History and Culture

Lüneburgs wealth arose from trading salt within the Hanseatic League

The city "Lüneburg on the Ilmenau" was first mentioned in historical records during the tenth century. Today it has over 70,00 inhabitants. During the Middle Ages, the city was a member of the Hanseatic League and one of the most important trading centers for salt--a great source of wealth in those days for Lüneburg.

A small historical harbor, for example, still bears witness to that time, and today Lüneburg continues to call itself a "Hanseatic city." The ducal museum and the East Prussian regional museum reveal the city's history. Exhibitions in the German Salt Museum show the historical legacy of Lüneburg's salt production.

Lüneburg is full of cultural surprises: In three of Lüneburg's churches, you can enjoy the tones of old, world famous organs - Sebastian Bach even played on one of them, while he was living in Lüneburg. The Lüneburg art space shows exhibits in photography, painting, sculpture and video. The Lüneburg Literature Office, housed in Heinrich Heine's old home, invites you to readings and discussions with authors.