Host Rick Steves with a 400-year-old Luther Bible in Rothenburg, Germany.
Stream now with KPBS+ / Watch Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 11 p.m. on KPBS TV / YouTube
In 1510, a young monk from Germany named Martin Luther walked 700 miles to Rome on a pilgrimage. He returned home disillusioned, and in 1517, raised 95 difficult theological questions at the university where he taught — and kicked off what became the Protestant Reformation. By questioning corrupt Catholic Church practices, Luther unleashed a torrent of public frustration and undercut the power of the Church.
Courtesy of Tim Frakes
Host Rick Steves and the bronze Luther statue in Wittenberg Market Square, Wittenberg, Germany.
In "Luther And The Reformation," travel expert Rick Steves sheds light on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation by visiting key sites (including Erfurt, Wittenberg and Rome), and explores the complicated political world of 16th-century Europe, from indulgences to iconoclasts, and from the printing press to the Counter-Reformation. It’s a story of power, rebellion and faith that precipitated change in Europe and Christianity forever, and contributed to the birth of our modern world.
Five hundred years ago, Martin Luther kicked off the Protestant Reformation, which contributed to the birth of our modern age. In this one-hour special — filmed on location in Europe — Rick Steves tells the story of a humble monk who lived a dramatic life. Rick visits key sites relating to the Reformation (including Erfurt, Wittenberg, and Rome) and explores the complicated political world of 16th-century Europe — from indulgences to iconoclasts, and from the printing press to the Counter-Reformation. It’s a story of power, rebellion, and faith that you’ll never forget.
For me, coming to Lutherland in Germany is a bit like a Catholic going to Rome. I'm really tuned in to the churches and the other physical reminders of the courageous accomplishments of the Reformation. Without those hard-fought reforms, the Bible would still be read in Latin by priests, and then interpreted for us on their terms. The 500th anniversary of Martin Luther kicking off the Reformation in 1517 is quickly approaching, and towns like Erfurt will enjoy lots of attention. Here's a quick visit to a great church in Erfurt, where Luther went to university, became a monk, and was ordained a priest.
Martin Luther went to law school in Erfurt, Germany, and today, this half-timbered medieval town remains an charming destination that Luther himself would recognize. This is the land of fairy tales and the Brothers Grimm, fine woodcarvers, and fanciful puppets.
While filming our Protestant Reformation special in Germany, I couldn’t resist stopping by a sight I’ve never heard of before that is related to the Reformation — the Panorama Museum in Bad Frankenhausen. Nearly unknown to American travelers, seeing this creative view of an epic event (the Peasants' War of 1525) is an amazing experience.
Sorry the audio on the video clip is weak — I had to whisper.
Jen is a web producer at KPBS, responsible for program promotion, membership-related activities, and is the editor of the KPBS community calendar. Jen has worked at KPBS since 2000. She is originally from Las Vegas and attended UNLV.
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