Lutherbuche, Historical tree site in Altenstein, Germany
The Lutherbuche is a 10-meter monument made of Seeberger sandstone with a square column topped by Gothic details. The structure stands near Altenstein Castle and marks an important spot in this historic landscape.
On May 4, 1521, soldiers of Elector Frederick the Wise stopped Martin Luther at this location as he traveled back from the Diet of Worms. This event was later marked with a monument to record the episode for future generations.
The site is named after an old beech tree where legend says Martin Luther found shelter during his journey. Today a memorial connects this place to how the region understands the Reformation and personal freedom.
The monument sits about two kilometers southwest of Steinbach and can be reached by paths near Altenstein Castle and Park. The Rennsteig hiking trail runs past to the north, making it easy to include this site in a longer walk.
When the original tree fell in a storm in 1841, its wood was distributed to create memorial pieces now found in Germany, England, and Sweden. These scattered relics connect different places through a shared past.
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