The town of Mansfeld is also known by another name, i.e., it’s got the added title of Lutherstadt. Still haven’t heard of the place? Um, it’s named for its most famous citizen, Martin Luther; and lies on the scenic route the Lutherweg.
Martin Luther was, and still is, a very big deal here. A lot of what’s to see and do revolves around him and his name. Just about everywhere you turn around there’s a school, a house, or even a fountain with his name on it.
Even streets are named for the town’s good son, and you never know what goodies you might find on the Lutherstraße. At Lutherstraße 38 is the Zur Guten Quelle, one of the oldest Inns in Saxony-Anhalt. Come to think of it, it’s one of the oldest guesthouses in Germany, built in 1430!
The St. Georg Church might not be named after him, but there’s a life size painting of him inside. And Mansfeld is one of the only places to have a statue of Martin Luther as a young boy (it’s at the Elternhaus).
Luther’s house still stands in Mansfeld. He moved here in 1484 as a baby. Schloss Mansfeld is still here, too. It was built in 1229 — and this too can only be seen from the outside as it’s a Christian Youth Center now, unless you’re on a religious retreat. But, I’d call staying in a medieval castle a heavenly experience, so it’s all a religious experience. ;-)
Luther’d out? A visit to the Mansfeld Museum might be a good idea. Here you’ll find 800 years of the town’s mining history. Or, just a swim in the town’s outdoor pool will help float the day’s stress away. And as you’re close to the massive Harz, imagine what kind of hiking and walking trails you can easily get to.
So, regardless of what you came to Mansfeld for, you’ll be captivated by its history, its stories, its countryside, and by its most notable resident.
