Luther’s Reformation

At Wartburg Castle, perched some 1,300 feet above the town of Eisenach, Luther took refuge and translated the New Testament into German.   (Amy S. Eckert/Chicago Tribune )

This living room of the Luther House in Wittenberg is where heated theology discussions would have taken place during Luther’s popular Table Talks with other religious scholars and guests.   (Amy S. Eckert/Chicago Tribune )

Visitors can see the room where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German in Wartburg Castle, Eisenach.   (Amy S. Eckert/Chicago Tribune )

Visitors look at original editions of Martin Luther’s 95 theses at the exhibition “Luther and the Germans” at Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, Germany. The exhibition continues through Nov. 5.   (Sean Gallup/Getty Images )

Wartburg Castle, where Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German, is billed as the most visited Luther site in the world.   (Amy S. Eckert/Chicago Tribune )

The Luther family crest can be found in the cobblestone streets of Eisleben, where the religious reformer was born and died.   (Amy S. Eckert/Chicago Tribune )

The doors of Castle Church in Wittenberg, where Martin Luther posted his 95 theses that questioned the Catholic Church and helped pave the way for the Protestant Reformation 500 years ago this October.   (Amy S. Eckert/Chicago Tribune )

Luther’s Death House in Eisleben houses a museum with more than 100 authentic artifacts, including historic furniture, documents and the original cloth that covered Luther’s coffin. It was long thought to be the house in which Luther died, but it’s now believed that he passed away in another property in town.   (Amy S. Eckert/Chicago Tribune )

Luther beer is one of the many Luther-related items for sale in Wittenberg, Germany.   (Amy S. Eckert/Chicago Tribune )

A Bible with Martin Luther’s handwritten notes in the margins is on display at the Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt, Germany.   (Amy S. Eckert/Chicago Tribune )

A Playmobil Martin Luther is among the many souvenirs visitors can find in Wittenberg, which is expecting an influx of visitors for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation on Oct. 31.   (Amy S. Eckert/Chicago Tribune )