In addition to its many architectural features, Lübeck has much to offer culturally. Today, we try to explore the southern part of the old town. The cathedral and the museum quarter are well worth a visit. At the end of the day, we will visit the Schiffergesellschaft.
From our hotel, Hotel Jensen, we walk along the street ‘An der Obertrave’ to the Marlesgrube. Passage no. 56 is particularly worth seeing. We reach the Hartengrube via the “Düstere Querstraße”.
The Alte Strecknitzfahrer Amtshaus (Old Strecknitz Driver’s Office) reminds us how boatmen once transported salt from the Lüneburg saltworks to Lübeck via the Strecknitz Canal. The route continues along the Trave, past the Effengrube, and through the Kleiner Bauhof to the cathedral.
Next to the cathedral is the Museum of Nature and the Environment, which catches our eye with a whale skeleton on display in front of it. It is from a 14-metre-long sperm whale stranded off the Danish island of Römö in 1997.
We circle the cathedral and arrive at the cathedral school. It’s impressive how many bicycles are parked here. After all, it is February 5th, and very cold!
At 131 meters, Lübeck Cathedral is one of the longest brick churches in the world. It was built by Henry the Lion and consecrated in 1247.
The cathedral was built on soft ground. Although the spires have already been hydraulically raised, anchored deeper, and stabilized, extensive renovation work is currently required again and is not scheduled for completion until 2033.
Worth seeing are the triumphal cross and the rood screen (the barrier that separated the space for priests and monks from that for lay people) as well as a series of winged altars.
After a look at the so-called Parade with a few rays of sunshine, we continue through Fegefeuer’ (purgatory) to the St. Annen museum quarter. There is a synagogue right next door.
The Museum Quarter includes the St. Annen Museum and the St. Annen Art Gallery.
The museum houses the largest collection of medieval winged altars in Germany and the only Gothic high altar from a Lübeck church. Lübeck gold and silversmith works, musical instruments, and insights into the city’s living culture complete the exhibition.
In the Nordic Wine House on Fleischhauerstrasse, we find the Rotspon, a Lübeck specialty. Red wine from France is delivered in barrels, matured, bottled, and then offered as Rotspon. Of course, there are many other rarities.
Through Lübeck’s city center, we return to the Schiffergesellschaft (Sailors Society). The Schiffergesellschaft was first documented in 1229 and founded in 1401 as the St. Nicholas Brotherhood. Around 1530, membership became mandatory for all Lübeck sailors. The restaurant has been open to the public for almost 150 years.
The historic hall is richly decorated with ship models. The food is excellent, and the service is very friendly and helpful.
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