Lübeck - The Queen of the Hanseatic League
From 1958 to 1991, it could be seen on the 50 mark banknote. In 2006, its image appeared on the German 2-euro commemorative coin. However, if you wish to admire the original, you must make your way to Germany’s oldest Hanseatic city – a journey well worth taking. And not just because of this famous landmark. With its round towers and distinctive brickwork, the
Holstentor evokes the era when the city was the gateway to the Baltic Sea region and trade and prosperity shaped daily life. Lübeck, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, unites history and culture with the typically Nordic calmness of its inhabitants – from Brick Gothic to the Buddenbrooks, from Thomas Mann to marzipan.
Seven Towers and Cobbled Streets
The simplest way to reach Lübeck is by following the trail of its seven towers. Even from afar, the brick-built structures rise above the old town. The Gothic churches of St. Jacobi, St. Petri and St. Aegidien each have a single tower, while St. Marien and Lübeck Cathedral each define the cityscape with two towers apiece.
Once in the old town, you stroll through narrow alleyways, over cobblestones, past venerable merchants' houses with their ornate gables. Perhaps the most famous townhouse, with its white façade, stands in Mengstraße. It served as the family home of the writer Thomas Mann, who was born in Lübeck. The house was also the model for the Buddenbrooks' residence in his novel of the same name. Today, the Buddenbrookhaus is a museum where a piece of literature is brought to life.
Lübeck’s speciality made from almonds, sugar and rose water is not only something to experience, but also to taste. If you want to do more than simply enjoy the famous marzipan, you can take part in a marzipan workshop and gain some sweet hands-on experience.
Travemünde, Shipping and More
If you wish to discover the full diversity of Lübeck, you should venture further, for example towards the district of Travemünde. Here, where the Trave river flows into the Baltic Sea, many visitors are drawn – whether for a day trip or as a relaxing holiday destination.
At the harbour entrance, more precisely at ‘Am Leuchtenfeld 1’, stands the 31-metre-high octagonal stone tower. Built in 1539, it is the oldest lighthouse in Germany. Behind its thick walls, it houses a museum dedicated to the history of lighthouse technology. If you climb the narrow steps to the top, you are rewarded with a view over the Trave estuary, the Priwall and the open sea.
If you fancy, you can take a harbour tour and get up close to the ferries. The large Scandinavian ferries are especially impressive, departing daily for Sweden, Finland or the Baltic States.
One special sailing ship, however, never sails past. Since 1911, the four-masted barque, which once rounded Cape Horn, has been moored in the harbour. The ‘Passat’ is more than just an old ship; it is a museum, an events venue and a youth hostel all in one.
And if you’ve had your fill of culture, you can enjoy the sea air. Perhaps, with a gentle breeze, you can let your soul and legs dangle in a beach chair and listen to the sound of the waves.
From Classical Music to Baltic Films
Even those who prefer variety over relaxation are in the right place in this Hanseatic city. Throughout the year, Lübeck invites its residents and visitors to a wide range of events. In the old shipyard hall, Kulturwerft Golan, concerts, readings, theater performances, and markets are held regularly. Once a year, it’s ‘Night at the Museum.’ On that evening, numerous museums and cultural institutions open their doors under the moonlight.
The Nordic Film Days are dedicated to Nordic and Baltic films, and at the Lübeck Bach Days, the music of composer Johann Sebastian Bach takes center stage. During Advent, a stroll through the Christmas market is highly recommended. Then, the scent of marzipan and mulled wine drifts through the alleys.
Lübeck: Holstentor, Passat and marzipan – and so much more.
Insider tip from our branch manager in Lübeck
St. Petri Tower
You get a special view of Lübeck from above at the St. Petri Tower. St. Petri is a culture church that regularly hosts exhibitions, concerts, readings, and other events. If you climb the tower, you’re rewarded with a breathtaking view over the brick Gothic old town, all the way to the Trave with its excursion boats, and all around you can see modern Lübeck.
Thorsten Dorsch
Branch Manager Blumenbecker Industriebedarf GmbH
