The Land of Luther

By Erin Caslavka

Almost 500 years ago, a document was written that was considered blasphemous, earned its author a death sentence and changed the face of the Christian faith forever.

On October 31, 1517, a former monk nailed his “95 Theses” to a church door in Wittenberg, Germany. With that simple act, Martin Luder (his birth name) opened the vault to a piercing view of the religious doctrines and practices of the powerful Roman Catholic church, and the Reformation was born.

Flash forward about half-a-millennium and today you’ll find faithful followers of Martin Luther’s doctrines (as well as history buffs and culture junkies) making their way through what’s now known as “LutherCountry,” an area that encompasses the neighboring states of Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia. Located between Berlin and Frankfurt, this part of Germany evokes a fairytale feeling with its castles, palaces and forests while simultaneously embracing all the modern comforts of city living.

Meeting and event planners looking for a special destination to hold their next conferences should consider a trip to LutherCountry, especially given the opportunity to participate in some of the events planned for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation.

One notable city for events is Eisenach. Towering above the city center is Wartburg Castle, where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German while in hiding. Inside the castle (the only one in Germany to hold UNESCO World Heritage Site status), you’ll find the magnificently decorated banquet hall. With approximately 1,150 square feet of space running the length and width of the palace, meetings and special events are often held here. In the town center, the 127-room Steigenberger Hotel Thuringer Hof (with eight conference rooms that can accommodate up to 200) offers a basic conference package that makes meeting planning simple. For a night out, conference attendees can walk to the Lutherstuben restaurant inside the Hotel Eisenacher Hof to enjoy a candlelit meal typical of what Martin Luther would have eaten in his day.

Considered Luther’s spiritual home, Erfurt is where he studied, became a monk and lived in an Augustinian monastery. He was also ordained as a priest there. Each year on November 10, Erfurt holds its annual St. Martin’s festival, but the city is spectacular any time of year. Nicknamed the “Rome of the North” due to its gorgeous steeples and spires, the city center is one of the best-preserved medieval sections in Germany. With 68 rooms and suites, Victor’s Residenz-Hotel offers eight conference rooms that can accommodate up to 400, and offers packages at various price points.

Aside from those in Eisenach and Erfurt, LutherCountry offers a variety of meeting venues. One especially worthy of consideration is the Kurhaus in Wiesbaden, which can accommodate up to 3,000. With its antique-style foyer and soaring cupola, it’s considered one of the most extraordinary conference centers in Germany. And while not technically in LutherCountry, the 218-room Jumeirah Frankfurt (within 20 minutes of the airport and easy walking distance of the underground station) is a spectacular new addition to the hotel scene. Planners looking for top-notch accommodations in the heart of the city will be delighted with its 2,000-sq.-ft. Crystal Ballroom, which features thousands of crystals embedded into the ceiling, and four meeting rooms.