Wittenberg, Germany

Wittenberg (officially named Lutherstadt Wittenberg) is the German city most associated with Martin Luther (1483-1546), leader of the German Reformation. The Luther sites of Wittenberg were together designated a World Heritage Site in 1996, along with Eisleben. Wittenberg lies 68km (42 miles) northeast of Leipzig and 100km (62 miles) southwest of Berlin. A pleasant German town in its own right, Wittenberg's Luther sites attract Protestant pilgrims and history buffs from all over the world. Wittenberg's other famous son was humanist Philipp Melanchthon (1497-1560), a Protestant reformer and scholar and friend of Luther. Both are honored with bronze statues in front of the Rathaus (town hall).

On the door of this church in 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses against the sale of indulgences - and launched the Reformation. The church contains the tombs of Luther, Melanchthon and Frederick the Wise.