Plan a trip to Lubeck

The city of Lübeck (German: Hansestadt Lübeck) is situated strategically on the mouth of the River Trave which flows into the bay in the southern Baltic Sea. In the early years as the city grew, it quickly became a powerful maritime trading center and has remained a center for maritime commerce to this day. The large entrance gate to the city is called: The Holsten Gate (Das Holstentor) and marks off the western boundary of the old center of the Hanseatic* city of Lübeck. Built in the 15th century the Red Brick Gothic Gate is a reminder of medieval city fortifications. Together with the Citadel Gate, they are the last two remaining gates. Regarded as a symbol of the city with its impressive two-round towers and arched entrance, together with the old city center they have been included on the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The impressive gate is one of the most photographed spots in Germany. There are two statues of reclining lions in front of the Holsten Gate, created in 1823.  Enter the gates and visit the Holstentor Museum which is now a municipal history museum with appropriate exhibitions which makes clear the power, wealth and maritime strength in the past.  Above the passageway there is a Latin proclamation, in bold gold letters which says: “Harmony within, peace without”.

So much to see in the Old Town – following are but a few of recommended sites to visit:

St Marien zu Lübeck, generally referred to as Lübeck Marienkirche (St. Mary’s Church) was built on the highest point of Lübeck's old town between 1265 and 1352. It is a medieval basilica and is visible from afar, its pair of tall spires overlooking the town.  Until the middle of the 13th century, it was a Romanesque brick church but then it was redesigned based on the Gothic cathedrals in France. Because of its Gothic style it is often called the "mother church of brick Gothic". The architecture had a tremendous influence on churches built later on. The interior of the church is impressive and stands out for its design: the choir stage, the altar, the preacher's stage and the organ. It’s “claim to fame” is nevertheless that it has the highest vault (highest “curved” ceiling) in the world – at 38.5 meters. 
“Kodak Moment”: You can capture incredible views of the old town and the bay from the rooftop.

Marzipanmuseum Niederegger (Marzipan Museum in Café Niederegger is on the second floor) The production of marzipan began here around 1800 and its history is on display in this “fun and tasty” museum which introduces the visitor to the history of marzipan and shows off life-sized marzipan figures with changing marzipan artwork. You can find it on Breite Straße 89 close to many of the museums.

The House of Buddenbrooks is a museum, formerly home to the renowned writer Thomas Mann, a Nobel Prize Laureate. The House is named after his book "The House of Buddenbrooks", which is considered one of his most important works.

The Lübeck Town Hall (Lübecker Rathaus) started out in the 13th century as an indoor trading hall and has had many transformations over the centuries. It was finally completed in the late 1500’s. Some original parts, such as the gables and parts of the façade can still be seen. It is one of Germany's most famous medieval brick Gothic buildings and is located right in the heart of the Old Town. It was the center of power of the Hanseatic League*. It is one of the most famous Gothic-Renaissance architectural style brick buildings and many have compared it to a fairytale castle, this does not stop it from holding the city council meetings there to this day. It too is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Hanseatic City of Lübeck.  

*Note: What is Hanseatic? It is a medieval ‘union” (guild) merchant trade association. Hanseatic League? Founded originally in Germany (other countries joined over the years) an organization of merchant communities to protect their mutual trading interests. This league actually exists to this day and the Lübeck mayor is at its head.

Secret: Don’t miss the opportunity to dine in the restaurant in the Town Hall’s vaulted cellars – it is one of the oldest restaurants in North Germany, also popular for social events.

The Hospital of the Holy Spirit (Hospital zum Heiligen Geist) from the 13th century, is one of the oldest hospitals in the world and is now a museum and a major attraction in the old town. The hospital is one of the most important architectural monuments in Gothic red-brick style and many tourists come to see the building for its special structure, with its three-gabled representative frontage and four slender spires and the long house in which the beds of the needy were lined up in rows. A site not to be missed is the church hall with its magnificent stained-glass windows has precious artwork and the walls are covered with frescoes

The Old City Center of Lübeck is in great parts inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Curiosity: The Kaak! The Kaak is a pillory (penalty pole) - in this case for dishonest vendors, and was built in the 15th century. You can see it standing in the market.  During WWII many buildings were destroyed but the Kaak was preserved. Unfortunately, it was torn down but eventually rebuilt in the late 1980’s. Address: 23552, Markt,

Secret: Immerse yourself in the world of the alleys and courtyards in the Old Town! The winding streets become a colorful maze and as you wander around you will understand why this truly deserves to be part of the Lübeck UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today there are less than the original 200 such alleys and courtyards, however, fortunately, many open to the public. As the Hanseatic City of Lübeck grew there was a need for more housing as there was lack of space within the city walls. Some clever person came up with the idea of one-room “shacks” (or windowless stalls) as a solution for housing and were rented out mostly rented them out to tradespeople, seamen, laborers.

Secret: Some alleys and courtyards are more popular than others: Glockengießerstraße 23, Haasenhof, Glandorps Hof, Hartengrube 52, Von-Höveln-Gang on Wahmstraße 73-77.