Lovely Lubeck

Me being me infront of the famous Holstentor

On July 14th, my excellent tour guide Jurgen, took me to the famous Hanseatic City of Lubeck (http://www.luebeck.de/languages/eng/city_portrait/index.html) which is the second largest city in the Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany.  It is an interesting medeival town which still retains much of its character.  There are 7 imposing steeples from churches which dominate its skyline.  Known for its history and its marzipan – it is really a fascinating place.

The old salt storage buildings

Lubeck is another UNESCO world heritage site because of its brick gothic architectural heritage.  Lubeck became an economic powerhouse in the past.  The location of this old city was first founded in 1143 on the river island, Bucu.  It is an island surrounded by the river Trave.  In 1200 it was the main port of departure for people leaving for the Baltic territories.  Lubeck realized its economic strength due to “white gold” – salt – which was stored their for transportation to many other destinations.

The town hall that has been there since the 14th century

Lubeck had actually retained much of its medieval character as it had been since the 1400s when on March 28, 1942 it was the first city bombed quite heavily by the British RAF.  Although this town was not really a military target, the bombing, like that done in the 1990s on Dubrovnik, was more a hit on German moral, although it was also a somewhat important port.  This bombing did significant damage to three of its churches and numerous other buildings throughout the old city.  It was actually the intervention of Allied individuals who declared Lubeck and important Red Cross port and saved it from further bombing.

The melted bells in St. Mary's church - a reminder of the 1942 bombing - they remain there as testimony

Of course this sort of history compels me.  The churches and other buildings have been restored as authentically as possible.  The architecture is very different to architecture that I have seen throughout Europe to-date.  Red brick is used extensively and the churches almost all use a cross-dome construction and feel massive when standing inside or outside of them.

Me standing inside the municipal chamber which has been used since the 13th century I believe and is still being used

As Jurgen and I were looking in the town hall, Jurgen employed his mischevious side and we snuck in behind a tour group to get inside the Municipal building without paying.  It was quite funny actually.  But we were actually able to see the old rooms that otherwise would not have been seen by me.  It really was quite beautiful.

Jurgen looking innocent on the stairs in the Town Hall

We also had coffee at the famous marzipan store Niederegger  http://www.niederegger.de/ .  The marzipan cake was absolutely delicious.  Later that night we had dinner at the Kartoffelkeller – the potato cellar restaurant which is in the basement of the oldest social institution in the world – the famous Holdy Ghost finalized in 1286. This Hospital is not only one of Europe’s oldest social institutions but also one of the most significant monumental buildings from the Middle Ages.  It is a famous restaurant and not only has a great atmosphere but the food was excellent.

The famous Holy Ghost social institution - the oldest in the world.

Guess which one is me - at the potato cellar

Well I could go on, as Lubeck was full of charms and history, but I really must get outside and investigate Cologne.  So you’ll have to just be satisfied with what I have written at this point.

Me hanging out with the devil