Wartburg Castle Foundation
Luther and the “Battle of the Bards”
Wartburg Castle, a magnificent monument of the feudal age in central Europe, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The symbolism of this place lies in its rich history as the venue of the legendary Battle of the Bards (Sängerkrieg), the charitable work of Saint Elisabeth, Luther’s visit and his translation of the Bible, the student-organised Wartburg Festival, and the 19th-century reconstruction of the fortress in the National Romantic style.
The Wartburg Castle Foundation was established in 1922. Its purpose is to preserve the fortress for future generations and make it accessible to the public as an important cultural site, monument and museum with permanent exhibitions. In addition to its tours, museum, medieval treasures and special exhibitions, the Wartburg offers an extensive programme of cultural events.