - with Playmobil.
CultureApril 27, 2017
Luther and companions portrait from 1625/1650 from the exhibition "The Luther Effect"

The Luther effect: How Protestantism went global

Martin Luther didn't just spark a church reformation, but a global movement. An exhibition examines his wider impact.
CultureApril 11, 2017
Luther and companions painted in 1625/1650 (c) Deutsches Historisches Museum

The Reformation: The Luther effect goes global

To mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Berlin's German Historical Museum presents "The Luther Effect."
CultureApril 11, 20179 images
Kunstpalast Düsseldorf - Ausstellnug Cranach: Meister - Marke - Moderne: Chinesische Kopien der Lucrezia von Cranach als Wandtapete in der Ausstellung

How Lucas Cranach, the Elder, became an entrepreneur

Works by Lucas Cranach, the Elder, can now be admired in a major exhibition in Dusseldorf.
CultureApril 10, 2017
Mossul Bartella Weihnachten Andacht Kirche

WorldLink: Sidelined voices

On this week's show, we meet Iraqi Christians who are struggling to rebuild their lives after escaping "Islamic State" rule, and a Syrian journalist in Germany who is unable to return home. Plus, how scientists are using the impacts of climate change to make music, and the man working to keep Martin Luther King's message of love and nonviolence alive.
PoliticsMarch 31, 201758:59 min
USA Stephon Ferguson in Atlanta

The message of Martin Luther King

American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot in Memphis, Tennessee on April 4, 1968. Almost 50 years on, his dream of a world of racial equality hasn't yet become a reality. And for Stephon Ferguson, pictured, King's message of love and nonviolence is still as important as ever.
PoliticsMarch 31, 201708:04 min
500 years Reformation - Here I stand-Project - oepning (Landesamt für Denkmalschutz und Archäologie in Sachsen-Anhalt (LDA)/R. Noack)

3D replicas spread wealth of Luther artifacts

To mark 500 years of the Protestant Reformation, dozens of artifacts related to Martin Luther have been digitized.
CultureFebruary 24, 2017
Washington, DC Parade für Martin Luther King Jr

African-Americans ponder Obama's legacy

Daniella Cheslow reports from the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade in Washington ahead of the Obama-Trump handover.
PoliticsJanuary 17, 2017
15th-century cups found at Schlosshof in Wittenberg

15th-century disposable cups found in Luther's Wittenberg

Archaeologists have found the shards of porcelain cups that were thrown away by wealthy revelers over 500 years ago.
CultureJanuary 9, 2017
Deutschland Martin Luther Statue Eisleben

Luther 2017 in Germany

Five hundred years ago, Martin Luther penned his 95 Theses, and sparked the Protestant Reformation.
CultureJanuary 2, 2017
DW Arts.21 logo

Arts.21 - The Cultural Magazine | 31.12.2016

Arts.21 features Luther 2017, the Elbphilarmonie concert hall, and the Documenta art show.
CultureJanuary 2, 2017
Portrait of Martin Luther by Lucas Cranach, the Elder, 1532

LA museum shows Reformation-era art

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art has opened a show on German art from the 16th century.
CultureNovember 21, 2016
Albrecht Dürer's portrait of Bernhard von Reesen, 1521, (Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister/Elke Estel, Hans-Peter Klut)

Martin Luther and the Renaissance on show in Los Angeles

As the Luther Year begins, a museum in LA sheds light on an era shaped by Martin Luther and the Reformation.
CultureNovember 21, 201610 images