The Wartburg dominates the wooded hill above Eisenach and is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Germany — and one of the most historically loaded. It was here that Martin Luther took refuge in 1521 after his excommunication and translated the New Testament into German. It was here that Elisabeth of Thuringia performed her famous acts of charity in the 13th century, and where German student fraternities gathered in 1817 to demand national unity. The castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Guided tours of the interior depart regularly; an English-language tour is available daily at 12:30. The main hall, the Luther Room, and the Palas (the Romanesque residential tower) are the highlights. The walk up through the forest from town takes about 40 minutes and is pleasant enough that most visitors prefer it to the shuttle bus.