"Straight from the pages of a fairy tale book" Top 5 Page for this destination Lübeck by Rupanworld

Lübeck Travel Guide: 271 reviews and 668 photos

In front of the Holstentor - Lübeck
In front of the Holstentor

Lübeck, situated on the Trave river, is the second largest city in the state of Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany. It is a major port city of Germany on the Baltic Sea. For many a centuries it was the "capital" of the Hanseatic League. It is on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites because of its beautiful Gothic architecture.

The old city of Luebeck has been maintained very well in its beautiful fairy tale-like medieval look with old colourful bricky buildings and narrow bricky streets. Earlier, the city had to be entered only after passing one of four city gates, two of which remain today, the most photographed Holstentor (built in 1478) as depicted in my opening photo and the Burgtor (built in 1444).

The city skyline is dominated by seven church steeples. They are the Lübecker Dom (the city's cathedral), the Marienkirche (Saint Mary's Church), both built during the 13th and 14th centuries, St. Katharine's Church, St. Jacob's Church, Sacred Heart Church, St. Gille's Church and St. Peter's Church.

At the Puppetmuseum - Lübeck

At the Puppetmuseum

Luebeck was founded by Adolf von Schauenburg in 1143 and redeveloped by Henry Lionheart in 1157. It grew up as a powerful and very prosperous place and a centre of medieval city states that dominated trading in the North and Baltic Seas. During this period, Lübeck was the second largest city of Germany after Cologne. It's glory continued till the early 20th century. However, during the Second World War, it suffered heavy damages. There were heavy bomibing in the city. The seven towers of the city were also badly damaged. However, the awareness of its citizens has led to reconstruction of the city thereafter including the famous seven towers, many houses and alleyways. Lübeck is now claimed to be the cultural capital of the northern Germany.

Lübeck is also the home of three Nobel Prize winners: Thomas Mann (1875-1955 / Nobel Prize for Literature in 1929), Willy Brandt (1913-1992 / Nobel Peace Prize in 1971), and Günter Grass (1927- / Nobel Prize for Literature in 1999).

with the statue of Devil outside St. Marien Kirche - Lübeck

with the statue of Devil outside St. Marien Kirche

another thing Lübeck is famous for is its marzipan industry, and it is said that Marzipan was first made in Lübeck (perhaps because of either a military siege of the city or a famine year). The story goes like this. There was no food left in the city except stored almonds and sugar and so these were used in an innovative way to make loaves of marzipan "bread". This was sometime in 1800. However, contrary beliefs also say that marzipan might have been invented in Persia a few hundred years before that in Lübeck. The famous Niederegger is the best known producer now and is itself a tourist attraction, especially during Christmas time. In Lübeck, marzipan is served with a glass of "Rotspon", a Bordeaux wine refined and widely appreciated in Lübeck, and people even say that it tastes better than the original of France. This might ofcourse be disputed but they say there is no dispute about the great pairing, marzipan and Rotspon.

Like many other places in Germany, Lübeck has also a long tradition of Christmas markets in December. The celebration mood however was already there when we visited the city in November. There was a great festive mood around and we loved to be in the city.

One can check the official website http://www.luebeck-tourism.de before going to Luebeck.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Pretty walkable, very red.
  • Cons:uneven roads at Altstadt
  • In a nutshell:As you walk along the street, you are reminded of your favourite childhood fairy tales
  • Last visit to Lübeck: Nov 2007
  • Intro Updated Jan 8, 2008
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Reviews (52)

Red bricky city - Lübeck Red bricky city Favorites (3)

One beautiful thing about this city is that a major part of it including the roads is made of red bricks and the city at... more travel advice

Interesting gables - Lübeck Interesting gables Favorites (3)

The houses all across the city have gables of different shapes and sizes and this is a uniqueness in itself. For once I... more travel advice

Fishing - Lübeck Fishing Local Customs (2)

While on my tour I saw many local enthusiasts busy fishing at the Trave quay. The sight was pretty interesting. Each... more travel advice

Fashion stores - Lübeck Fashion stores Shopping (3)

All across the city I came across many fashion stores and this particular photo I took because the background picture of... more travel advice

Comments (7)

  • Reply
    yumyum's Profile Photo
    Aug 9, 2012 at 4:21 AM

    GReat page of Luebeck which is still on my wish list!

  • Reply
    Oct 8, 2008 at 4:14 AM

    great tips!

  • Reply
    hunterV's Profile Photo
    Apr 4, 2008 at 12:50 PM

    Hello, Rupa! Great trip and I enjoyed reading your story! Vielen Dank! Ich besuche Lübeck gern!

  • Reply
    goutammitra's Profile Photo
    Feb 10, 2008 at 6:08 AM

    Onek gulo tip dekhlam. Oi fishing er byaparta darun laglo. Ami jodi kono din okhane jai tahole mach nischoi dhorbo! Bhanga Bell pore thaka ta bhalo noi. Ami ager tip gulo bodh hoi dekhechi tai aar touch korlamna.

  • Reply
    RAJASTHANBYCAR's Profile Photo
    Jan 28, 2008 at 8:23 AM

    Great tips and picturs.

  • Reply
    mallyak's Profile Photo
    Jan 22, 2008 at 12:32 PM

    G'Day from sydney!Your Photography is getting better..Will keep visiting.Rgds

  • Reply
    Paarie's Profile Photo
    Jan 11, 2008 at 12:13 AM

    Great story with excellent tips & photos. The direction tip is very useful. Your page here is very useful for those who want to make a short day trip to the city. Thanks.

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