Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein

Lübeck, viewed from the tower of St Petri
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:View_over_L%C3%BCbeck_April_2009.jpg
Author: Arne List


Lübeck is the second biggest city in the state of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany. It covers 214.13 sq km (82.68 sq mi) and has a population of 210,000 (2011 estimate). The city is situated on the river Trave. It has the biggest port in Germany facing the Baltic Sea.

Lübeck is the former capital of the Hanseatic League. Today it has numerous buildings in the Brick Gothic architectural style. Lübeck's Old Town is today a World Heritage Site.

Lübeck Cathedral
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:L%C3%BCbeck_Dom-von-Westen_070311.jpg
Author: Torsten Bolten

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 53 52 0.012 E 10 41 30.012
Inscription Year: 1987
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: IV Although the area around Holstein has been inhabited since as early as AD 700, the city itself was founded in the 12th century. By the 14th century, it became the "Queen of the Hanseatic League," being the biggest and most powerful member of the medieval trading organisation. Emperor Charles IV of the Holy Roman Empire called it the five "Glories of the Empire" along with Venice, Rome, Pisa and Florence.

Holstentor, Lübeck
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holstentor04.jpg
Author: Glenn Strong


The Lübeck area has been settled since the Neolithic period. The town of Lübeck was founded in 1143 by Adolf II, Count of Schauenburg and Holstein. He built a castle there in 1147. However in 1158, Adolf had to cede his castle to Henry the Lion. Then Lübeck became an Imperial City within the Holy Roman Empire, ruled by Emperor Barbarossa. Lübeck continued to change hands in the 12th century. It was briefly controlled by the Duchy of Saxon until 1192. Then it became part of the County of Holstein until 1217. Following the Battle of Bornhöved in 1227, it was absorbed in Denmark.

Under the rule of Emperor Frederick II, Lübeck was elevated to Imperial Free City. It grew in power as the most important city of the Hanseatic League, and by the 14th century, earned the title of "Queen of the Hanseatic League". Lübeck was at the height of its power in the 15th century, when the Hanseatic League won a number of conflicts. However, by the 16th century, particularly after a civil war with Denmark from 1534 to 1536, its power began to decline.

Lübeck town hall
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lubeck-townhall-detail.JPG
Author: Torstein Frogner


The power of Lübeck began to decline following its defeat in the Count's Feud (1534-36). Although it managed to remain neutral in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), by then trading orientation had move transatlantic, resulting in lesser influence and significance for the Hanseatic League. Eventually it was disbanded in 1669, although Lübeck remained an important trading port on the Baltic Sea.

Hanseatic City of Lübeck was inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 11th session of the World Heritage Committee which met at the Headquarters in Paris, France on 7-11 December, 1987.

Lübeck Rathaus, the town hall of the city
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Germany_Luebeck_townhall_Anbau.jpg
Author: Arnold Paul


The Hanseatic League was also losing power, and in 1669, it was disbanded. It found itself in such dire straits that between 1811 and 1813, it was annexed as part of France. In 1937, the Nazis expanded the territories of Hamburg to absorb the surrounding towns including Lübeck - Hitler had a personal dislike over the town because it refused to allow him to campaign there some years back.

More misfortune fell on Lübeck with the start of the Second World War. It was one of the first German cities to be bombed by Allied forces. Following the end of the war, Lübeck was under British occupation. Lübeck became part of West Germany following the Cold War. During that time, the river Wakenitz separated Lübeck from East Germany.

Breite Straße, between Fischergrube and Pfaffenstraße, Lübeck
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BreiteStrasseBetweenFischergrubeAndPfaffenstrLuebeck%28Germany%29.jpg
Author: Andreas Geick

Visiting Lübeck, Germany

Lübeck Airport (LBC) gets flights by Ryanair from London-Stansted. From the airport, you can take public bus number 6 to the Hauptbahnhof (main railway station). To go from the railway station to the airport, look for trains to Lübeck Flughafen.

If you're coming by road from Hamburg, take Autobahn 1. From Kiel, take Autobahn 21 until Bad Segeberg-Nord, then continue on Route 206 (Bramstedter Landstraße) with connects to Autobahn 20 heading towards Lübeck.

Exploring Lübeck

The best way to explore Lübeck is to go on foot. The Old Town is quite compact with many of the historical buildings close to each other. If you have to travel greater distances, the city has a bus network as well as taxis.

Lu¨beck Cathedral
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dom_zu_L%C3%BCbeck.JPG
Author: Rüdiger Zielke

Places of Interest in Lübeck, Germany

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