Coming in 2017: Rick Steves Public Television Special about Martin Luther and the Reformation

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, he raised 95 difficult theological questions at the university where he taught — and kicked off what became the Protestant Reformation. This year, my crew and I will be filming a public television special to celebrate the 500th anniversary of that event.

Most of the show will be filmed in Germany later this summer. But this week in Rome, we took time out from producing our upcoming Easter special (more on that soon!) to film a few segments about Martin Luther.

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We were scouting for an evocative trail leading into Rome, to capture the awe that filled Luther as he approached the grand finale of his pilgrimage. Our local guide and good friend, Francesca Caruso, led us to the perfect setting, on Monte Mario.

 

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Luther was an Augustinian monk, and just inside Rome’s city gates (at Piazza del Popolo) is the Augustinian church of Santa Maria del Popolo. Just as a hostel provides a needed bunk for a backpacker today, this church provided Luther a humble home upon his arrival in Rome.

 

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After dropping to his knees and declaring, “Hail, holy city of Rome,” Luther did what pilgrims still do to this day: He worshipped at holy sites all over town. He climbed the Holy Stairs (Scala Santa) on his knees, just as our cameraman, Karel Bauer, did today. And upon reaching the top, Luther thought the same thing Karel did: “This just makes no sense to me.”

 

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By questioning corrupt Church practices — jumping through hoops to earn less time in purgatory, or purchasing relief from the consequences of your sins in the form of indulgences — Luther unleashed a torrent of public frustration and undercut the power of the Church. The Church fought back with the Counter-Reformation. If you know where to look, you can see Church-sponsored propaganda designed to make sure the Catholic (which means “universal”) Church remained the only permissible way to be a Christian: the Virgin Mary and toddler Jesus stepping on evil snakes; stony saints stepping on heretics; and angry cupids ripping up the pages of Bibles that had been translated from Latin into languages normal people could actually read. It was a tumultuous time for Christians of all stripes.

Comments

11 Replies to “Coming in 2017: Rick Steves Public Television Special about Martin Luther and the Reformation”

  1. So the top is a detail of the painting ‘Madonna and Child with St Anne’ by Caravaggio which hangs in the Borghese Gallery in Rome.
    But where & what is the bottom sculpture – Cupid ripping out pages of the Bible?

  2. Beautiful pictures…looking forward to this and your Easter special. May you and your family have a blessed and safe Easter.

  3. I enjoy knowing all the stories behind the art work. History of that time, NOT just religion.

  4. We will be traveling to Greece and Rome in early Sept 2015.
    Will the Scaffolding at Trevi Fountain in Rome be down by then?
    Also What is the best way to get to Bari Italy from Santorini Greece (around Sept 13-15 2015) the ferry or plane,

    Thanks
    Tony and Cindy

    We can’t wait to get there.

  5. The Rick Steves productions are always so beautifully filmed, as well as entertaining and educational. I am looking forward to watching this Martin Luther special and learning more about one of the many world-changing events that has taken place in the history of Western Civilization.

  6. Wow, can’t wait to hear more about this. As a Catholic, the history of the church has always been fascinating to me and Martin Luther has always been a character that I can relate to. I actually just moved to Hamburg last August and have yet to really discover Germany. Your future posts may give me some ideas of where to go. I actually just started a blog myself. Do you have any suggestions for beginners?

  7. Rick, I hope and pray that you will not be biased in your reporting of the Reformation. For historical and doctrinal accuracy, may I suggest that you consult with a Lutheran Minister and a Catholic priest. You have always done a great job in presenting the facts. May our Christian God help you discern the correct content of your program. Thanks!

  8. Rick does a great job showing both sides of issues. His shows on Iran and the Holy Land are a prime examples.

    Keep on travelin’

  9. What a great idea to do an historically significant pilgrimage as a travel show! After so many years of covering and recovering your popular tour destinations, I can well imagine you were looking for fresh and relevant ideas. I am really looking forward to this series!

  10. Rick, I am with Deb. I hope you do an unbiased historical show. It is very important to always present historical evidence truthfully, whether in history, art (which is history) or religion and always giving the appropriate credit to each country or religion. Fair and balanced is always best. We do wish at times we could change facts to make ourselves happy, but that is wrong and certain cultures and religions get short changed. BTW. Since your in Itally a great book to read by Thomas Madden is Venice a New History. The first book on The history of Venice written in English in the last 30 years. Very informative.

  11. Some of the above comments are asking Rick to be fair to “both sides.” My first RS blog that I followed was the Holy Land, which was incredibly one-sided, had me responding to some of Rick’s points. I had never replied to any internet blog before but felt I needed to respond with facts that supported my point of view. Rick is the absolute best travel guy on the planet and I buy his books, DVD’s, etc., and will continue to do so in the future even though I disagree with his basic political philosophy. I think disagreeing with someone so profoundly, and yet, buy his stuff is one more thing that makes Rick so unique in his field of endeavor.

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