Lübeck and Wismar - Part I

This morning we arrived in the port of Warnemünde, Germany, the hopping off point for excursions to Berlin, which most of the passengers on our ship signed up for. Tim and I had debated whether or not to join this excursion since neither of had ever visited Berlin. In the end, we decided to pass. After traveling three hours on a train each way, we would have only six hours in the city. Six hours is a good amount of time, but a 12+ hour day was just too much for us.

Instead, we selected an excursion to Lübeck and Wismar, said to be two of Germany’s most beautiful seaside cities and each a powerful part of the medieval Hanseatic League. That description proved to be true.

We first drove to Lübeck, once the capital of the league. At one time, Lübeck was the most important mercantile town in the Baltic, and it is the largest German port on the Baltic Sea. Today, it is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in northern Germany and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Old Town Lübeck is an island enclosed by the Trave River, and it houses a wealth of culture and history that is simply enchanting. We entered the city through the impressive Holsten Gate, one of two remaining gates into Old Town and the landmark of Lübeck. We even met the two lions guarding the steps to the Holsten Gate.  One of them was actually guarding the steps – the other, not so much!

Holsten Gate

The "Guard" Lions

We admired the buildings along the river and then began our walking tour, which led us through the city’s alleyways, courtyards, and cobblestone streets to the main square.

Along the Waterfront

The Main Square

Tim at the Main Square

Lübeck is the city of the seven spires. Five Gothic brick churches form part of the impressive skyline, and we were able to see most of them. We also visited the Hospital of the Holy Spirit, one of the oldest social institutions still in existence.

Some of the Seven Spires

Hospital of the Holy Spirit

My favorite activity was simply wandering the streets and marveling at the architecture. What an incredible collection of preserved buildings.

The Architecture of Lübeck 

We ended our visit in Lübeck with lunch at the Café Niederegger, where marzipan was perfected, and we were given a box of these delicacies to take with us.  Next, it was back on the bus for the drive to Wismar.