Lübeck

Lübeck is a city in northern Germany, located in the state of Schleswig-Holstein on the Trave river near the Baltic Sea.

The city traces its origins to 1143, when Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, founded a port and trading settlement. Lübeck quickly grew into a leading member of the Hanseatic League, and its merchants prospered from trade in timber, grain, salt, and other goods.

The historic center of Lübeck is renowned for its brick Gothic architecture and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site designated in 1987. Notable landmarks include the Holstentor, a 15th-century city gate, and St. Mary's Church (Marienkirche), among others.

Today Lübeck remains an important port and regional center for commerce and tourism. The city is also famous for marzipan, particularly Niederegger, founded in 1806. As of the early 2020s, Lübeck has around 216,000 residents.