Lübeck

Behind the thick walls of Lübeck’s famous Landmark an Exhibition entitled “The Hanseatic League – The Power of Trade” invites you to a fascinating medieval world of a Lübeck merchant and of global trade and seafaring. Incidentally, the city gate was equipped with 30 cannons in the late Middle Ages, but none has ever fired a single shot.

The Romanesque church was erected between 1227 and 1250. She isn’t used for church services any more. Nowadays the bright church hall is used for events and exhibitions. During the Christmas season a beautiful craftsmen’s market takes place inside. The observation platform offers a spectacular view on the Old Town.

Heinrich and Thomas Mann are two of Lübeck’s most famous sons. The Buddenbrook-House is dedicated to the two writers and the “Buddenbrooks”. This is the place to find out all you ever wanted to know about the Mann family and their works. Walk through the house with its authentically furnished rooms and feel as if you were walking through the novel itself.

Sympathetic and responsible Lübeck residents built the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, where care was provided for the elderly and infirm already in the 13th century. At Christmas time, visitors to the arts and crafts market in the hospital’s vaulted hall can soak up the medieval atmosphere.

In two magnificent merchants’ houses – almost palatial in their grandeur – modern-day visitors can see what life was like in Goethe’s time. The two houses, which have been combined to form one museum, also house a collection of paintings from the 19th century to classical modernism.

Lübeck's Cathedral dates back to the year 1173. The massive 15th-century Triumphal Cross and beautiful rood screen were made by Lübeck master Bernt Notke, and there’s superb modern stained glass.

Take a relaxing boat tour along the small canals and waterways and experience Lübeck from a different angle. -City-Schifffahrt- Departure: at "An der Obertrave"(next to the Music and Congress Centre) and from two piers located at "An der Untertrave" Mar – Apr and Oct: daily 11 am, 12.30 am, 2 pm, 3.30 pm May – Sep: daily 10 am, 11.30 am, 1 pm, 2.30 pm, 4 pm, 5.30 pm Phone: +494512963424 www.cityschifffahrt.de -Quandt Linie Lübeck- Departure: "Holstentorterrassen" (an der Overtrave) quay and Wallhalbinsel (next to the Music and Conress Centre) May – Oct: daily 10 am – 6 pm, every half an hour, during low season at reduced times Phone: +4945177799 or +4945173884 www.quandt-linie.de -Stühff - Lübecker Barkassenfahrt- Departure: An der Obertrave 15a Daily: 10 am – 5.30 pm, every 90 minutes, during low season at reduced times Phone: +494517078222 www.luebecker-barkassenfahrt.de Tour from Lübeck to Travemünde -Hanse Fahrt- Departure: from Untertrave Hansemuseum to Travemünde Kaiserbrücke, Daily: 1 pm and 5 pm, during low season at reduced times Tour: 90 min. Phone: +4901635475773 www.hanse-travemuende.de Book the tickets for MS Hanse here: www.shop.luebeck-ticket.de

Lübeck Town Hall is one of the most beautiful town halls in Germany. In 1230 its construction started right in the centre of the Old Town on the market. The dark bricks of the Town Hall make a striking contrast to the traditional red-brick construction of the surrounding buildings. The patricians extended the building several times, adding the magnificent freestone facade, the decorative balcony and the three towers, known locally as the“giants”.

Dramatic staging and multimedia services are used which allow visitors to gain a much better understanding of the German history of the 20th century. The permanent exhibition of the German Federal Chancellor Willy Brandt Foundation shows photos from all stages of the famous politician's life. Official documents, which include the letter to John F. Kennedy written immediately after the Berlin Wall was built, and the manuscript of the government declaration from 1969 with the famous slogan "let's dare more democracy", are just as much part of the exhibition as Brandt's school leaving certificate or a letter to Nora, his daughter living in Norway. Interview transcripts and newsreels show the public appearance of Willy Brandt from his time as mayor in Berlin up to his resignation as German Federal Chancellor.

The Füchtingshof is located in Glockengießerstraße below St. Catherine’s church. It is one of the biggest and magnificent courtyards in Lübeck. The listed early Baroque housing area belongs to the charity foundation “Johann Füchting Testament” that still exists today as an autonomous foundation. Since 1639 the courtyard serves as a housing estate for widows of sailors and merchants. After a modernization and renovation in the 1970s 28 apartments are available. Still inhabited today, this courtyard became an oasis in the center of the Old Town.

Guided tours in English: From May – Oct and Dec Sat: 11.30 am Meeting point: Welcome Center Duration: approx. 2 hours Individual guided tours of the city: Our experienced city guides are available for exclusive thematic tours any time you like, offering tours in German, English, Dutch, French, Swedish, Danish, Chinese, Norwegian, Finnish, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese.