Germany: Lubeck – Exploring the City
Lubeck is a historic town near the Baltic north coast of Germany that used to be one of the major towns of the Hanseatic League in the middle ages. The old town, a UNESCO Heritage site, is just stunning – located on an island, surrounded by water all around – the town is bursting with medieval architecture. You enter through the Holstentor Gates, guarding the western entrance, an iconic twin-tower from 1464, that is often associated with Germany overalls. Next is the St Peter’s Church from 1170 (next post for the observation tower), massive Lubeck Cathedral, ornate Town Hall from 1225, 13th century St Mary’s Church, St Jacobi Church from 1334, insanely ornate Schiffergesellschaft (Seafarer’s Guildhall) and equally stunning Hospital of the Holy Spirit building, and finally then northern gate – Burgtor – from 1444. All around the red brick towering churches are rows of Hansa-style brick houses and multiple atmospheric squares.
