Lübeck's Old Town churches are proud landmarks of the city's history and a spectacular scenery for special events but above all they are a symbol of a living faith. The illuminated skyline with the famous seven spires invites you to a shopping spree through the festively decorated Old Town streets. A visit to Lübeck during the Advent season is always an impressive event. When the snow is falling and the mighty church bells are ringing you will feel the true magic of Lübeck's Christmas. Enter the churches and listen to the splendid sounds of organs while attending one of the top-class church concerts and join in the Christmas carol singing: simply breathtaking moments.
For the entire church music programme visit: www.kirchenmusik-luebeck.de (German only).
Opening hours: Lübeck Cathedral, daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Mühlendamm 2-6 • Sacred Heart church (Herz Jesu Kirche), Parade 4 • St. Gille's church (St. Aegidien), Tue.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Aegidienstraße 75 • St. Jacob's church, Tue.-Son. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Jakobikirchhof 3 • St. Mary's church, daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Marienkirchhof • St. Peter's church, Tue. – Sun. 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Am Petrikirchhof 1
For more information about the churches visit www.kirchenkreis-luebeck.de or www.kath-kirche-luebeck.de (German only)
The churches in Lübeck's Old Town are vivid places - and historical buildings. Know more by reading the following portraits of the most important churches:
St. Mary´s (St. Marien) (www.st-marien-luebeck.de)
St. Mary's is the church of the council of Lübeck and the 3rd biggest church in Germany. It is an archetype of many other gothic churches in the whole Baltic area. St. Mary´s houses a lot of artwork for example the "Triumphkreuz" of Gerhard Marcks (1945) as well as the biggest mechanical organ in the world. From 1667 till 1707 Dietrich Buxtehude, the famous church musician and composer, was organist in St. Mary's.
Marienkirchhof, Phone: 0049 4 51/39 77 00, open daily: 10 am - 4 pm
The Cathedral of Lübeck (www.domzuluebeck.de)
The romanic building is the oldest monument in Lübeck. After the city became diocesan town in 1160, Henry the Lion started to build up this enormous church building. The Cathedral of Lübeck contains a lot of artwork, e.g. the "Triumphkreuz" of Bernt Noke (1477). The astronomical clock still runs on its original clockworks.
Mühlendamm 2-6, Phone: 0049 451 / 74 704, open: In the summertime daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and in the wintertime daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
St. Jacob´s church (St. Jakobi) (www.st-jakobi-luebeck.de)
During the Christmas season St. Jacob’s church resembles a quiet and peaceful
ship in the hustle and bustle. The Chapel of the Seven Seas will be open
as a room of silence and the former chapel of the beer brewers (opposite the
Seafarers’ Guild) offers a quiet place to rest and relax and a fascinating view
into the church hall.
A giant pot hangs from the ceiling, filled with a magic wish potion which seduces kids and grown-ups to wish and dream.
On the Koberg there are short moments full of dreams as well. At every full hour between 5 and 9 p.m. the clarion call of the Hospital of the Holy Spirit rings out to tell of the illumination of the church tower and the pastor’s houses. There’s music all around and stories can be seen on the house facades, which shine resplendently in lovely colours and forms.
Jakobikirchhof 3, Phone: 0049 451 / 30 80 115, open daily: 10 am - 4 pm
Sacred Heart church (Herz-Jesu church) (www.kath-kirche-luebeck.de)
The Herz-Jesu church (1888) is the catholic church Old Town Lübeck.
A memorial commemorates the chaplains who were sentenced to death
during the "Third Reich". Next to the church an info point "K-Punkt"
invites to a visit.
St. Gille's church (St. Aegidien)
The Baroque and Renaissance accoutrement of the smallest church
in Old Town (14. /15. century) is still preserved. Special attractions
are the gothic mural paintings and the graven "Singchor"
Aegidienstr. 75, Phone: 0049 451 / 70 56 22, open Tue.-Sat. 10 am - 4 pm
St. Peter's church (St. Petri) (www.st-petri-luebeck.de)
The romanic church was destroyed in the second world war. Rebuilding
started 1958 and was finished in 1961. Enjoy the gorgeous view
from the observation deck 50 metres form the ground (elevator).
Am Petrikirchhof 1, Phone: 0451 / 397730, open daily 10 am - 4 pm
St. Catherine's church (St. Katharinen)
The church of the mendicant order from the 14th century is a masterpiece
of gothic architecture. The interior houses a lot of artworks,
e.g. a monumental painting of the Venetian painter Tintoretto.
Königstr., Phone: 0049 451 / 122 41 80
Continuative Links:
Information about the evangelic church Lübeck under www.kirchenkreis-luebeck.de
Information about the catholic church Lübeck under www.kath-kirche-luebeck.de
Information about church music in Lübeck under www.kirchenmusik-luebeck.de