The Wartburg at Last!

It was a long but fast almost 3 hour ride on the Autobahn to Eisenach in what used to be called "East Germany". Since there is no speed limit on many parts of the road, it takes a little getting used to cars passing you at over 100 mph, when I am driving at 140 Kph, (about 75 mph). I am getting used to German roads even if I don't understand the signs...



Outside view of castle Wartburg and entrance

We had just enough time to see the Wartburg castle which was begun in the 11th century and was old and beautiful by the time Martin Luther was hidden there in 1521 for his own safety. Under the false identity of Junker Jorg, he translated the New Testament into German in just 6 weeks. This was the first time in history outside of the earliest centuries that the Bible had been translated into the language of the common people. While there for almost 2 years, he translated the rest of the Bible and wrote many short booklets on various topics, yet he felt that he wasn't being useful. However, this forced time of "getting away from it all" helped change history and recharged him for the future of the Reformation. Maybe this was his Sabbatical.