Page 25 - Dreamscapes Magazine | Spring/Summer 2025

PHOTOS: LTM | HISTORICGERMANY.TRAVEL. OPPOSITE: #VISITFRANKFURT/DAVID VASICEK | BEMBEL
DID YOU KNOW?
Lufthansa’s name
(Luft-hansa) is a testimony
to the importance of the
Hanseatic League.
THE FIRST GLOBALISTS
The Hanseatic League in Germany Celebrates 670 years in 2026
BY KAREN BURSHTEIN
cake at the more than 200-year-old Café
YOU’RE ENJOYING A SLICE OF MARZIPAN
Niederegger in Lübeck. But did you know
you’re sitting at the heart of one of medieval
Europe’s key trading centres?
Lübeck, the Queen City of the Hanseatic League,
was a founding member of the powerful federation
of merchant guilds and market towns that
controlled Baltic and North Sea trade from roughly
the 13th to the 17th centuries.
The League connected cities across present-day
Germany, Poland, Latvia, Estonia and beyond.
Beyond trade, it also fended off pirates and
marauding Vikings, influenced urban development,
and wielded significant political power.
Baltic Boom Towns
The League made boom towns across the Baltic,
attracting entrepreneurs and artisans who built
sumptuous Gothic buildings and towering
churches. Although the League in Germany petered
out by the late 16th century, its legacy endures in art,
architecture and early global trade principles.
Revived in 1980 as “Die Hanse,” the association now
promotes cooperation and cultural exchange among
former Hanseatic cities.
A Gothic Trade Tour
As global trade dominates the news, isn’t it a good
time to join a Historic Highlights of Germany tour of
Hanseatic Germany? You’ll explore medieval shops,
meet shipbuilders and brewers, and visit Lübeck,
Rostock, Osnabrück, and Münster—each inspiring
fairytale charm.
Some Highlights
Lübeck, the Hanseatic League’s de facto capital, was
a hub where merchants strategized. Today, it’s one
of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities, and a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Marvel at its ornate
brick gabled homes, Gothic churches, and the iconic
Holstentor, one of northern Europe’s most Insta-
worthy spots. Lübeck’s famous medieval courtyards
are hidden gems and a must-see.
Rostock, once a shipbuilding hub for the
League’s high-sided cog ships, remains a city with
more than a whiff of maritime flair. Each August,
Hanse Sail draws historic and modern ships for one
of Europe’s largest maritime festivals. Make time
(excuse the puns) for a stop at the 15th century
astronomical clock in St. Mary’s Church, and watch
the clock’s hourly procession of dancing apostles—
a sheer delight.
Münster looks remarkably well-preserved
despite its 1,200-year history. Hanseatic influences
are evident throughout the city, from aristocratic
gabled houses to the mighty St. Paulus Dom, along
with the Hall of Peace in the Gothic town hall. You
must also visit the 1648 Café for the incredible
panoramic view of the Gothic city. Münster exudes
youthful energy, thanks to its many university
students, navigating the city by bike.
Osnabrück’s historic Market Square showcases its
Hanseatic-era brick and stone architecture. Take a
look at the extraordinary silhouettes, showcasing its
impressive brick architectural legacy. The city’s
“Steinwerke” vault houses stand as testaments to its
trading past. Browse the shops along the old trade
routes before stopping at Osnabrück’s local brewery
near St. Peter’s Cathedral for a well-earned beer.
DS
TRAVEL PLANNER
For more on Germany’s Hanseatic heritage, visit
Historic Highlights of Germany,
historicgermany.travel
SPRING/SUMMER 2025 DREAMSCAPES 25