Founded in 1143 as the first German city on the Baltic Sea, Lübeck was once known as “Queen of Hanseatic cities”. It ruled the Hansa for 500 years and has come to be known as “Gate to the Baltic Sea". Surrounded by water and home to one of the most lucrative harbours in Europe, people from all over Europe set sail here for Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the Baltic States and Russia.
Lübeck is the only city in the north of Germany to have been situated directly on the east-west border. It remained an independent, imperial city until 1937. But it suffered much loss and destruction as a result of the Second World War. During the night of March 29th 1/5 of the historical town of Lübeck was destroyed. However, since 1949, much of the city, including the famous seven golden towers, townhouses, alleyways, courtyards and monasteries, has been reconstructed. Now Lübeck has been appointed an international example of preservation of ancient monuments. In fact, many parts of the historic “Old Town” were added to the list of World Heritage by UNESCO in December 1987. These include the Town Hall, the convent "Burgkloster", consisting of a cluster of completely preserved 13th century buildings, a quarter with patrician houses of the 15th and 16th century, the impressive Holsten Gate and the salt warehouses on the left side of the Trave river to name but a few.
Architecture
The largest city in Schlewsig-Holstein, Lübeck is a part of Germany rich in history and individuality. This picturesque town famous for its gothic architecture has since been characterised by cultural sights which symbolise the great past of Lübeck as the free Hanseatic City that it is.
Perhaps one of the most fascinating buildings to have been preserved is the Castle Monastery. Built in 1229, it is the most important medieval monastery in Northern Germany. Having been used as a poorhouse for many centuries, and a courthouse and remand prison up until the Second World War, the Castle monastery is a treasure trove of memory and history from the Middle Ages right up until more modern history. Since its restoration by the regional state of Schleswig-Holstein, it has been a place of art and architecture, the history of the Hanseatic Leagueand the Baltic region, contemporary history and philosophy.
Culture
Widely known today as the culture capital of the north, Lübeck is home to three Nobel Prize winners among its residents: Thomas Mann (Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929), Willy Brandt (Nobel Peace Prize in 1971), and Günter Grass (Nobel Prize for Literature in 1999). The "Buddenbrookhaus" at Mengstraße 4 is a literature museum commemorating all three of the poets, and just one of Lübeck’s many must-see museums.
A great deal of the world renowned Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival takes place in the historic city. Music lovers flock from all corners of the globe every year to bask in the beautiful combination of landscape and culture.
Christmas Markets
Germany is famous for the festive feeling of its Christmas markets. One of the most famous of these is found in the heart of Lübeck itself. With its unique medieval ambience, the market is located inside the Hospital of the Holy Spirit.
Another christmas market in Lübeck, and in fact the largest, can be found in the pedestrian area of "Breite Straße", around the Town Hall and on the market square.
For children Lübeck offers the famous "Fairytale Wood" where they can see sleeping Hänsel & Gretel and many other fairytale heroes. The market is located in the churchyard of St. Mary's Church.
