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Hanseatic City of Lübeck

Lübeck, Germany
05.04.2015

Hansestadt Lübeck, or the Hanseatic City of Lübeck, is a charming and historic city located in the northern part of Germany. Situated on the Trave River, it is often referred to as the "Queen of the Hanseatic League" due to its significant role in the powerful trading alliance of medieval Europe.

Lübeck has a rich history dating back to the 12th century when it was founded as a trading settlement. It quickly grew in wealth and influence, becoming one of the most important cities in the Hanseatic League. This is evident in the city's stunning architecture, with its well-preserved medieval buildings and grand churches, showcasing the city's former glory.

Today, Lübeck is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world. The city's Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-visit for its picturesque streets and iconic landmarks such as the Holstentor, a 15th-century gate that serves as the city's symbol.

In addition to its historical significance, Lübeck is also known for its delicious marzipan, a sweet almond-based treat that has been produced in the city for centuries. Visitors can learn about the history and production of marzipan at the famous Niederegger Marzipan Museum and even taste some of this delectable treat.

Lübeck is also a hub for cultural and artistic activities. The city is home to numerous museums, galleries, and theaters, showcasing a diverse range of art and performances. The annual Lübeck Christmas Market is a popular event, attracting thousands of visitors with its festive atmosphere, traditional crafts, and delicious local specialties.

With its charming old-world charm, rich history, and vibrant cultural scene, Hansestadt Lübeck is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Germany. Whether you are a history buff, a foodie, or simply looking for a unique and beautiful city to explore, Lübeck has something to offer for everyone. Come and experience the magic of this Hanseatic gem for yourself.


Lübeck – the former capital and Queen City of the Hanseatic League – was founded in the 12th century and prospered until the 16th century as the major trading centre for northern Europe. It has remained a centre for maritime commerce to this day, particularly with the Nordic countries. Despite the damage it suffered during the Second World War, the basic structure of the old city, consisting mainly of 15th- and 16th-century patrician residences, public monuments (the famous Holstentor brick gate), churches and salt storehouses, remains unaltered.

Lübeck (German: [ˈlyːbɛk] ; Low German: Lübęk or Lübeek [ˈlyːbeːk]; Latin: Lubeca), officially the Hanseatic City of Lübeck (German: Hansestadt Lübeck), is a city in Northern Germany. With around 220,000 inhabitants, it is the second-largest city on the German Baltic coast and the second-largest city in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, after its capital of Kiel, and is the 36th-largest city in Germany.

The city lies in the Holsatian part of Schleswig-Holstein, on the mouth of the Trave, which flows into the Bay of Lübeck in the borough of Travemünde, and on the Trave's tributary Wakenitz. The island with the historic old town and the districts north of the Trave are also located in the historical region of Wagria. Lübeck is the southwesternmost city on the Baltic Sea, and the closest point of access to the Baltic from Hamburg. The city lies in the Holsatian dialect area of Low German.

The name "Lübeck" ultimately stems from the Slavic root lub- ("love-"). Before 819, Polabian Slavs founded a settlement which they called Liubice on the mouth of the Schwartau into the Trave. Since the 10th century, Liubice was the second-most important settlement of the Obotrites after Starigard. Lübeck was granted Soest city rights in 1160, and, in 1260, it became an immediate city within the Holy Roman Empire. In the middle of the 12th century, Lübeck developed into the cradle of the Hanseatic League, of which it was considered the de facto capital and most important city from then on. The Lübeck law was eventually adopted by around 100 cities in the Baltic region. Lübeck could preserve its status as an independent city, which it held since 1226, until 1937.

Lübeck's historic old town, located on a densely built-up island, is Germany's most extensive UNESCO World Heritage Site. With 6 church towers surpassing 100 metres (330 ft), Lübeck is the city with the highest number of tall church towers worldwide. Nicknamed the "City of the Seven Towers" (Stadt der Sieben Türme), Lübeck's skyline is dominated by the seven towers of its five Protestant main churches: St Mary's, Lübeck Cathedral, St James', St Peter's, and St Giles's. The cathedral from 1173-1341 was the first large brickwork church in the Baltic region. St Mary's Church from 1265-1351 is considered the model on which most of the other Brick Gothic churches in the sphere of influence of the Hanseatic League are based. It is the second-tallest church with two main towers after Cologne Cathedral (which only surpassed it in 1880), has the tallest brick vault, and is the second-tallest brickwork structure after St. Martin's Church in Landshut.

Lübeck is home to the University of Lübeck with its University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein, the Technical University of Applied Sciences Lübeck, and the Lübeck Academy of Music. There are 18 museums in Lübeck, among which the European Hansemuseum, Lübeck Museum Port, and the Niederegger Marzipan Museum, dedicated to the culinary specialty the city is best known for: Lübeck Marzipan. Due to their southwestern location, Travemünde and the nearby seaside resorts of Niendorf, Timmendorfer Strand, Scharbeutz, Haffkrug, Sierksdorf, and Grömitz are among Germany's most visited.

Lübeck Main Station is located on the Vogelfluglinie railway line connecting continental Europe (Hamburg) to Scandinavia (Copenhagen) via the future Fehmarn Belt fixed link. The port of Lübeck is the second-largest German port on the Baltic Sea after the port of Rostock, and the Skandinavienkai in Travemünde is Germany's most important ferry port, with connections to Scandinavia and the Baltic countries. The city has its own regional airport at Lübeck-Blankensee, while nearby Hamburg Airport serves as Lübeck's main air hub.

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