Lübeck

This Hanseatic town was founded in the 12th century. Since then Lübeck had developed up to the late Middle Ages into the second largest city and one of the mightiest German cities. Till 1937 Lübeck kept the status of a free imperial city acquired in the 14th century. Today it is, with 215,000 inhabitants, the second largest city of Schleswig-Holstein. Not only the "nicest daughter" of Lübeck - the seaside health resort of Travemünde, but also the city itself is a popular tourist destination. Many Scandinavian guests reach the city by the biggest ferry terminals of Germany.

Above all, the sea-water washed medieval city centre is a place of interest of the first rank and since 1987 it became the UNESCO world cultural heritage in spite of World War II destructions.

Lübeck has unique museums: St. Annen museum, Holstentor and Burgkloster, in addition the Buddenbrookhaus in the memory of the Thomas and Heinrich Mann brothers, the Schiffergesellschaft, Günter's Grass's house, five churches and the armory are some of the best known ones.

With the modern music hall and convention hall compared with the Old Town, the Saint Annen arts centre, the puppet theatre and such international cultural events like the Northern Film Days, the Hanseatic town of Lübeck rightfully carries the title of a cultural capital of Schleswig-Holstein. The marzipan production belongs to the special Lübeck traditions. Several enterprises export the raw material for it to the whole world.

The Hanseatic town of Lübeck is a unique ensemble of German history, above all, in the form of the medieval brick architecture, the legacies of three Nobel Prize Laureates (Thomas Mann, Willy Brandt and Günter Grass) and modern cultural heritage. It has a high level of service for every visitor.

The sights of Lübeck and Holstein.

Photo: Torsten Krüger/www.luebeck-tourismus.de