Lübeck History

In 1143, Earl Adolf von Schauenburg built a settlement for merchants on the hill "Buku" that was surrounded by the rivers Wakenitz and Trave because he wanted to make the Slavonian region German.

This, however, caused problems with Duke Henry the Lion and the Earl.

In 1157, the city burnt down and Duke Henry rebuilt the city on the same area.

As the location of the city was so suitable, Lübeck got numerous privileges. In 1160, the city became diocese and the first dome was consecrated.

In the year 1201, Lübeck was captured by the Danes, which were finally defeated in Bornhöved 25 years later. From then on, Lübeck's power was rising and the city became the center of sea trade in the Baltic Sea. In 1226, Lübeck was appointed Free Imperial City by Friedrich II, which lasted until 1937.

In 1241, the two North-German cities Lübeck and Hamburg became member of the "Hanse", an important league of trading cities in North Germany. Because of its advantageous position at the sea, Lübeck got head of the Hanse and the meetings were held in Lübeck's city hall from 1356.

The seaside resort Travemünde near Lübeck was acquired in 1329 which made Lübeck's great position at the sea even better.

The wars with Denmark from 1370 to 1380 improved Lübeck's position very much. At the end of the 14th century, a canal was built to connect the rivers Trave and Elbe.

In 1531, Lübeck got Protestant, the monasteries were dissolved and turned to schools and poorhouses.

Due to the end of the Hanse in 1630, Lübeck's wealth and influence decreased although it still was an affluent city until the occupation by Napoleon at the beginning of the 19th century that hurt Lübeck seriously.

Still not completely recovered, Lübeck suffered quite much under the regime of the Nazis and became part of Schleswig-Holstein in 1937.

During the Second World War, the city was destroyed to a large extent, but fortunately, many buildings of the historic city center did not suffer any damages. Therefore, Lübecks historic city center was appointed UNESCO World Heritage in 1987.