Lutherstein, Glacial erratic and natural monument in Dübener Heide, Germany

The Lutherstein is a large granite boulder positioned on elevated ground surrounded by oak trees in the Düben Heath region. The stone measures roughly two meters by one meter and sits among typical woodland vegetation of the area.

The Lutherstein is a glacial erratic of biotite granite, about two by one metre, left in the Dübener Heide by ice-age movements. Its link to Luther rests on tradition: he is said to have rested here in 1508 on his way from Erfurt to Wittenberg, and in June 1519 Wittenberg students accompanied him to this point on the road to the Leipzig Disputation. In 1817, for the 300th Reformation anniversary, the inscription "Eine Feste Burg ist Gott" was carved into the stone and its surroundings were laid out.

The inscription "Eine Feste Burg ist Gott" was carved in 1817 for the 300th Reformation anniversary, together with the planting of the surrounding oaks and lindens. Fainter letters "D.M.L." stand for Dr. Martin Luther. Folk tales tell of Luther preaching from the stone to Wittenberg students returning from the Leipzig Disputation in 1519.

The site can be accessed from Federal Highway 2 between Bad Düben and Kemberg, with a designated parking area nearby. The short walk from the parking area to the stone is straightforward and accessible for most visitors.

The hollows on the weathered surface are called Näpfchen or Schälchen, and some have been read as Bronze Age sky depictions. Look also for the faint letters "D.M.L." cut into the stone, standing for Dr. Martin Luther, which are harder to find than the 1817 hymn line.