Germany, day 38: Lübeck

As the (former) students of the course had an extra day on their rail passes, we took the opportunity to go to Lübeck, without the professor. As my Dad was around, and also had an extra day on his/our rail pass, he decided to come with us, a welcome addition that increased the number of photographers by one. Altogether, I think we had a total of ten people going, as some had stayed behind or gone to Munich on their own.

The Holsten Gate

One of our first sights in Lübeck was the Holsten Gate, the sign for which describes it as “a trademark of the city” and the former middle gate of the city's four gates. We assume that the gates are no longer in use, or that some have been destroyed.

A scenic market

We came across an outdoor market, which are fairly common in Germany, and as this one was in scenic Lübeck, we investigated. Amongst the fruit, meats, and breads, there was a most-interesting vendor of silvers and turquoise. Of course, not being from the US southwest, there was a large premium, and I wouldn't have bought any either way.

The Death's Dance Organ

(Todestanzorgel)

I had forgotten (or had never known) that Buxtehude was in Lübeck! We discovered his church, which contained this organ. There was, of course, a larger one:

...but the free “brief organ concert” was played on the smaller. The “concert” was really a 10-minute sermon with, at most, two minutes of organ. We were disappointed, especially as we had delayed lunch to hear the concert.

Lunch was good; I had a pesto spaghetti and a Schwarzbier – a “black beer”, made by Köstritzer.

After lunch, the group parted ways as some returned to Bremen and others continued to tour churches. Dad and I toured churches, but my camera battery died, so I am short on pictures.

As we had made no previous plans, those remaining eventually decided to leave and find a train. We contemplated going farther north for the evening, but we decided instead to return to Bremen with an EC train, which all our passes covered. It was fast and very comfortable, which we very much enjoyed.