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Hanseatic Citys - UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The mighty League of Hanseatic Citys with its nearly 200 members from all over Europe left behind many significant historic sights painting a vivid picture of architecture and social life in the 13th and 14th century. Especially along the eastern german Baltic coast imposing gothic churches and residences in carefully restored old towns serve as traces from this most prosperous period in our history. Some have even become UNESCO World Heritage sites, as they still today bear witness of life in the Middle Ages. As you unfortunately will have to choose between them, we list the attractions of the single places to make the choice a little easier for you.

Lübeck

Lübeck was appointed UNESCO World Heritage in 1987 as an appreciation of the restoration efforts in its historic old town. Still today it is one of the most beautiful towns of the former Hanseatic League. Luebeck's St. Marien Church was the model for numerous brick gothic monuments in the Baltic and has been carefully restored after the destruction during WW2. Right next to it is the market square with a boasting town hall mirroring a variation of styles and eras. A stroll through the old town leads to the studio of Günther Grass, the famous family Mann's Buddenbrockshaus and the Willi Brandt House Exhibition. The Holy Spirit Hospital was a medieval social institution and later served as a residence for seniors. Numerous alleyways and residential courts as well as the walkways along the river trave with warehouses and merchants homes still offer the visitor insight into the life of the merchants and craftsmen in the Middle Ages. A special souvenir and delicacy is the Marzipan candy. Luebeck's charming seaside resort Travemuende is only 30 min away.

Wismar

The citys Wismar and Stralsund were granted the status of UNESCO World Heritage in 2002 for their preservation of the medieval town centres with its churches, homes and markets. Wismar is 35 miles west of Rostock at Wismar Bay. Its market square is one of the largest in Northern Germany and seems like a picture book of architecture. Around the square you will find highlights such as the oldest preserved brick gabled home in Wismar, the "Alter Schwede", today a restaurant, and the beautiful "Water Art" - a decorative cover for the historic fresh water supply. Other places of interest are the monument of St. Marien Church, the reconstruction site of St. Georgen Church as well as the "Fuerstenhof" - remnant of the swedish period - and the charming "Alter Hafen" (old harbour). The only church that is completely intact today is St. Nicolas. Inside you will find a rich baroque furnishing plus many items that had were rescued from the ruins of St. Mary's and St. George's. Wismar is also a centre for ship building and wood industry. A tour of Wismar can easily be combined with a tour of Schwerin or Luebeck.

Stralsund

Stralsund approx. 40 miles east of Rostock was a leading town within the Hanseatic League in the 13th and 14th century. The historic old town still is a monument of brick gothic architecture and illustrates the wealth and power of this famous league of merchants in the middle ages. The splendid Rathaus (town hall) facade, the neighboring St. Nicholas Church with the rich medieval wall paintings and altars and St. Mary's with the famous Stellwagen Organ are the landmarks of the city. The preserved monasteries St. Katharines and St. Johns today serve as museums and library.Stralsund is one of the few places at the coast where you can still walk along a good share of the former town wall with its towers and gates. The impressive pylon bridge crossing to the island Ruegen and the new Ozeaneum (exhibition of oceanography) with its huge water bassins are the most recent sites. Stralsund is the gateway to the Isle of Ruegen. Did you for example know, that president George W. Bush visited Stralsund in 2006 and was equipped with the local speciality "Bismarck-Hering" (pickled herring) - named after the famous first chancellor of Germany. Stralsund is a town with a lively past and exciting present.

Hamburg

Germany's gate to the world has always been the port of Hamburg. It is still one of the largest and most modern container ports in the world. Around the port area the old "Speicherstadt" (warehouse quarter) shows its visitors how the merchants of Hamburg - called "pepperbags" used to do their business. Today there still is a smell of roast coffee here and merchants sell oriental carpets. One of the most fascinating museums of Hamburg is the Minature World, where a few railway buffs build a whole little world around their miniature trains. Further on in the city center the impressive town hall is a must see. From there it is just a few steps down to the Alster Lake - lined with villas and embassies from all over the world. Although Berlin is the capital, many institutions still are here in Hamburg instead of Berlin. It gives Hamburg that cosmopolitan flair. Hamburg is the best place for shopping in the north. From up-market design and international brands to second-hand paradises in the surrounding town quarters, everything is possible. Don't miss paying a visit to St. Michaelis, the church of the red-light district Reeperbahn, at 12.00 noon when all organs are being played for the midday service. Time permitting you should also take the chance of a drive along the "Elbchaussee" with its view to the river, fancy villas and lush green parks.