Erfurt, the capital city of the province of Thuringia, has long been one of Germany's most important cities. It was first officially mentioned by Saint Boniface in 742, and Erfurt's still-standing university was founded in 1379, making it the first university in what now constitutes modern Germany. It is, however, church history that has made Erfurt famous: in 1505, Martin Luther entered the Augustinian Monastery in Erfurt, and it is said this is where he crafted the Reformation. Visitors to the well-preserved monastery can take a peek at Luther's tiny room, the "Lutherzelle".
Erfurt is located approximately 100 km south-west of Leipzig and is a major hub for Deutsche Bahn.
