Augustinian Monastery, Erfurt

The Protestant Augustinian Monastery (Augustinerkloster) in Erfurt is where Martin Luther lived as a monk from 1505 to 1511. It sits in the old town of Thuringia's capital and combines Luther history, a Gothic church, historic monastery buildings and a modern exhibition. If you are interested in the Reformation, this is one of the most authentic Luther sites in Germany and a highlight of any Erfurt trip.

Where it is and how to get there

Erfurt is in the center of Germany, roughly two hours by high-speed ICE from Berlin or Frankfurt. The monastery is at Augustinerstrasse 10 in the old town. From the main station you can walk or take the tram to the center. We did not check parking, but the garages at the edge of the old town are usually the better choice.

Why it is worth a visit

Construction of the Augustinian friars' monastery began in 1276/77. Luther entered in 1505, celebrated his first Mass here in 1507 and left for Wittenberg in 1511. The church passed to a Protestant parish in 1525. In 1848 the Erfurt Union Parliament, which Otto von Bismarck attended, met in the church. A British air raid on 25 February 1945 destroyed parts of the complex, including the library, and 267 people died in the cellar shelter. The church was rebuilt between 1946 and 1957. Pope Benedict XVI visited in 2011, and a new permanent exhibition opened in 2025, covering Luther, the Union Parliament and the 1989 peaceful revolution.

What to see

• The church: a Gothic hall that is still used for services, with worship on Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
• Monastery buildings and cloister: the historic rooms where Luther lived, seen on the guided tour.
• Permanent exhibition: from Luther's time to the Union Parliament and the 1989 revolution.
• Historic library: visitors on the Monday-to-Friday tour can see it too, adding about 10 minutes.
• Memorial room: the former air-raid shelter commemorates the victims of 1945.

Tickets and opening hours (as of October 2026)

The monastery's website says a guided tour runs daily at 11 a.m. Individual visits with an audio guide were offered Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the 2024 program; we could not confirm this for 2026. We could not verify current admission prices, as sources give different figures, so call or write before you go. Tours are not described as being offered in English, so ask in advance if you need one.

Tips for visitors

Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours. The monastery is also a conference center and guesthouse, so check the event calendar before you visit. The website has a separate page on accessibility.

Nearby

The old town with the Merchants' Bridge (Krämerbrücke) and the cathedral hill are a short walk away. Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, where Luther translated the New Testament, makes a good day trip.