Trave

The Trave is a river in northern Germany, primarily running through Schleswig-Holstein and forming the main watercourse that leads to the Baltic Sea. Its lower reaches flow into the Bay of Lübeck, with the mouth located at Travemünde, a district of the port city of Lübeck. The river has long been associated with the maritime history of Lübeck and the wider region.

The Trave rises in the eastern part of Schleswig-Holstein and courses generally north-northwest for roughly 90 to 100 kilometers. It passes through the urban area of Bad Oldesloe before reaching Lübeck, where the river system opens into a tidal estuary. In its lower course the water is influenced by tides and becomes brackish as it approaches the Baltic. The river’s watershed supports a variety of habitats, including wetlands and riparian zones, that are important for migratory birds and local biodiversity.

Historically, the Trave served as a crucial trade route for Lübeck, one of the leading Hanseatic cities, helping to connect inland regions with Baltic ports. Today it remains navigable for smaller commercial vessels and recreational boats, and its banks are a focus for tourism and leisure. The Travemünde area features a historic lighthouse and a passenger ferry terminal, reinforcing the river’s continuing cultural and economic role. Environmental and flood-management measures protect settlements along the Trave and maintain the health of its estuary and adjacent shorelines.

The name Trave appears in medieval sources, and its precise linguistic origin is uncertain. The river is regarded as an integral part of the Lübeck region’s geography and heritage.