Hanseatic Conquest (Hamburg-Lubeck-Berlin)

Today we set off from Hamburg at around 8:00am this morning - and set off towards Lubeck - the old "meeting point" (not capital) of the Hanseatic League. I've already talked a little about these cities, but I'll go into a little more detail here.


The Hanseatic League was established in 1358 to protect commercial interests and privileges granted by foreign rulers in cities and countries the merchants visited. The Hanseatic cities had their own legal system and furnished their own protection and mutual aid. Despite this, the organization was not a city-state, nor can it be called a confederation of city-states; only a very small number of the cities within the league enjoyed autonomy and liberties comparable to those of a free imperial city (All that was from Wikipedia).


Lubeck was the place where they would meet to discuss trade practices, and is today Germany's largest port on the Baltic. It's importance has somewhat diminished in recent times, but Lubeck is still well worth a visit. It was with this information that we decided to go there as a little tour before heading to Berlin.


It was a lovely morning in Lubeck, and we entered the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Old Town (another site for Mum to tick off on her list) through the Holstentor (Holsten Gate). 

Holstentor - The entrance to Lubeck

Through the gate, we immediately stopped for morning tea, and Annabelle managed to chose a "Hanseatic Heart," while Emily chose a "Berliner" - essentially a Jam Doughnut.

Emily with her Berliner

Continuing on up the streets of Lubeck (which was Heritage listed due to its spectacular red brick architecture - as well as the unique position it occupies in history). We headed up to the Marienkirche (St. Mary's Church), which has the "highest brick-vaulted ceiling in the world" - not totally sure that's a thing to be hugely proud of - but it was pretty impressive, even if I couldn't really tell if it was that much higher than other brick vaulted ceilings I've been to (not many mind you).

We then walked through more of Lubeck's old streets til we found what I'm fairly sure is the only World Heritage Listed Nursing Home in the entire world. This is not a joke. This nursing home is of GLOBAL significance. It was quite beautiful. Here's Mum in front of it. It was still running up til 1970, and even today continues on site - albeit in a more modern building.

Back through the Lubeckian streets, we found a Lolly shop that has easily the best sour straps I have ever tasted. I mention this because Annabelle and I are still raving about the sour straps from this Lolly store - and I'm going to be trying quite hard to ship some over to Australia. 

From the Lolly shop, we continued to the Rathaus (Town Hall), then to another Church, and then back to the Piece de Resistance  of Lubeck - Niederregger Cafe. This was where the recipe for Marzipan was perfected - and they are proud of it. We had lunch there, then enjoyed some dessert - while Emily got the chance to sample some Gluhwein (Mulled Wine). 

Annabelle was able to sample some Marzipan Tea (which wasn't very nice) - and we did buy some Marzipan from Lubeck - it would have been a bit disappointing if we didn't (even if none of us really like Marzipan...).

Marzipan Sweeties from Niederegger Cafe. 

We then did the drive to Berlin, which took us about 3 hours - even at 150kmh. Getting to Berlin about 5:00pm - we  checked into our amazing apartment on Am Karlsbad 10, which is right next to Potsdamer Platz - Where we're staying used to be right on the edge of West Berlin!!

More to come in the days ahead!!