Lübeck

Lübeck
Photo by Els Slots.

The Hanseatic City of Lübeck represents the heritage of a leading player in the medieval Hanseatic League.

This league of merchant cities held a monopoly over the trade of the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. Lübeck’s town plan shows the strict socio-economic organization of that period. Despite serious damage during World War II, a large number of historic monuments remain such as religious buildings, salt storehouses and patrician residences.

Community Perspective: Some find that Old and New live in harmony here, while others lament the “ugly modern constructions, parked cars, cheap shops and eateries”. It’s essentially “a relatively modern city with a few patches of history still within it”. The Holstentor is its most iconic sight.

Map of Lübeck

Load map

Community Reviews

Write a review


GerhardM

Austria - 01-Oct-24 -

We visited Lübeck in September 2024.

Lübeck is an old venerable Hanseatic city. But Lübeck is not just a city with a lot of history, brick art and many impressive churches. Lübeck is also a city with a lot of lively life, streets with beautiful renovated houses and many attractive shops (Marzipan too of course). 

The Holster Tor is certainly a highlight and a hike along the harbor is simply lovely. 

It´s not a modern city with just a few patches of history. 

I have seen also Wismar and Stralsund but Lübeck clearly is the queen of the Hanseatic cities. 

 


Michael Turtle

Australia - 07-Jan-16 -

Lübeck by Michael Turtle

I was a bit surprised that Lubeck wasn't included as a single site with Wismar and Stralsund - there are a lot of similarities and such a common history. But, regardless, I found it an interesting place to visit.

I note some previous comments about the encroachment of development and reconstruction, however I found the individual buildings to be quite impressive when viewed in isolation. There is a good breadth of architectural styles and periods represented by the main buildings on the island.

It certainly, however, feels like a relatively modern city with a few patches of history still within it - and that gives it a slightly different feel to the aforementioned cities, which I felt still had more of a traditional Hanseatic feel to the old centres.

Incidentally, Lubeck is actually quite a nice place to spend a night or two and relax and I enjoyed wandering around and spending some time by the river.

Read more from Michael Turtle here.


Clyde

Malta - 11-Oct-14 -

Lübeck by Clyde

I visited this WHS in October 2014. I spent a night here and explored the sights over 2 days. The main landmark is the Holstentor and there is a twin steepled church and a tower nearby. When walking close the Holstentor you'll immediately notice that it is leaning and also somewhat subsiding too. Still it is well kept and the red brick details worth viewing in sunny weather conditions. In the morning the sun shines on the rear facade of the Holstentor and on the nearby historic salt storehouses. The old city centre houses beautiful red brick buildings such as the Rathaus, St Jacob Church, the Burgtor which are worth viewing. It's true that there are quite a lot of urban constructions but I still loved what Lubeck had to offer. The Café Niederegger is worth visiting even if only to see the marzipan heritage sites inside. Behind the Café Niederegger, there was an Oktoberfest celebration with delicious Bratwurst and beers being served so I joined in gladly. I really enjoyed Lubeck and I must say that it is also one of my favourite WHS in Germany.


Karin R Michaud

USA - 07-Aug-13 -

I was born in Luebeck many years ago. I visit on the internet now and then.Luebeck was bombed during the war and had no choice but to rebuild. A lot of the old building were no longer standing. Of course if one rebuilds it will look new. I find this aspect so wonderful. Old and new live in harmony. After all it is 2013 and time and technology changes. Hope every one has a wonderful time in Luebeck. Appreciate the "old" and marvel at the new. The town should not be in a time-warp. Have a nice day.

Karin


John booth

New Zealand - 16-Oct-10 -

Lübeck by John Booth

I visited Lubeck after visiting Wismar and Stralsund, and was disappointed at the rampant disregard for its heritage evidenced by all the modern steel and glass construction. Even the majestic Holstentor was not enough to warrant OUV. The interior of the Petrikirche had been destroyed by being painted white, while that of the Dom had been modernised quite out of character with its red brick exterior.


Els Slots

The Netherlands - 28-Dec-07 -

Lübeck by Els Slots

Lübeck was only reluctantly admitted to the World Heritage List. Its nomination was deferred the first time in 1983 because of the loss of authenticity the city suffered from reconstruction after World War II. The ICOMOS advice at the second attempt (in 1987) also holds more warnings than admiring words. The site is also similar to the nearby Hanseatic cities of Stralsund & Wismar, and a serial nomination was recommended.

I visited Lübeck on a very cold Saturday in December. The picturesque Holstentor is the gate to the city center, with the salt storehouses right next to it. The gate now houses the municipal museum, where one can see what Lübeck looked like before WWII.

Wandering around the city's old quarter I'm afraid I have to agree with the skeptic ICOMOS-people: the fabulous remaining monuments are almost hidden from sight by ugly modern constructions, parked cars, cheap shops and eateries and (at this time of year) Christmas stalls. Lübeck's monuments are heavy on a style called "Brick Gothic", originating in countries in which there was a lack of natural stone.


Ian Cade

UK - 01-May-05 -

Lübeck by Ian Cade

I visited Lübeck to celebrate the New Year 2006/7 and had a really lovely time. It was great to see in the New Year on the banks of the river with fireworks going off all around us. I also have a real love for red brick buildings and cobbled streets so I was very much in my element here.

The most famous Building is the Holstentor (picture) and this is a great way to enter the city, it is quite noticeably leaning. It used to be on the 50DM note, and can now be found on a limited run of €2 coins. The Historic Centre of the city is situated on an island behind the gate. There are a fair few large churches in the centre; Marienkirche (twin spires in the left of picture) was the most impressive. It was huge inside, much larger than I thought it would be. We were very lucky to be able to attend a special Sylvester Concert of Handel’s Messiah inside on New Years Eve, which was a real treat.

There are a lot of areas with lovely red brick buildings all through the centre, but it is also quiet spoiled by some very poor town planning in the 1950/60’s especially on the Altermarkt. The once open square has been enclosed by some really unnecessary buildings, which on the south side seem to be offensively bland. However the newer developments can’t hide the undoubted charm of the city.

Not to be missed is Café Niederegger, which is famous for its Marzipan. The shop is like something from a movie. There are also displays of famous people/ buildings made of Marzipan, including a few World Heritage Sites.

Lübeck is situated in Northern Germany about a 45-minute train ride from Hamburg, which is well worth a visit. Also nearby is the WHS of Wismar, for once I didn’t make a short trip to add to my collection, but had I had an extra few hours probably would have done.

Lübeck is a really lovely city, which still has lots of charm despite some misguided development. Well worth a leisurely weekend.


Gatis

Latvia - 01-May-05 -

As a Hanseatic town Lubeck resembled to me my hometown - Riga. City definitely is attractive, dominated by red brick structures, incredibly high churches.

It seems that World War II and the later prosperity have diminished the charm of this town, but it is worth the visit anyway.


Site Info

Full Name
Hanseatic City of Lübeck
Unesco ID
272
Country
Germany
Inscribed
1987
Type
Cultural
Criteria
4
Categories
Urban landscape - Maritime
Link
By ID

Site History

1987 Inscribed

1983 Requested by State Party to not be examined

Locations

The site has 3 locations

Lübeck: Zone 1: Burgkloster - Aegidienstrasse Germany
Lübeck: Zone 2: Petrikirche - Dom zu Lübeck Germany
Lübeck: Zone 3: Marienkirche, Rathaus, Marktplatz Germany

Connections

The site has

Art and Architecture
Constructions
Damaged
Geography
History
Human Activity
Religion and Belief
Timeline
Trivia
WHS Hotspots
WHS on Other Lists
World Heritage Process

Visitors

Community Members have visited.

4matcha A. Mehmet Haksever A.thum AGrego AYB Aalberty Adrian Turtschi Airpunk Alessandro Votta Alexander Barabanov Alexander Lehmann Alfons and Riki Verstraeten Amandaea129 Ammon Watkins Ana Lozano Andreas Thum AndreasThum Andres Gomez Casanova Angel Ying Liu Ansitong AnteEP1979 Argo Ari Kailash ArnaudFilloux Ask Gudmundsen Aslak Aspasia Assif Astraftis Atila Ege Bazikoln Bill Maurmann Bin Bodil Ankerly Bram de Bruin Braza Brendan Carroll Brigitte Huber Bruno_Pires Butterflybird Byronb C82wc1 CHJLondon Caminographer Can SARICA Carhansen0131 Carlos Garrido Carlos Sotelo Carstenhansen Caspar Dechmann Cec Cezar Grozavu Cgrannem Chenqtao Cheryl CherylKla Chole Ross Christer Sundberg Christian Wagner Christoph Christravelblog Claire Bradshaw ClaireWhiteley ClaraHH Clyde Colossus Corinne Vail Craig Harder Csaba Nováczky Ctravel CugelVance CyBeRr Dachangjin3 Dagmara Daniel C-Hazard Daniel Gabi Danniella David Berlanda David Pastor de la Orden Davied Dgjohansson Dibro Dimitar Krastev Dimitrios Polychronopoulos Dirk-pieter Don Irwin Donald M Parrish Jr Donnico Dorejd Duesi73 Dutchbirder Echwel Einziger Elia Vettorato Ellen Nielsen Els Els Slots Emvcaest EngelMef Erik Jelinek Errol Neo Eva Kisgyorgy FK FS Fan Yibo Farinelli Federico P. Feldhase Femke Roos Fernweh Feudikbenson Flexiear Fool79 Frank Britton Frederik Dawson Frizzle Galgalula Garellos Garry Jackson Gary Arndt George Evangelou George Gdanski GeorgeIng61 GerhardM Gernot Gile363 Gilles GithaK Glibit Greg Troy Grendel Gongan Grimloch Haining Guan Harald T. Harry Mitsidis Hft Hokee Hsjamsil Hubert I&W Rohde IOM Iain Jackson Ian Cade If-pilot Ingemar Eriksson Ingrid Isabellemarais Ivan Rucek JBTOR JFrederking JGirlJGirl JR's HERITAGE SITES Jaakkotoivanen Jack Jacob Choi Jacob Otten Jakob Frenzel Jan Zimmermann Jan-Willem JanLindgren Jana Frenzel Jana and Matt Jani Hyppanen Janina Lehmann Janklak Jarek Pokrzywnicki Jasam Jason and Corrinna Javier Coro Jduffhue Jean Lecaillon JeanK Jeanaimart Jesse S 2010 Jezza Joachim Nölte-Baumann Joel on the Road Johanna Nybelius John Smaranda John booth Jon Bauer Jon Opol Jonas Hagung Jonas Kremer Jonas Martinsson Jordanovichy Jos Schmitz Jose Antonio Collar Joshuakirbens Joyce van Soest Jsalda Judit Andrea Juhász Judit Dalla Judith Tanner Julie July Junwang111 Juropa Jörg B. KGO Kai Thorben KarenBMoore Karin Heyl Kasia Kasia M. Kasper Kbecq Kelise Kelly Henry Kerékgyártó Kevin247 Kgeographer Khuft Knut KoenigMarke Kokoro Krafal_74 Krijn Kristin Krtek Kutasp Lara Adler Lars Jensen Laurey Lexxiface Lichia Lidiane Ligocsicnarf Ligocsicnarf89 Lisu Marian Loic Pedras Longo.ilaria Lorenzo Mejino Lubos Lier Lucio Gorla Luis Filipe Gaspar Luke725 Luke725 Luki501 MH MMM MaYumin Mahuhe Majkl20 Malcolm Malgorzata Kopczynska Manuelfunk Marie Morlon Markus Marta Lempert Martin Lind (Switzerland) Martina Rúčková Marvin B. Matthewsharris Mattias MaxHeAnouBen Małgosia Łupicka Michael Ayers Michael Mett Michael Novins Michael Rohde Michael Turtle Michaelsballard Michal Kozok Michal Marciniak Michiel Dekker Mikael Bjork Mikal Ahmet Mikko Mikko Syrjä Milan Jirasek MistyMauve90 Monika and Rini Morodhi Mtlmr Nafis N Nan Nasebaer NataliaS Nelson O Nicole Kilian Nihal Ege Nikolasruffet Nils Kronenberg NoahFranc NonDuality Nuria8 Olli-Pekka Turunen OnlyTheSnake Opperpco3 PJ PabloNorte Pascal Cauliez Patphilly Patrick Matgen Patrik Patrik_globe Paul Schofield Peltzi Peter Alleblas Peter Lööv PeterA PeterH Petra Petteri Pg280172 Philipp Leu Philipp Peterer Pigi9389 Potsdamer Preiki Pressdm Purrfect Q Ralf Regele Randi Thomsen Ray Ju Reiseblitz Reiseblog Reisedachs Reza Ricardo Silva Rickard Alfredsson RobRos Robertbue Robin Frank Rodinia Roger Enarsson Roger Ourset Roland Roman Bruehwiler Roman Koeln Roman Raab Ronbon Rswood Rudegirl Ruth Ryan09sb S.camel SaoDies Sascha Grabow Sazanami Schnitzel Sebasfhb Sebastian Seethebee Sergio Arjona Shaka_schulz Shandos Cleaver Shijie ZHU Shoaibmnagi Simonf Simonh Sinan SirLoydd Skalec SoeKoh Solivagant Sophie Stacy Stanislaw Warwas Stefan A. Michelfeit Stefan Loov Stefan and Mia Stephen S. Kamin Stetrab Stewie Stijn Strogan Sue hayton Sun_jianyuan@me.com Super-Sophie Svein Elias Szucs Tamas Tamara Ratz Tangopium Tarquinio_Superbo Tasmith87 Tcchang0825 Theyeattheworld Thibault Magnien Thijs van den Berg ThoOlb Thomas Buechler Thomas Kunz Thomas van der Walt Thorben Timonator Tingmelvin Tino A Offner Tischae Tom Flaten TonicSupernova Tonioto Tony0001 Tquist24 Tquist24 Travel Addicts TravelPeter84 Triath Truls Brekke Tsunami Usagi1974 Uwagner VLabhard Valentina ValeriiaK ValiaVeweth Vanessa Buechler Veronica Vicente B. Avanzado Jr. Viktor_balandin Vlad Lesnikov Vladimir Voice180 Volker1972 WHS Lux WILLIAM RICH WalGra Walter Walter H. Werner Huber Westwards Willem van Altena Wojciech Fedoruk Wolfgang Hlousa WolfgangHl Wtrentfox Wuzefelix Xiquinho Silva YaroMir Yevhen Ivanovych Yuri Samozvanov Zlatko Zos M Zoë Sheng Zsuzsanna Forray