Eisenach

A city of Luther and Bach on the edge of the Thuringian Forest. The Wartburg on the hilltop, a World Heritage Site, is where Luther translated the New Testament, and the town has Luther's House and the Bach House Museum.

Eisenach lies in western Thuringia, at the northwestern edge of the Thuringian Forest. It is about 2 hours from Frankfurt and about 45 minutes from Erfurt by train, and both ICE and IC trains stop here. This town of about 40,000 people is a holy site of the German Reformation and of music history. Martin Luther studied here as a boy. In 1521–1522 he hid in the Wartburg on the hill south of town and translated the New Testament into German there. Johann Sebastian Bach was born here in 1685. The Wartburg was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1999.

There are two parts to exploring the town. The old town centers on the market square and St. George's Church, where Bach was baptized. Nearby are Luther's House, the Bach House Museum, the Nikolaitor (Nicolas Gate) and a statue of Luther. On the hillside to the south is Villa Reuter, home of the Richard Wagner Museum. To the north, the Automobile Museum tells the history of the Wartburg car brand. Half a day on foot is enough for the old town. For the mountains and forests, walk or take the bus up to the Wartburg. Arrive early to avoid tour groups. On the way down, you can follow the gorges of Drachenschlucht (Dragon Gorge) and Grafenschlucht (Count's Gorge). About 25 km northeast, the Hainich National Park, a World Heritage beech forest, has a canopy walkway. About 40 km southwest, the Cold War border memorial Point Alpha is worth a visit. The Rennsteig ridge trail also starts from Hörschel, on the west side of town.

The best season is May to October, and the autumn colors in the forest are at their finest. In December the Wartburg hosts a historic Christmas market, and weekend visits need a reservation. Plan to stay 1–2 days. The Thuringia Card gives free or discounted entry to most sights.

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