Castles, Cathedrals & Confessions: Coburg Castle...and more!

We left Oberammergau early on July 15th in order to arrive in Erfurt on schedule. This was our longest "bus day" for the entire trip. As we traded the Alps for the rolling Thuringian farmlands, I realized what an impression the mountains had left on me. I found myself missing the misty peaks, the forest greenery, and the fairy-tale village of Oberammergau. However, we were both thrilled to finally begin to see historic Martin Luther sites.

On our way to Erfurt, we passed through Nuremberg, where the famous trials following the Second World War took place. We arrived in Coburg for a brief lunch break before visiting Veste Coburg (Coburg Fortress).We dined at a charming 400-year-old restaurant, where we shared a Coburger (a 10-inch sausage) and a lager. Then, we briskly walked the streets of Coburg in search of a church where Martin Luther preached. We found it...barely!

Stadkirche St. Moriz (where Luther preached)

Time was running short, but I really wanted to see the organ (even though I'd already seen at least 6 by this point)...

After David dragged me out of the church, we went to the Veste Coburg, where Martin Luther stayed in 1530 during the Diet of Augsburg. During his stay, he worked on his translation of the Book of Ezekiel. He also complained that Coburg wine was too sour. As it turns out, it was later discovered that the climate was too cold for grape cultivation, so wine is no longer produced in this city.

It would have taken at least a full day to see everything in the castle, but we hadn't the time for that because we needed to arrive in Erfurt before dinnertime. Below are some pictures of the major highlights of the castle.