In the Middle Ages, Erfurt was one of the largest cities in the Empire. The trading metropolis established the first university within the borders of present-day Germany in 1379, whose most famous student was Martin Luther. His entry into the Augustinian monastery in Erfurt in 1505 set the course for the Reformation. Later, Erfurt gained the reputation of a city of flowers and is now the vibrant state capital of Thuringia.