Power and beauty: Lübeck

Lübeck, the Queen of the Hanseatic League, was founded in 1143 as 'the first western town on the Baltic coast' and is a shining example of all the Hanseatic towns and cities along the Baltic. Today, its appearance is still characterised by a medieval ambience and by cultural and historical attractions harking back to Lübeck's glorious past as a free imperial and Hanseatic town.

A beacon of freedom and a centre for global trade

Over the centuries, Lübeck's name has stood for freedom, justice and prosperity. Lübeck law was, for its time, a progressive set of land and maritime regulations and inspired the establishment of over 100 towns near to the Baltic Sea, paving the way for the Hanseatic League's dramatic rise to become the biggest trading power of its age. Its undisputed capital was Lübeck, one of the most illustrious early seats of global trade. Surrounded by water, the old town with its seven towers and five principal churches brings to life 1,000 years of history and is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Rightly so, because all the many Gothic, Renaissance, baroque and neo-classical buildings, narrow lanes and streets, churches and abbeys, merchants' houses and fortifications come together to form a remarkable whole. The most significant examples are the ensemble around the town hall, the castle abbey, Koberg – a district that has remained unchanged since the late 13th century – with the Church of St. James, the Hospital of the Holy Ghost and the buildings between Glockengiesserstrasse and Aegidienstrasse, the grand old patrician town houses between St. Peter's Church and the cathedral, the Holsten Gate and the salt warehouses on the western banks of the river Trave.

Another side to the town and three Nobel Prize winners

Medieval Lübeck is a fascinating place for a stroll, especially as it has plenty of modern attractions as well. When the sun goes down, the numerous pubs, restaurants, bars and clubs come to life, transforming the town into a buzzing place for a night out where even usually shy and retiring locals can let their hair down. Maybe Günter Grass too, who along with Thomas Mann and Willy Brandt is one of the three Nobel laureates associated with Lübeck. The Forum for Literature and Fine Arts, known simply as the Günter Grass House, contains a permanent exhibition of art produced by this celebrated author and explores the close connections between his literature and artworks. Alongside Grass's achievements, special exhibitions also feature other multi-talented personalities' works in the fine arts, literature and music. The house also has a garden with sculptures by Grass, an archive, a library and a shop.

Lübeck marzipan and the town's seaside resort

Lübeck would never have been crowned Queen of the Hanseatic League without its 'little princess' Travemünde. As a wealthy trading town, Lübeck depended on free access to the sea and it bought this little fishing village for 1,060 pfennigs back in 1329. It was a worthwhile buy, as a trip to this pretty little harbour town will prove. Another good buy is Lübeck marzipan. Almonds, which are the main ingredient, are said to have first been introduced to Lübeck in the 13th century. Marzipan, then a rare confection, was believed to have healing properties. Because of this, in the 16th century, only apothecaries were allowed to make marzipan. Soon however, the nobility adopted this delicacy and served marzipan as a dessert. It was generally kept away from ordinary people – but luckily this has not been the case for a long time now.