Welcome to Reformation 500 on the BBC World Service. I'm Chris Bolby and I've been

discovering just why Germany's putting so much effort into marking a historical

event from 500 years ago. That's when Martin Luther triggered the

reformation and created Protestantism. It was a religious split within Christianity

that had such huge consequences.

I'm going to explore how Germans have remembered this great moment

and how Luther has remained a figure of fascination from then until now.

He's a theologian who became a best-selling brand.

So here we are inside the shop, the tourist information, and I can see perhaps what people might expect candles, plates,

but also a bit more unexpected, reformation beer and then packets of Luther noodles now that really is a bit of a surprise

There's a combination pack here you can have some Luther wine exactly I'm Festa Borg from the hymn.

And of course...

Exactly and you have your extra cup.

Because Luther said if you don't have beer you have nothing to drink.

35 euros and it's yours. If you don't have nothing to drink.

35 euros and it's yours. This is Vittenberg not far from Berlin in eastern Germany.

It's currently home to Luther Noodles and best-selling pocket-sized Protestant preachers.

Luther musicals are in rehearsal.

Souvenirs are selling by the thousands.

It was here in this obscure provincial place that in 1517 a former monk called Martin Luther

started a religious revolution that spread into every area of life and changed Europe and the world.

His Protestant challenge to Catholic Church Authority began its claimed when he nailed a sheet of paper with 95 theological

...