Luther and the Reformation

In 1517, the Augustan monk Dr. Martin Luther (1483 - 1545) wanted a discussion on 95 theses that named malpractices of the church. In the following years, he published a number of documents that were felt to be heretical. In these writings, he rejected the teachings and practices of the church that diverged from the Gospel, and he demanded reform. The Pope had him declared an outlaw.

Emperor Charles V had Luther summoned to appear before the Imperial Diet. He wanted Luther to recant his writings. Luther rejected this demand because they could not be refuted on the basis of the Bible. The Emperor imposed an imperial ban on Luther, but this proved ineffective. Elector Frederick of Saxony, Luther’s local secular ruler, gave him protection.
Since none of the buildings where Luther stayed or appeared have survived, there are monuments and commemorative sites in the city as reminders of Luther’s appearance at the Diet.

Luther Library

The city library has a Luther Library with more than 650 documents from the time of the Reformation, including some by Luther and by Melanchthon. The most valuable of these is a parchment Bible from the year 1541 with a handwritten entry by the reformer himself.
Take a look

Luther’s liking for wine

Luther liked to drink wine and had a special weakness for wine made from Malvasia grapes. Wine from this very old grape variety can be tasted at a winery very near Worms : 

Weingut in Eich