Visit Coburg: See the Veste (Fortress) Where Luther Hid in 1530 During the Augsburg Confession

The Veste Coburg (Fortress). Although Luther had expected to just pass through Coburg en route to Nuremberg, he ended up staying several months as the Free City of Nuremberg refused to host him. So from April 24 to October 4, 1530, during the Augsburg Debates and Confession, Luther stayed incognito in this magnificent fortress . His room, the "Furstenbau" (Prince's Lodging) is preserved as a museum. He had several Bible verses painted on the wall for encouragement: Psalm 1:6, Psalm 118:17, and Psalm 74:21.
The Veste is an important art center, including 26 paintings by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1472-1553), Albrecht Dürer (1471 - 1528), and Rembrandt van Rijn (1606 - 69).
It's open April-Oct.: Tue-Sun 10am to 5pm, Nov-March: Tue-Sun 1-4pm. Closed on: Dec 24, 25 and 3. Click here to visit the web site, available in English and German.

Pfarrkirche St. Moritz. (Parish Church of St. Moritz). While Luther was living in Coburg in 1530, and before he moved into the Veste, he preached in this church several times during the Easter season.

Marktplatz. (Marketplace). This magnificent town square has a statue of Coburg's famous resident, Prince Albert.

The Rathaus(Town Hall) was built in 1577-79 and remodeled in the 18th century. Johann Strauss married his second wife, Adele in the Town Hall on August 15, 1887. Strauss had left his native Catholic Vienna, because the liberal patron of the arts Duke Ernst II was willing to dissolve his marriage to his former wife, actress Angelika Dittrich, in return for Strauss accepting citizenship of Coburg.

Schloss Ehrenburg. (Ehrenburg Palace). This was the official residence of the Duke of Coburg from 1547 - 1918. During the Reformation the Franconian monastery was dissolved and Duke Johann Ernst has a three-winged building put in its place. The name "Ehrenburg" means "Palace of honor". It was given this name because it was built without forced labor.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's apartments are richly ornamented. The first bathroom in Europe is mahogany paneled. Click here for the official web-site.

Schloss Callenberg. (Callenberg Palace). This was the ancestral seat of the knights of Callenberg until 1231.

Doll Museum. This is housed in the former home of poet Friedrich Rückert. The dolls and toys are arranged chronologically from 1800 - 1956. This museum offers a fascinating insight into the artistic craftsmanship of the 19th century tailors and the customs and furnishings of the time.