Holsentor - the gateway to Lubeck
Marienkirch exterior
Marienkirch interiorWell that is what the guidebook says. Who am I to disagree. It is a pretty cool city. A lot of people get around on bikes here so it must have something.
Just to bore you briefly with a bit of history. Lübeck started out as a Slav settlement around the 11 th century but really hit it´s straps in the 13th to 15th centuries as a Hanseatic trading city linking northern and eastern Europe with western and southern Europe. It helped that it had a special remit and protection from the Emperor. One of the big items of trade was salt and the salt storehouses are directly opposite my hotel room. They called it white gold!
The city´s power waned with the onset of the Industrial Revolution. This probably protected all the marvellous architecture of the city in a bit of a time warp until the 2nd WW. In 1942 allied bombers firebombed the city. Perhaps to practice their skills for the later Dresden bombing. None of this was needed in a military sense and in my view was a disgrace.
Post war, a good proportion of the public buildings including the magnificent Marienkirch were reconstructed and, from the 60´s through to now, restoration of ordinary homes followed as well as sympathetic more modern construction. The result is a very attractive old city retaining it´s medieval street layout and surrounded by water.
I haven´t seen all I wanted to (the laundry is important too) but I have had a good taste of it. Marienkirch is a magnificent Gothic Cathedral of brick is probably the highlight but there are many other great buildings. (photos later).
Bill has said to try Lübeck marzipan but I forgot because I was obsessed about the laundry. I realise now that marzipan is more important than laundry. Sorry to rabbit on about the laundry.
Just to bore you briefly with a bit of history. Lübeck started out as a Slav settlement around the 11 th century but really hit it´s straps in the 13th to 15th centuries as a Hanseatic trading city linking northern and eastern Europe with western and southern Europe. It helped that it had a special remit and protection from the Emperor. One of the big items of trade was salt and the salt storehouses are directly opposite my hotel room. They called it white gold!
The city´s power waned with the onset of the Industrial Revolution. This probably protected all the marvellous architecture of the city in a bit of a time warp until the 2nd WW. In 1942 allied bombers firebombed the city. Perhaps to practice their skills for the later Dresden bombing. None of this was needed in a military sense and in my view was a disgrace.
Post war, a good proportion of the public buildings including the magnificent Marienkirch were reconstructed and, from the 60´s through to now, restoration of ordinary homes followed as well as sympathetic more modern construction. The result is a very attractive old city retaining it´s medieval street layout and surrounded by water.
I haven´t seen all I wanted to (the laundry is important too) but I have had a good taste of it. Marienkirch is a magnificent Gothic Cathedral of brick is probably the highlight but there are many other great buildings. (photos later).
Bill has said to try Lübeck marzipan but I forgot because I was obsessed about the laundry. I realise now that marzipan is more important than laundry. Sorry to rabbit on about the laundry.
3 comments:
Bernie
Already in Lübeck. Well done.
Jette and Buller was here last monday, because we had a great party celebrating my 65½ years birthday. We found some time to talk about you also.
The main theme was what to do while you are here. Tomorrow, Saturday 28 June Susan and I will be going to our summer house located in Rørvig on the north coast of Sjælland, some 60 km north of Copenhagen (plus a pleasant, short ferry trip). There we will stay until Sunday 6. July. We cannot really move this stay in the house, because we share it with others, and this week is our allotted time. Actually we have it also the following week, but it seems that I have to work that week. So much for semi retirement. If you are in the country during the week 30.June-6.July I think that you should come and stay with us at the summer house. We have spare bed or sofa, and we will bring linen etc for you also.
If you are in Copenhagen the week after it will be easy to meet.
We cannot read mails at the summer house, although I bring a portable PC; but I do not believe it will work.
You can reach me on my mobile number +45 72424549. When in Denmark, leave out the +45.
We are looking forward to meeting you again soon.
Susan and Anders
Hi Bernie
how the time has flown already you are in Germany! I visited Lubeck many years ago, I was most impressed with the lions beside the city gates....I presume they are still there. You have had some amazing experiences and met some lovely people - how often the small chance meeting opens a new door. We are off to Lord Howe Island tomorrow, a totally different experience to yours! - the most southerly coral atoll in the Pacific and a World Heritage Area. Lots of r&r, books and walking around the volcanic peaks.we look forward to reading more of your blog and catching up with you when you return - kind regards, greg and lesley
Dad, your blog entries are sounding more and more joke-y. A good thing. Missing you a bit...I have no-one to complain to at home. Hope you, and your laundry, are fab. Love soph
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