Character Catalog

The founding text of the Protestant Reformation, criticizing the sale of indulgences and the pope's authority over salvation. Widely disseminated thanks to the printing press, it triggered an unprecedented crisis within the Catholic Church.

A treatise expounding the central principle of Lutheran theology: justification by faith alone (sola fide), independent of works. This text stands as one of the most important doctrinal declarations of the Reformation.

A pamphlet addressed to the German princes calling on them to reform the Church without waiting for Rome. In it, Luther challenges the three 'walls' protecting papal power.

A theological treatise in which Luther reduces the Catholic sacraments from seven to two (baptism and the Eucharist), overturning medieval sacramental doctrine.

Completed in eleven weeks at Wartburg Castle, this translation made the Bible accessible to all German speakers. It played a major role in the standardization and enrichment of the German language.

A complete translation of the Bible into German, the fruit of twelve years of collective work. Considered a monument of German literature, it allowed every believer to read the Scriptures directly.

Religious instruction manuals — one intended for pastors, the other for laypeople and children. These texts structured Protestant theological education for centuries.

Indulgences cannot remove the guilt of even the slightest actual sin, with regard to contrition. [...] Every truly repentant Christian obtains full remission of penalty and guilt, even without a letter of indulgence.

My conscience is bound to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to act against one's conscience is neither safe nor honest. Here I stand, I can do no other. God help me.

A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none. A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all.

I have resolved to write to you to inform you that I am returning to Wittenberg under a far higher protection than that of princes. I do not intend to ask for your Electoral Grace's protection.

The Gospel is a story about Christ, the Son of God and of David, who died and rose for us [...] This is why the Gospel requires not many works from us, nor many things, but only one thing: faith.

City where Luther was a university professor and pastor. It was on the door of the Castle Church that he reportedly posted his 95 Theses in 1517, making Wittenberg the birthplace of the Reformation.

Medieval fortress where Luther was sheltered by Elector Frederick the Wise after the Diet of Worms in 1521. There he translated the New Testament into German in less than three months.

Imperial city where the Diet was held in 1521, before which Luther refused to recant before Charles V, sealing the definitive break with Rome.

Luther's birthplace, where he was born in 1483 and died in 1546. It now bears the name Lutherstadt Eisleben and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Monastery where Luther entered in 1505 and spent nearly seven years. It was there that he was ordained a priest in 1507 and began his profound theological reflections.

Luther's daily tool as a theologian and professor. It was through his intense study of it that he developed his ideas on justification by faith alone, challenging the Church's official interpretations.

Invented around 1450, it was the decisive ally of the Reformation. Without it, the 95 Theses could never have spread across all of Europe within just a few weeks.

Luther was a prolific author, writing sermons, treatises, letters, and pamphlets. More than 400 works are attributed to him over the course of his life.

A personal emblem created in 1530 at the request of the Elector of Saxony: a black cross in a red heart on a white rose. Luther himself explained its theological symbolism in a letter.

Luther wore the habit of the Augustinian order for nearly twenty years. When he abandoned it in 1524, the gesture publicly symbolized his definitive break with his monastic vows.

A passionate musician, Luther played the lute and considered music a gift from God. He composed hymns meant to be sung by the entire congregation, introducing vernacular-language singing into Protestant services.