Hamburg
Lübeck - medieval charm and marzipan
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Lübeck may appear to be just another charming little German town, but Unesco have placed it on a par with the Great Wall of China!
The "Altstadt", the historic quarter of Lübeck, was partially destroyed during the war but was rebuilt and is now an architectural museum of the Middle Ages. It has recently been elected a "Unesco World Heritage Site" because of its unspoilt historical value.
In the Middle Ages, the town was an influential trading centre and the head of the Hanseatic League, an early merchant's union. At the height of its power, the council commanded a commercial empire, spreading from Denmark to Poland.
 Today, Lübeck is probably best known for its marzipan factory, "Niederegger". Marzipan was discovered in the Orient and then made its way to Germany via Lübeck. At first, it was sold in chemists as a remedy for impotence. By the 1900's, it had found its way into Germany's coffee houses as a sweet snack. Today, 700 staff work at the Niederegger factory and produce marzipan bars, fruits or buildings, based on those found in the town. Its products are exported to 32 countries worldwide, including England, Australia and Mexico.
Visitors can visit the "Marzipan Salon" where they can learn about the history of the company. "Niederegger" also offers a very sweet attraction: a marzipan monument of life-sized figures of the people who played a role in the company's history. There is no admission fee and in the factory, café visitors can try over 300 varieties or specialities made from marzipan.
Address:
Konditorei-Café Niederegger
Breite Straße 89
23552 Lübeck
Tel: 0049 4 51 53 01 126
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-7pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-6pm
Links
Lübeck tourist board
Complete with food, travel, city info and shopping section. In English and German.
Niederegger Marzipan
Official website of the Niederegger marzipan factory. It tells you about the history, products, services and online shop. In English and German.
The Hanseatic League
A short history of the Hanseatic League. In English.
These links do not constitute
an endorsement by the BBC of the companies, their services or
products. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external
sites.
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