Last Sunday Vagn and I decided to visit the German city of Lübeck.
We took off early, as soon as it stopped raining.
There were some rain showers on our way, but they were easy to avoid.
We had our breakfast en route – that was very nice. Normally we would have breakfast in the hangar, but it was cold and dark when we met up in Kræmmersten. And why not have it whilst flying – it’s more fun.
The air was smooth, we had around 20-25 kts tail wind, and we enjoyed the early morning from air.
The German village of Neukirchen on the photo below. It is easily recognizable due to its church in the middle, surrounded by a circle of trees:
In 2004 an Association of Christian Motorcyclists (ACM) was established in Neukirchen. The ACM’s motto was “Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly!” Until the end of 2015 members of the ACM had regular meetings, and a pastor of the church created a special blessing motorcycling service that was held annually for the opening of the motorcycling season. But then there was a split between the members of ACM Neukirchen: a new association called Band of Brothers was established; the special church service for ACM stopped, and that was the end of the blessed motorcycle drive.
We landed in EDHL, and the German air traffic controller welcomed us in Danish! That was a pleasant surprise.
In front of the airport there was this big rock with a plaque commemorating members of the Royal Australian Air Force who flew 2062 missions from EDHL to Berlin during the Berlin airlift from June 1948 till May 1949:
Lübeck met us with with its beautiful streets, soaring churches, and unique architecture.
Lübeck is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. It was founded in 1143 and prospered until the 16th century as the major trading centre for northern Europe.
Hospice du Saint-Esprit from 1286 on the photo below, one of the world’s oldest existing social institutions, it hosts the very popular Christmas market in Lübeck. The residents of the hospital were subject to a monastery-like rule, but they were given food. They also got a warm bath eight times a year since the 17th century.
The basic structure of the old city consists mainly of 15th- and 16th-century patrician residences, churches and salt storehouses. What we loved most was a narrow network of alleyways (gänge). They were difficult to find. An entrance was often a very small and narrow gate, but if you dared to go through, you’d discover some beautiful places:
Interesting things were everywhere. We saw this detail on a building of the pastoral houses of St.Jacobi from 1601:
As we understood, it was a place where one could donate to help those in need. There is still a hole for coins in the lower part of that thing on the wall.
A door handle on one of the doors, probably representing a happy family living there. Or people standing in a queue to get in, who knows?
We had lunch in Schiffergesellschaft, one of the best restaurants in Lübeck. Set in a medieval mercantile building, this property was first mentioned in 1229. In 1535 The Schiffergesellschaft bought this house from St. Jacobi for 940 marks. The year 1535 is engraved in front of the building. The arcs between the buildings – we saw them many places. They most likely were build to protect the buildings from falling apart.
Originally it was a meeting place for ships’ captains until it became a restaurant in 1868. It now serves very good traditional local food which we enjoyed very much. Old model gigantic ships dangle from the beamed ceiling creating a special atmosphere:
The heart of the Old Town is surrounded by the river Trave on all sides. A harbour museum is the home port to more than 20 seaworthy traditional sailing ships:
We walked around and admired all those wonders on our way. Arcades of the former Chancellery House:
Market Square was full of life. There were food stalls, merchandise, and cheerful atmosphere.
People were enjoying the warm and sunny Sunday there, with live music.
We left Lübeck in the same way we entered it – through the Holstein Gate, probably the most photographed monument in Lübeck. It is regarded as a symbol of the city, and I also wanted to have a memory of it:
This 15th-century main gate is of such historical importance that its image appears on the German €2 coin.
Vagn was very interested in the cannons displayed outside:
It was a very pleasant day, full of exciting experiences. Lübeck from air:
Some former military buildings near the airport:
Southern Fehmarn:
The clouds on our way home were so alluring in the sunset’ light, we took many pictures of them:
One of those days you wish would never end…
