Celebrate 500: Anabaptist Story in Europe Tour
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This European heritage tour traces the Anabaptist/Mennonite story through Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands. Visits to significant sites will bring to life the stories of Jakob Amman, Martin Luther, Michael Sattler, Pilgram Marpeck, and many other Reformation and Anabaptist leaders. Other tour highlights include an afternoon cruise on the Rhine River, watching traditional Dutch windmills, standing in caves where Anabaptists worshipped in secret, riding a cable car up a mountain, and visiting the Weierhof, a semi-communal Mennonite village. Unique to this year is the 500th-anniversary celebration of the first adult baptisms in Zürich. Connect past to present by joining Anabaptists from around the world at a commemorative all-day event organized by Mennonite World Conference. Experienced tour storyteller Ayold Fanoy will share insights as you travel in these beautiful countries that were so important to our Anabaptist ancestors.
At a Glance
- May 19 - June 2, 2025
- 15 Days
Other 500th Anniversary Tours
- Celebrate 500: Classic Anabaptist European Tour
May 19 – June 3 with John Sharp - 500 Years of Anabaptist Faith, Art & History Tour
May 28 – June 9 with Conrad Stoesz
Itinerary
Itinerary
May 18 | pre-tour
We suggest arriving a day early to help your body adjust to the time change.
May 19 | Amsterdam B, D
Arrive in Amsterdam and meet your group and tour leader at the airport. Transfer to Asperen to hear the story of Dirk Willems this afternoon.
May 20 | Amsterdam B, L, D
Enjoy a day touring Amsterdam! Start your day with a sobering visit to the Anne Frank House. Then visit the Singel Mennonite Church where you will enjoy a provided lunch. Take to the streets of Amsterdam on a guided city tour, concluding with a leisurely ride on Amsterdam’s canals.
May 21 | Berlikum B, D
Following an early breakfast, tour the impressive Aalsmeer flower auction where 20 million flowers from around the world are traded daily! Later, visit the charming city of Haarlem. Tour the Corrie Ten Boom House, the former residence of a faithful Christian family who provided refuge for enemies of the Nazis during World War II, and Haarlem Mennonite church. After an individual lunch in Haarlem, visit Zaanse Schans, a historic Dutch village with traditional Dutch Mennonite houses, working windmills, and artisans crafting things like wooden shoes and cheese. Transfer to Berlikum where your host family will welcome you for the evening.
May 22 | Münster B, L, D
Learn about the Menno Simons story as you visit his hometown of Witmarsum. Stop at the hidden church at Pingjum and enjoy a farm lunch at a Mennonite farm. Travel to Münster, Germany and take a walking tour to gain greater insight into the darker times of Anabaptist history. Hear about the violent uprising of radical Anabaptists during the Münster Rebellion. Visit the city museum to see the room of the Anabaptist uprising. See the cages where the bodies of Anabaptist leaders were displayed—the cages which still hang from the St. Lamberti Church tower today.
May 23 | Worms B, D
Begin the day in Köln, with a visit to the twin-towered Gothic cathedral. Then drive to the historic town of Boppard where you will relax and enjoy the scenery on a Rhine River cruise from Boppard to St. Goar. Transfer to Worms for dinner in the city center, plus a stop at the Luther Monument.
May 24 | Colmar B, D
Today, visit the Weierhof: a semi-communal Mennonite village in the Palatinate, and be introduced to the Weierhof archives. Have lunch in the quaint town of Riquewihr, known for its narrow streets and half-timbered houses. Drive to nearby Colmar and enjoy dinner in Colmar’s historic city centre.
May 25 | Emmental B, L, D
Join the local congregation at Schänzli Gemeinde Basel for worship this morning. Later, enjoy lunch at a cheese factory. Transfer to the charming town of Bern, a renowned UNESCO World Heritage site. On a walking tour, see the well-known clock tower, cathedral, and illustrious bear park. Reflect at the harbour, where a group of Anabaptists were exiled from Bern.
May 26 | Emmental B, D
Visit traditional Swiss cowbell and Örgeli/accordion shops. Visit Trachselwald Castle, a fortress once used to imprison radical Anabaptists, such as Hans Haslibacher. Hear Haslibacher’s story and visit the farm where some of his descendants still live today. Visit Sumiswald church for more of the Haslibacher story and to read the names of Anabaptists from Sumiswald who were put on trial because of their faith. Stop at the Kambly Cookie factory in Trubsachen for lunch. Take in the stunning view over the Emmental hills and the Alps to reach a typical Swiss homestead in Hinterhutten. Here, see a secret room that once hid Anabaptists on the most wanted list from their pursuers.
May 27 | Luzern B, D
Today is a day for the Alps! First, visit the Reformed church in Steffisburg, where you will learn about connections with the Amish. In Lauterbrunnen take a gondola to Grütschalp and train to Mürren. After some free time in Mürren, take one more gondola ride up to the top of the Schilthorn. This offers a fantastic and much more impressive mountain view to the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger. Spend some free time in the mountains where you can enjoy the glorious views over lunch. Descend via cable car and transfer to your hotel in Luzern. This evening, enjoy a short walk and dinner in Luzern’s city centre.
May 28 | Schleitheim B, D
Zürich and its surrounding area are central to the story of how the Anabaptist movement began. Today, spend time in the old city of Zürich for an Anabaptist walking tour of sites related to the birth of Anabaptism in 1525. Later, walk up the Anabaptist climb (Täuferstieg) near Schleitheim where the first Anabaptist confession was forged in 1527. Reflect at a unique monument placed in 2004 by Reformed Church leaders as an act of repentance and reconciliation between Anabaptists and their former persecutors. Visit the local museum to gain more insights.
May 29 | Zürich B, L, D
Gather with Anabaptists from around the world to partake in the 500th anniversary celebration, hosted by Mennonite World Conference. Expect workshops, musical concerts, theatrical performances, panel discussions and more scattered throughout the downtown. The day will culminate in an ecumenical worship service that recognizes the many steps toward reconciliation that have occurred in recent decades and an act of public witness.
May 30 | Bavaria B, L, D
This morning, visit a former secret worship site, the Anabaptist Cave at Bäretswil, for worship and reflection. This afternoon, travel to Bavaria to see the famous 19th-century fairytale castle: Neuschwanstein.
May 31 | Salzburg B, D
This morning, spend a sobering but meaningful time at Dachau, one of the notorious concentration camps of World War II. The memorials, film and visual displays will remind us of the atrocities committed. Later, travel to Munich for lunch and afternoon free time in the city centre. Transfer to Salzburg for the evening.
June 1 | Salzburg B, D
This morning, enjoy a Sound of Music tour, followed by free time to roam about Salzburg. This evening, be treated to dinner and a Mozart concert at Salzburg Castle.
June 2 | Departure B
Depart for home from Salzburg with new insights and connections into your Anabaptist heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please note: itinerary subject to change.
For further information, please contact us. We would be happy to be of assistance.
