In the Footsteps of the Hanseatic Cities

Blog 15 by Krisztina

Hallo followers,

If you think about Hamburg, Bremen or Rostock, I am pretty sure that you automatically imagine the typical red-brick houses and the port, which these Hanseatic cities are famous for. We all know that the Hanseatic League (Hanse) was a commercial federation in Northern Germany and the whole Baltic and North Sea area. As a result, there are 195 Hanseatic cities around Northern Europe which could still preserve the history, the architecture and the wealth of the Hanse.

The good news for you is that there are many Hanseatic cities around Hamburg which you can easily visit within a day. So I would like to recommend you some places if you are interested in the Hanse history or impressed by this Brick architecture.

  • Lübeck: Known as “The Queen of the Hanseatic League” that used to be the capital of the league that controlled trade in the North for many years. Situated only 58km North-East from Hamburg, it can be reached within 45 minutes by direct trains. You can find here the European Hansemuseum, which is the largest museum in the world dedicated to the history of the ‘Hanse’. However, nowadays Lübeck is well-known mainly for its marzipan (Lübecker Marzipan). So if you are in the city, make sure you visit the Marzipan Museum and the shop.

 

  • Lüneburg: Known as the “Salt Capital of Germany” that ensured the city’s power and wealth for more than 1000 years. Situated only 50km South-East from Hamburg, it can be reached within 30 minutes by direct trains. Here you can find the German Salt Museum, which recalls the history of the oldest and, at one time, the greatest industrial operation in central Europe.

 

  • Buxtehude (the picture above): Called as the “Fairy Tale Town”. Situated only 22km South-West from Hamburg, it can be reached within 30 minutes by S-Bahn 3 from the Central Station. A picturesque town along the Este River where numerous German tales are set. For example: «The Hare and the Hedgehog» by the Brothers Grimm.

Bis später!

Krisztina