Lübeck is an Island of culture

The historic Old Town which is surrounded by water is a significant symbol of brick stone architecture from the Gothic period. The most important buildings are listed as World Heritage: the Town Hall, the convent "Burgkloster", a completely preserved quarter of the late 13th century (Koberg) with St. Jacob's church, the Hospital of the Holy Spirit and all the buildings between "Glockengießerstraße" and "Aegidiensstraße", a quarter with patrician houses of the 15th and 16th Century between St. Peter's church and Lübeck's Cathedral, the impressive Holsten Gate and the salt warehouses on the left side of the Trave river. Especially during Christmas time a visit of the Christmas fairs should be combined with a visit of Lübeck's museums. Enjoy the quiet and contemplative atmosphere and the unique combination of historic buildings and interesting exhibitions.

• Visit the world of Thomas Mann at the Buddenbrook-House. The main scene of action of Thomas Mann's Nobel prize winning novel "Buddenbrooks" is Lübeck. Although the name of the "mediocre trading centre on the Baltic Sea" is never mentioned in the novel, there is not one street, square or place in this novel's city that does not allow itself to be identified in Lübeck. The house at Mengstraße 4 is at the heart of this novel. Open 19th December 2009 until 15th March 20010.
  Opening hours: 1st Nov-31st March, Mon-Sun: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  (closed 24th Dec., 25th, 31st Dec. and 1st Jan.)
  Mengstraße 4
• Discover the diversity of Günter Grass, Germany's famous Nobel Laureate in literature, at Günter Grass-House. The permanent exhibition presents the Nobel laureate's visual art and shows the close links between his literary production is with his artwork.
  Opening hours: 1st Jan-31st March, Tue-Sun: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; 1st April-31st Dec, Mon-Sun: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  (closed 24th Dec., 25th, 31st Dec. and 1st Jan.)
  Glockengießerstraße 21
• Experience the "small MoMa" in the Kunsthalle with works of Picasso, Beckmann and others.
  Opening hours: 1st Jan.-31st March, Tue-Sun 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; 1st april - 31st Dec, Tue-Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  (closed 24th Dec., 25th, 31st Dec. and 1st Jan.)
  St. Annen-Straße 15
• Enjoy a guided tour at St. Anne´s-Museum and find the answer to the question: why do we set up a Christmas tree?
  Opening hours: 1st Jan.-31st March, Tue-Sun: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; 1st Apr. - 31st Dec, Tue-Sun: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  (closed 24th Dec., 25th, 31st Dec. and 1st Jan.)
  St. Annen-Straße 15
• Take a stroll around one of the most important cloisters of Northern Germany, the Castle Monastery, and visit the permanent exhibition about living in Lübeck in the Middle Ages.
  Opening hours: 1st Jan.-31st Mar., Tue-Sun: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; 1st Apr. - 31st Dec, Tue-Sun: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  (closed 24th Dec., 25th, 31st Dec. and 1st Jan.)
  Hinter der Burg 2-6
• Visit the Holsten Gate and review the rise of Lübeck as "Queen of the Hanse".
  Opening hours: 1st Jan.-31st march, Tue-Sun: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; 1st Apr. - 31st Dec, Mon-Sun: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
  (closed 24th Dec., 25th, 31st Dec. and 1st Jan.).
  Holstentorplatz
• Enter one of the most beautiful historic houses, the Behnhouse / Drägerhouse, and be fascinated by the paintings of Caspar David Friedrich, Max Liebermann and others.
  Opening hours: 1st Jan.-31st March, Tue-Sun: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; 1st Apr. - 31st Dec, Tue-Sun: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
  (closed 24th Dec., 25th, 31st Dec. and 1st Jan.)
  Königstraße 9-11
• TheaterFigurenMuseum: Five historic half-timbered houses have been connected to form one of the world's largest collections of puppets, stages, props, graphics, posters and barrel organs from the past three centuries from all corners of the world.
  Opening hours: 1st Nov.-31st March, Mon.-Wed.: 11 a.m. -5 p.m., Fri.-Sun.: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; 1st Apr.-31st Oct., Mon.-Sun.: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
  (closed 24th Dec., 25th, 31st Dec. and 1st Jan.)
  Kolk
• Willy-Brandt-House Lübeck: In its permanent exhibition the Willy-Brandt-House Lübeck presents the life and legacy of the Federal Chancellor, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and son of the Hanseatic City of Lübeck. You can explore the 20th century by following his trail through seven rooms, from the Weimar Republic to the reunification of Germany. Besides his biography the exhibition focuses on the topics of democracy, human rights and peace.
  Opening hours: 1st Apr. - 31st Dec, Mon-Sun: 10.00 a.m. - 5 p.m.; 1st Jan-31st Mar., Tue-Sun: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  (closed 24th Dec., 25th, 31st Dec. and 1st Jan.)
  Königstr. 21
• Murderous Christmas on 17th Dec., 6 p.m. and 18th Dec., 5 p.m. at St. Anne’s Art Gallery: sound improvisations from the polar circle and gloomy lights make for the thrilling atmosphere for a slightly spooky winter’s evening. Ticket: € 15.00/reduced € 10.00.