Lubeck Landmarks and Monuments

(Lubeck, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany)

Brimming with medieval landmarks, historic monuments and a huge amount of character, Lubeck has plenty to be proud of. With its famous 15th-century Holsten Gate (Holstentor), a prominent structure which has become synonymous with the city, other notable landmarks in Lubeck include the 13th-century Town Hall (Rathaus), the more recently built Municipal Library (Stadtbibliothek), and the stunning early 13th-century Heiligen Geist Hospital.

A more natural landmark is the River Trave, which in total, is around 120 km / 75 miles in length. Lubeck and Travemunde are connected by a modern toll tunnel (Herren Tunnel), which passes directly beneath the River Trave. Lubeck's main landmarks and monuments are explained below.

City Gate / Holsten Gate (Holstentor)

Address: Holstentorplatz, Altstadt, Lubeck, D-23552, Germany, DE
Tel: +49 0451 122 4129
One of Lubeck's most famous and iconic landmarks, the Gothic-style Holsten Gate (Holstentor) and its striking twin towers symbolise the city and everything it has to offer. Dating back to 1477, this beautiful fortification is much more than a city gate and today contains the city's popular Museum of Local History, where you will find a model of how the city looked some 400 years ago.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday, April to September - 10:00 to 17:00; October to March - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: no charge

Drehbrücke Bridge

Address: Willy-Brandt-Allee, Altstadt, Lubeck, D-23552, Germany, DE
A prominent local bridge situated within Old Town Lubeck, the Drehbrücke Bridge was built at the very end of the 19th century and links the main harbour areas. The bridge itself features a swing mechanism, allowing it to be moved when large ships need to pass through this waterway.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: no charge

Town Hall (Rathaus)

Address: Breite Strasse 62, Altstadt, Lubeck, D-23552, Germany, DE
Lubeck Town Hall stands in the heart of the Old Town district and was built during the 13th century. Over the years, the building has been changed, updated and extended several times, and today features a number of imposing spires and distinctive architecture from a range a different periods. Nearby you will find plenty of cafes spilling onto the pavements, with outdoor tables complete with parasols to shade you from the sun.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 11:00 to 16:00
Admission: no charge

Rantzau Castle (Schloss Rantzau)

Address: Parade 1, Altstadt, Lubeck, D-23552, Germany, DE
This beautiful 15th-century palace has become known for its golden facade and Gothic-style appearance. The Rococo Hall (Rokokosaa) is especially noteworthy and has been used as a meeting room since the 1760s. Currently, the Schloss Rantzau is used by Lubeck's society for the preservation of local German historic monuments.
Open hours: various events throughout the year
Admission: no charge

City Library / Municipal Library (Stadtbibliothek)

Address: Hundestrasse 5-17, Altstadt, Lubeck, D-23552, Germany, DE
Tel: +49 0451 122 4113
Much more than just Lubeck's city library, the Stadtbibliothek is a magnificent historical building and dates back to the mid-1920s. Inside you will find an enormous collection of books, current novels, literature and important old German documents, together with reading areas, magazines, temporary exhibitions, music from around Schleswig-Holstein, and many unusual German books of local importance. The library itself also functions as a notable regional scientific library.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 19:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 14:00
Admission: no charge

River Trave

Address: Travemünde, Lubeck, Germany, DE
An important natural landmark around which the city of Lubeck has grown, the River Trave is one of the biggest and most impressive rivers in the whole of Germany's Schleswig-Holstein region. Often extremely close to the Baltic Sea, the river meanders past many surrounding areas, before finally joining Lubeck Bay, next to the coastal Travemunde resort. Many stretches of the river are popular places for an afternoon stroll, with a number of benches scattered along the banks in some areas.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: no charge

Heiligen Geist Hospital

Address: Grosse Gröpelgrube 2, Altstadt, Lubeck, D-23552, Germany, DE
Tel: +49 0451 799 5610
Germany's oldest hospital and one of the city's much-loved local landmarks, the Heiligen Geist Hospital was built in 1227 and is today home to a selection of eateries and a Gothic-hall church, full of unusual chambers built to provide the sick with a level of privacy. Known for its four striking octagonal spires and beautiful exterior, Lubeck's Heiligen Geist Hospital is especially busy at Christmas time, when it hosts the popular Christmas Market.
Open hours: May to September, Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00; October to April, Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: no charge