Merchant's Church
The Protestant Kaufmannskirche on the northern Anger is one of the city’s oldest parish churches and is the only church in Erfurt with two towers. Its Romanesque predecessor was first mentioned in 1248 and served as a church for the merchants living in Erfurt. After the devastating city fire of 1291, it was rebuilt as a three-nave Gothic basilica with a High Gothic choir and two Romanesque tower sections, and has essentially been preserved in this form to this day.
The church is one of the authentic Luther sites. It was here that Martin Luther delivered an important sermon on October 22, 1522: “On the Cross and Suffering of a Christian.” In commemoration of this significant sermon, a cross-shaped memorial stone is located on the outer church wall. The Erfurt Luther Monument is also situated directly in front of the church.
The Kaufmannskirche is considered the family church of the Bachs. The church records list more than 100 baptisms, weddings, and funerals of this Erfurt family of musicians. In 1668, Johann Sebastian Bach’s parents were also married here. After the family moved to Eisenach, there were regular “Bach Family Days,” for which Johann Sebastian Bach would also travel to Erfurt.
From May through October, a free public guided tour takes place on the first Thursday of every month at 2:00 p.m. The meeting point is at the Luther Monument.
Distance to Public Transport
160 Meters ( Streetcar )
Parking Facilities near by
Hirschlachufer 7
99084 Erfurt
info@stadtwerke-erfurt.de
+49 361 5641666
Futterstraße 8
99084 Erfurt
Anger 1
99084 Erfurt
servicecenter@q-park.de
+49 2181 8190290
General Information
Seating Possibilities Rest Area No Pets Allowed is Accessible for Free Public Access
Digital offers
Zero Digital Offer
Mobility offers
Bicycle Stands
Sanitation
Zero Sanitation
Photography
TakingPicturesPermitted
Year of construction
11th century.
Architecture
Gothic Art
Opening hours
21.03.2026 - 10.11.2026
You may also find the following of interest
Merchants' Bridge
Another Erfurt landmark is the Merchants' Bridge (Krämerbrücke), the longest series of inhabited buildings on any bridge in Europe.
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was born in Eisenach in 1685, a fact which - to this day - enriches Thuringia's cultural life in myriad ways.
Junkersand
Junkersand Erfurt – an idyllic spot by the water where Johann Sebastian Bach once worked. A historic place of tranquillity surrounded by greenery, centrally located in Erfurt.
