Die Großen Schuhe Luthers

Luther's Great Shoes are two oversized bronze shoes embedded in Worms' Heylshof Garden that mark the exact spot where Martin Luther stood before the Diet in 1521. The shoes are life-sized and invite visitors to stand directly at this historic location.

The memorial commemorates the Diet of Worms in 1521, when Luther refused to retract his writings and was subsequently excommunicated by the Catholic Church. This act of resistance became the turning point that sparked the Protestant Reformation.

The shoes invite visitors to stand where Luther defended his convictions, creating a physical connection to this pivotal moment of the Reformation. This direct experience makes the historical event tangible and personal for those who visit.

The garden features wheelchair-accessible pathways that make it easy to visit the memorial and explore the surrounding area comfortably. Informational signs are available in multiple languages to help visitors understand the historical context.

The shoes were created in 2017 and allow visitors to literally step into Luther's exact position and experience how he stood during this pivotal moment. This interactive art installation connects physical experience with historical learning in an unusual way.