FCT 2005

The city of Lübeck looks back on over 850 years of history. It was originally founded in 1143 by Earl Adolf II. von Schauenburg and newly founded in 1159 by Duke Heinrich dem Löwen after the town was destroyed by a great fire. In the Middle Ages, Lübeck developed to become the political and financial centre of Northern Europe due to its economically and geographically advantageous position. It became the leader of the Hanseatic League, a seafaring rights-and-trading alliance of over 200 towns. Lübecks influence is documented in its appearance which is dominated by five monumental churches, namely the Dom, St. Jakobi, St. Petri,St. Marien and St. Aegidien, all built from the 12th to the 14th century. Their seven steeples can still be seen today, climbing high above the brick Gothic buildings which form the shape of the Old Town nowadays. There are over 1000 protected historical buildings in Lübeck. The Old Town is completely surrounded by water and can conveniently be explored by feet. Not far from the conference venue, there lies the Holstentor, somehow the "entrance" to the Old Town. The centre of the town is the market place with the Town Hall, built in the 13th and 14th centuries. Other interesting sights are the Salzspeicher (salt lofts), the Schiffergesellschaft (assembly hall of sailors), the Heiligen-Geist-Hospital (former hospital for ill and old people), the Burgkloster (monastery belonging to the castle) and the Alte Seefahrtschule (former merchant navy training college). Apart from these famous historical buildings, there are a lot of narrow alleyways stretching from the front of the buildings and leading to romantic courtyards, giving the Old Town a very characteristic and charming appearance.

OurSightseeing Tour in Lübeck.)

Points of Interest