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Reformation

The Reformation, initiated by German monk Martin Luther in the 16th century, was a schism from the Roman Catholic Church that would later result in the Protestant denomination.

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All Content on this topic

People interview a man in the church in front of the spectacular altar.

Naumburg Cathedral painting causes controversy

Painter Michael Triegel created a new work for the Naumburg Cathedral with personal touches. Will it be able to remain?
CultureJuly 12, 2022
Meet the Germans Kirche

Germany and the church

Rachel Stewart looks at Germany's religious history and the presence of the church in public life today.
CultureApril 13, 202207:23 min
A painting of Martin Luther wearing a floppy hat.

8 things to know about the Luther Bible

From ink stains to women lost in translation, here are a few facts about Luther's Bible, translated 500 years ago.
CultureJanuary 5, 2022
Peter Maffay Helene Fischer Herbert Grönemeyer H.P. Baxxter Campino Marteria

German musicians criticize copyright reform

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Golden Globes announce diversity reforms

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Sarah Willis and Yuniet Lombido playing horn and saxophone in a street in Havanna

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A year after her beloved project “Mozart y Mambo,” horn player Sarah Willis returns to Cuba.  
CultureJanuary 23, 202106:39 min
Kombobild Martin Luther Donald Trump

What Trump and Luther have in common

The exhibition "From Luther to Twitter" explores the connection between media and politics throughout history.
CultureSeptember 10, 2020
Saudi Arabien | Prinz Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi Arabia's past drives uncertain future

The drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities last week were the latest manifestation of a long and complex history.
CultureSeptember 24, 2019
DW Sendung popxport Glasperlenspiel

Pop music and Christian faith in Germany

The 500th anniversary of the Reformation. How much do Christianity and pop music have in common?
MusicMay 26, 201805:12 min
DW Sendung popxport Gospelrap

German Gospel rap

Rapping deacon Fil da¬ Elephant wants to spread the faith with gospel hip hop.
MusicMay 26, 201804:09 min
Pope Francis visit to Trujillo in Peru

5 years of Pope Francis

Pope Francis has been reforming the Catholic Church for five years, earning him both applause and criticism.
ReligionMarch 12, 201810 images
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Saudi Arabia's cultural changes

Movies, opera, travel: a strong wind of change appears to be blowing through the desert kingdom.
CultureFebruary 28, 2018
A drawing of Johannes Gutenberg standing over a book alongside others

'Gutenberg democratized knowledge'

He's considered the father of mass communication, thanks to his invention of the printing press with metal movable type.
CultureFebruary 3, 2018
DW Euromaxx - Yadegar Asisi

Luther's life in a 360° panorama

Artist Yadegar Asisi transports people back to the world of Luther 1517 in an enormous picture.
LifestyleNovember 4, 201704:58 min
DW Euromaxx - Luther-Musical

The Luther pop musical

The life of the reformer portrayed in a musical with a huge choir.
LifestyleNovember 1, 201704:50 min
DW Euromaxx - Luther-Jubiläum

Reformation anniversary highlights

500 years since the reformation: where and how the anniversary is being celebrated.
LifestyleNovember 1, 201705:35 min
German leaders commemorate the memory of Martin Luther in Wittenberg

Germany marks 500th anniversary of Reformation

German leaders gathered in Wittenberg to mark 500 years since Martin Luther began the Protestant Reformation.
ReligionOctober 31, 2017
Martin Luther Interview

What would Martin Luther say?

En route to reforming Christianity, Martin Luther left behind a treasure trove of pithy quotes that address life.
ReligionOctober 30, 2017
Deutsches Historisches Museum, Ausstellung "Der Luther-Effekt"

Global impact

How have Protestant reformers affected the world? "The Luther Effect" exhibition provides some answers.
ReligionOctober 30, 201704:51 min
Deutschland Gemälde von Martin Luther

Who was Martin Luther?

Was Luther a superstar, a concerned citizen or an outlaw? A look at the man behind the myth.
CultureOctober 30, 201704:18 min
Evangelisch-lutherische Kirche in Lateinamerika - Campo Viera, Misiones

Luther and Latin America's Protestants

The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is an opportunity for Christianity's various sects to step out of their niches.
ReligionOctober 29, 2017
Check-in Tip 10.06.17

Luther to go - the merchandising star

From Luther chocolates to Luther socks, the marketing campaign doesn't miss a trick.
CultureOctober 28, 201701:47 min
09 BG Das erwartet uns im Oktober

Reformation Day quiz

On October 31, Germany is celebrating the Protestant Reformation's 500th anniversary. How much do you know about it?
TravelOctober 27, 2017
500 years Reformation:A painting by Bernard Plockhorst depicts Martin Luther playing music with his family on Christmas Eve

How Martin Luther became a Christian pop star

Martin Luther did not only reform the Church, but discovered the power of music as a songwriter and composer.
MusicOctober 26, 2017
09 BG Das erwartet uns im Oktober

Martin Luther's daring revolution

DW's Klaus Krämer looks at how Luther's reforms started a revolution.
CultureOctober 24, 2017
Deutschland Blick über Marburg

A tour through Luther's Marburg

In 1529 Martin Luther had an important appointment in the Hessian university town.
TravelJune 15, 2017
Thomanerchor at the Bachfest 2017

Bachfest opens with call for religious reconciliation

The event opened with a work intended to bring peace to a world frought with terrorism.
CultureJune 12, 2017
Die Wartburg bei Eisenach

Luther's beloved Eisenach

The Thuringian town is celebrating him in 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
TravelJune 9, 20179 images
Deutschland Schloss Hartenfels in Torgau

Torgau: Power center of the Reformation

Torgau on the river Elbe is significant location in the history of the Reformation.
TravelMay 30, 2017
Deutschland Schloß Hartenfels an der Elbe

Torgau: City of Renaissance & Reformation

Martin Luther often travelled from Wittenberg to Torgau, a mere 50 kilometers (31 mi) away.
TravelMay 30, 2017
DW euromaxx 26.05.2017 Kirchentag

At the Christian convention in Wittenberg

The German Protestant Kirchentag is drawing record crowds for the Reformation’s quincentenary.
CultureMay 27, 2017
01.2012 DW Euromaxx

Euromaxx - Lifestyle Europe | 27.05.2017

The Kirchentag Christian convention, London‘s Tower Bridge, and five unexpected materials for clothing.
CultureMay 27, 2017
Exhibition "Luther and the Avantgarde"- Achim Mohné

Martin Luther in art

The exhibition "Luther and the Avantgarde" in a former jail in Wittenberg shows works by 66 modern artists.
CultureMay 22, 2017
Deutsches Historisches Museum, Ausstellung "Der Luther-Effekt"

Global impact

How have Protestant reformers affected the world? An exhibition, The Luther Effect provides some answers.
CultureMay 22, 2017
DW Arts.21 Logo

Arts.21 - The Cultural Magazine | 20.05.2017

A special edition on the reformer Martin Luther, and his revolution. How did he change the world?
CultureMay 22, 2017
04.2016 Check-in (Sendungslogo)

Check-in - The Travel Guide | 20.05.2017

In the Footsteps of Martin Luther
TravelMay 22, 2017
Check-in 20.05.2017. Nicole Frölich

Wittenberg: In the footsteps of Martin Luther

Check-in presenter Nicole Frölich explores historic sites of the Protestant Reformation.
TravelMay 19, 201707:49 min
Deutschland Playmobil Ausstellung anlässlich dem Reformationsjubiläum im Evangelischen Kirchenbezirk Mühlacker

On the road with Martin Luther 

The must-sees in Luther year: a tour of Eisenach and Wartburg Castle with a Playmobil Luther character.
CultureMay 18, 2017
The Lutherhaus in Wittenberg (Stiftung Luthergedenkstätten in Sachsen-Anhalt, Photo: Anne Hasselbach)

500 years of Martin Luther's influence on show

To celebrate 500 years of Reformation, an exhibition in Wittenberg showcases those who have been influenced by Luther.
CultureMay 15, 2017
Reformator Martin Luther (picture alliance/dpa/N.Neetz), Portrait

Martin Luther across the centuries

Spectacular art and objects are on view at the Wittenberg national exhibition celebrating 500 years of the Reformation.
CultureMay 15, 201711 images
Deutschland Lutherpreis «Das unerschrockene Wort»

Out and about in Luther's Eisleben

The reformer was born in Eisleben, where he also died. Today the town is a UNESCO-World Heritage Site.
TravelMay 10, 2017
Euromaxx 9.05.2017 Wartburg

Luther in Eisenach and at the Wartburg Castle 

Wartburg Castle hopes to welcome many visitors in 2017 as Martin Luther left his mark here.
CultureMay 10, 2017
Two kids playing with Playmobil figurines as part of the exhibition in Mühlacker (Photo: Evangelischer Kirchenbezirk Mühlacker/M. Gutekunst )

Kids in Germany use Playmobil to reenact the Reformation

500 years after the Reformation, children in Germany have replicated scenes from Martin Luther's life - with Playmobil.
CultureApril 27, 2017
Luther and companions portrait from 1625/1650 from the exhibition "The Luther Effect"

The Luther effect: How Protestantism went global

Martin Luther didn't just spark a church reformation, but a global movement. An exhibition examines his wider impact.
CultureApril 11, 2017
Luther and companions painted in 1625/1650 (c) Deutsches Historisches Museum

The Reformation: The Luther effect goes global

To mark the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Berlin's German Historical Museum presents "The Luther Effect."
CultureApril 11, 20179 images
Kunstpalast Düsseldorf - Ausstellnug Cranach: Meister - Marke - Moderne: Chinesische Kopien der Lucrezia von Cranach als Wandtapete in der Ausstellung

How Lucas Cranach, the Elder, became an entrepreneur

Works by Lucas Cranach, the Elder, can now be admired in a major exhibition in Dusseldorf.
CultureApril 10, 2017
Türkei Erdogan wirft Deutschland «Nazi-Praktiken» vor

The strategy behind Edogan's 'Nazi' accusations

Erdogan is no longer recognizable as the reformer he once was, says his biographer in interview with DW.
CultureMarch 9, 2017
500 years Reformation - Here I stand-Project - oepning (Landesamt für Denkmalschutz und Archäologie in Sachsen-Anhalt (LDA)/R. Noack)

3D replicas spread wealth of Luther artifacts

To mark 500 years of the Protestant Reformation, dozens of artifacts related to Martin Luther have been digitized.
CultureFebruary 24, 2017
Deutschland Martin Luther Statue Eisleben

Luther 2017 in Germany

Five hundred years ago, Martin Luther penned his 95 Theses, and sparked the Protestant Reformation.
CultureJanuary 2, 2017
DW Arts.21 logo

Arts.21 - The Cultural Magazine | 31.12.2016

Arts.21 features Luther 2017, the Elbphilarmonie concert hall, and the Documenta art show.
CultureJanuary 2, 2017