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Gotha Research Library invites to a special guided tour on Reformation Day

On Reformation Day, 31 October, at 2 pm, the Gotha Research Library of the University of Erfurt once again invites all those interested to a special thematic tour of the historical exhibition rooms in the east wing of Friedenstein Palace. This year's tour is entitled "Luther and the Bible".

Martin Luther's translation of the Bible is still an essential testimony to the Reformation today. After the Wittenberg reformer refused to recant his teachings to Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms in April 1521, a politically difficult but theologically incredibly fruitful time began for him. In order to remove him from the focus of the major political situation, the Saxon Elector Frederick the Wise had him arrested by armed men on his return journey to Wittenberg in the night of 5 May 1521 and taken to Wartburg Castle near Eisenach. In the autumn, Martin Luther began translating the New Testament into German at the fortress. He used a copy of the Greek Bible by Erasmus of Rotterdam as a model, together with his own Latin translation and the Vulgate. This event is the starting point of the thematic guided tour through the historical rooms of the Gotha Research Library, in which the significance of the Holy Scriptures for Protestantism will be demonstrated by means of selected manuscripts and historical prints, especially works from the Bible. The tour will be led by Dr Hendrikje Carius, historian and deputy director of the library.

The Gotha Research Library preserves an outstanding collection of manuscripts, bequests and autographs on the intellectual-historical foundations and the formative phase of the Reformation, as well as on its history of impact and the life of Protestantism up to the middle of the 18th century. The so-called Reformation manuscripts from the 16th century alone comprise 260 volumes with almost 16,000 individual documents.

Please note

The "3G" rule applies to the event. Qualified mouth and nose protection must also be worn during the tour. The number of participants is limited to 15. Registration by 29 October is therefore strongly recommended. Admission is free. However, a donation for the Friends of the Gotha Research Library is requested.

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further information / contact:

Sascha Salatowsky
Dr. Sascha Salatowsky
Head of Corporate Communications
(Gotha Research Library)
Gotha Research Library (Gotha, Schlossplatz 1)
Office hours
on appointment
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