1712 it became a farm run by the Prussian state, and the buildings reused accordingly. In 1950, the German Democratic Republic turned it into a fruit farm. In 1994, after Germany's reunification, the Catholic Diocese of Magdeburg bought the property using donations from all over the world and soon began restoration. Cistercian nuns from Seligenthal in Bavaria moved into the cloister starting circa 1999, Since 2006 Helfta has been on the southern portion of a major European cultural route, the Romanesque Road. Martin Luther The Protestant reformer Martin Luther was born in Eisleben on 10 November 1483. His father, Hans Luther, was a miner like many in Eisleben. Luther's family moved to Mansfeld when he was only a year old and he lived in Wittenberg most of his life. Seemingly by chance Luther preached his last sermon and died in Eisleben in 1546. Eisleben took steps to preserve its Luther memorials as far back as 1689, and pioneered "heritage tourism." Danish poet Hans Christian Andersen came to Eisleben while researching Lutheran links as well as touring through Saxony and the Harz Mountains in 1831. In 1997, Martin Luther's "Birth House" and "Death House" were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with the Luther sites in Wittenberg, because of their testimony to the lasting worldwide effects of Luther's religious and political reforms. Also, Luther was baptised in Eisleben's St. Peter and Paul Church (the original font survives) and preached his last sermons at St. Andreas Church, both of which continue in use. Notable people Johannes Agricola (1494–1566), Protestant reformer Gudrun Berend (1955–2011), hurdler Ingo Bodtke (born 1965), German politician Gertrude the Great (1256–1301), mystic, saint of the Catholic Church Ludwig Geyer (1779–1833), painter, playwright and actor Egbert Hayessen (1913–1944), major and resistance fighter Timo Hoffmann (born 1974), boxer Friedrich Koenig (1774–1821), printer Thomas Lange (born 1964), rower, two-time Olympic champion Hermann Lindrath (1896–1960), CDU politician and minister Martin Luther (1483–1546), Protestant reformer, author and professor of theology Werner Rataiczyk (1921–2021), painter Max Schneider (1875–1967), music historian Caspar Schütz (c. 1540–1594) historian Ute Starke (born 1939), gymnast Friedrich August von Quenstedt (1809–1889), geologist and paleontologist Twin towns – sister cities Eisleben is twinned with: Herne, Germany Memmingen, Germany Raismes, France Weinheim, Germany References External links Luther Memorials in Eisleben and Wittenberg UNESCO Official Website Official website Luther Sites in Eisleben 3D - model of the Birthplace Luther Landmarks in Germany Martin