750 Years of the Protestant Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt
The Augustinian monastery is a now rare example of medieval monastic architecture and a place of outstanding historical significance. The famous reformer Martin Luther lived for several years at the monastery of the Augustinian Hermits. After his ordination as a priest in St Mary’s Cathedral, he served as a pastor at the monastery. Today, the monastery is not only an important site associated with Luther, but also a vibrant centre for social gatherings, conferences, spirituality and church life. The anniversary year 2027 invites visitors to discover 750 years of eventful history, experience the present and shape the future.
Discover the highlights of the Augustinian Monastery:
House of Reconciliation and ‘Place of Silence’
The House of Reconciliation was built on the site of the former monastery library. In the ‘Place of Silence’, you will see a special cross: the Cross of Nails from Coventry.
Historical Library of the Protestant Ministry
The library was founded in 1646 as an endowment by the Protestant ministers, who are united within the Protestant Ministry as an advisory body.
The Chapter House
The chapter house in the east wing of the cloister, built in the first half of the 14th century, is one of the monastery’s most aesthetically striking rooms.
The Cloister
The cloister of the Protestant Augustinian monastery in Erfurt is a place of tranquillity and contemplation.
The Augustinian Church in Erfurt
The parish church of St Philippi and St Jacobi already stood on the site now occupied by the Augustinian Church as early as 1131.
Permanent exhibition "Frustration and Freedom“
It was at the Protestant Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt that Martin Luther’s quest for a liberating faith began; it was also here that a pivotal moment in the history of democracy took place: in the spring of 1850, when the Erfurt Union Parliament called for a united Germany and greater civil rights, and in the autumn of 1989, when the Augustinian Monastery became a centre for the promotion of democracy and freedom in society.
The exhibition highlights the three historical events that are closely linked to this site.
The exhibition can be visited as part of:
the daily guided tour of the monastery at 11 am (only in German)
Price: €8.50 per person
a monastery tour with an audio guide [Available from reception]
Monday – Friday: 10 am – 4 pm
Saturday 11 am – 2 pm | Sundays and public holidays: 11 am – 12.30 pm
Price: €8.50 per person
Führungen
In the Augustinian Monastery’s anniversary year, visitors can look forward to an expanded range of guided tours, including special themed tours that bring the history and significance of this unique place to life in a new way. The programme is complemented by the tried-and-tested, regular guided tours, which offer fascinating insights into monastic life, the architecture and the building’s eventful past throughout the year.
Please note
The mentioned public guided tours are only available in German. If you would like to book an English private guided tour please contact: fuehrungen[AT]augustinerkloster[DOT]de
Special anniversary tours
Life in Luther’s time.
A tour of the Augustinian Monastery with Brother Basilius or Sister Hildegard. Experience daily life in the monastery in period costume
Duration: 1.5 hours
Price: €15.00 (per person)
Guided tours of the treasures of the 380-year-old library
with Dr M. Ludscheidt, Head Librarian
Price: €6.00 (per person)
Regular public guided tours
Guided tour of the Augustinian Monastery & Luther’s Cell
Tour times: daily at 11.00 am
Duration: approx. 1 hour
Price: €9.00 (per person
“Luther’s Sleepless Nights in Erfurt”
An evening candlelit tour of the Augustinian Monastery, including a nightcap in the cloister.
Tour times: every Friday
May – September: 9.00 pm
October – April: 8.00 pm
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Price: €15.00 (per person)
"A culinary tour of the monastery”
The Augustinian monastery is a place steeped in history. We’ll bring history to life for you (with a selection of tasty snacks)
Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
Price: €17.00 (per person)
“Joy of Life and Torments of the Soul” – Luther in Erfurt
Guided tour of authentic sites associated with Luther: through the Augustinian monastery with its Renaissance courtyard, Luther’s cell, chapter house, cloister and church, past the Georgenburse (student hall of residence), Collegium Maius (university) and St Michael’s Church, ending at the Cathedral Square. Includes trail mix and bitter liqueur.
Duration: approx. 1.5–2 hours
Price: €13.00 (per person)
Event highlights
A varied programme awaits visitors in this anniversary year.
It bridges the gap between the early days and the present, personal stories and social issues, the sharing of knowledge and emotional experiences.
Spring and Summer
21.03.2027 | 5.00 pm
Theater Erfurt – Opening Night
Bach’s 342nd Birthday
St Matthew Passion with the Augustinerkantorei as part of the Thuringian Bach Weeks
Mai – September 2027
The Reliability of Change – 750 Years of the Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt
Theatre in the Cloister: 750 Years of Life at the Augustinian Monastery with Annette Seibt
Performances:
Premiere: 06 Mai 2027, 7.30 pm
Further dates: respectively 7.30 pm
May
07 + 08 May
21 + 22 May
June
04 + 05 June
18 + 19 June
July
02 + 03 July
August
13 + 14 Aug.
27 + 28 Aug.
September
03 + 04 Sept.
10 + 11 Sept.
05./12./19./26.06.2027 | 4.00 pm
“Monastic Silence – The Sound of the Harp”
A musical tour of the monastery in summer with Anne Bezzel
13.06.2027 | 12.00 pm
Open Gardens Day
Harp concert “Marital Bliss and Garden Delights”: Luther the Bridegroom, Luther the Gardener 3
13.06.2027 | 18.30 Uhr
Luther’s Wedding
A dramatised performance in the cloister featuring the original wedding feast on the anniversary of Luther’s wedding
19.06./17.07./21.08.2027 | 9.00 pm
Candlelit concerts in the cloister
19.06.2027 – Vocalkreis, conducted by Ingrid Kasper
17.07.2027 – Quadroton male vocal quartet
21.08.2027 – Ars Musica Thuringian male choir
04.07. – 29.08.2027 | 9.30 am
Of lions, whales and locusts
The animal-themed message in the Bible
Series of services at the Rosenkirche, followed by an aperitif
17.07.2027
Rose Festival to mark the anniversary of Luther’s entry into the monastery
9.30 am: Festive service at the Rosenkirche – followed by a photo shoot in historical costume, dancing, food and drink, rose punch, guided tours, and activities centred on roses
5./12./19./26.09.2027 | 6.00 pm
Turmblasen
Tower brass playing from various towers in Erfurt (free of charge)
Festival Week (4. – 12.09.2027)
All week: Medieval festivities on the monastery grounds with Kulturoase e.V., live role-playing games, Thuringian Protestant Academy/Junker Jörg Youth Education Centre
04.09.2027
Parade through the city centre in medieval costumes
05.09.2027 | 10.00 am
Festive church service
with Regional Bishop Friedrich Kramer and the Augustinerkantore
10.09.2027 | 7.30 pm
“Beer” concert with the vocal ensemble under the direction of I. Kasper
An evening of songs about barley brew – with tasting
11.09.2027 | 1.00 – 5.00 pm
Erfordia Turrita
Tower-rich Erfurt opens its gates (free of charge)
11.09.2027 | 6.00 pm
Ecumenical Erfurt Choir Night
with concerts at
Kaufmannskirche (6.00 pm)
Augustinerkirche (7.00 pm)
Predigerkirche (8.00 pm)
Severikirche (9.00 pm)
St. Mary’s Cathedral (10.00 pm)
Autumn and Winter
29.10. – 31.10.2027
Bach Cantata Weekend
Sing-along to BWV 190. Accommodation offered by the Augustinian Monastery for the singing community from across Germany. Musical accompaniment for the Reformation Festival service
30.10.2027 | 7.00 pm
Night of the Revenants
Historical figures from the Augustinian Monastery come to life
31.10.2027 | 9.30 am
Festive service featuring a Bach cantata for the congregation to sing along to, with Heinrich Bedford Strohm, former President of the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany
10.11.2027
St Martin’s Day
5.00–5.30 pm: St Martin’s Day celebrations for families in the cloister
6.00 pm: St Martin’s Day celebrations on Cathedral Square
7.00 pm: Trombone music and St Martin’s songs in the cloister
7.30 pm: Augustinian dinner to mark Luther’s birthday, with beer and cheese
28.11. + 5./12./19.12.2027 | 5.00 pm
Advent music in the cloister
28.11.2027 – 06.01.2028 | 4.00 – 7.00 pm
The Other Advent
Light and sound installation in the Augustinian Church (free of charge)
Download Flyer "750 Years of the Augustinian Monastery"
