Lüneburg

Lüneburg (also Lueneburg or Lunenburg) is an attractive and historic town on the River Ilmenau, surrounded by the Lüneburg Heath in the North German state of Lower Saxony. The town lies about 50 km southeast of Hamburg and is the capital of the neighborhood of Lüneburg with a population of around 73,000.

Lüneburg Halal Explorer

Rathaus2 - Lüneburg's Town Hall

Early history

Archaeological finds show that the area was known to Neanderthal hunters and, later, Bronze Age settlers. The town may have been that referred to as Leuphana by Ptolemy, but it was officially founded in 956.

Lüneburg was built on a salt dome which made the town important and wealthy in the Middle Ages until 1600 when it started to decline. Tradition has it that salt was first discovered by a hunter who shot and killed a wild boar bathing in a swimming swimmingpool of water. When he hung its skin up to dry, he discovered it was full of white crystals – salt.

Lüneburg used to be overshadowed by the village of Bardowick to the north, which was a Slavic trading post. When Bardowick was destroyed by Henry the Lion in 1189, Lüneburg was granted town rights and took over the mantle as a trading centre. Its monopoly on salt production in Northern Europe quickly led to membership of the prestigious Hanseatic League – Lüneburg's salt was in great demand to preserve herring caught in the Baltic and North Seas. Initially salt was carted up the Old Salt Road to Lübeck, but was later transported by cog along river and canal. Lüneburg became very wealthy and, in 1371, threw out its princely ruler and the Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and destroyed his castle on the Kalkberg. In 1392 Lüneburg became a free imperial town, a status which lasted until 1637. Much of the wealth stemming from the salt trade can still be seen in the town, which boasts many buildings from Lüneburg's medieval heyday.

Modern period

The demise of the Hanseatic League and the overfishing of herring during the 16th century led to Lüneburg's decline. New building ceased and Lüneburg survived relatively unscathed by war, which is why the town centre has largely managed to preserve its medieval character. However and the very mining that made Lüneburg wealthy and powerful has lead to ground movements that have damaged some of the oled houses or lead to them being a bit crooked.

Lüneburg lost its independence in 1708, becoming part of the Electorate of Hanover, and then passed through a succession of states, before becoming part of the Prussian province of Hanover in 1866. During the 19th century it became a Prussian garrison town, but otherwise faded from the limelight.

In 1945, Lüneburg stamped its mark on history again when Field Marshal Montgomery took the German surrender on the Timeloberg hill, just south of the town. The spot is out-of-bounds in a military training area. Lüneburg also hosted the Belsen trial against perpetrators of the crimes at Belsen and Auschwitz concentration camps. Heinrich Himmler, infamous leader of the SS, committed suicide in Lüneburg and was subsequently buried in an unmarked location in a nearby forest.

Unlike many towns in Germany, Lüneburg was spared during World War II and virtually all of its historical buildings survived. That said, many historic buildings had fallen into dangerous decay. And it has only been since the 1970s that the town has been gradually restored to the tourist attraction it is today.

In 1980 the saltworks finally closed, ending a millennium of salt mining tradition in the town. In 1990, 3 of the 4 barracks were closed and the university moved to the site of one of them.

Lüneburg today

Today, Lüneburg is thriving again as the economic and administrative centre of the region, with a strong tourist industry as the northern gateway to the Lüneburg Heath – a popular holiday and weekend destination, especially for the citizens of Hamburg, Hanover and Bremen. It also has a popular university, its 10,000 students bringing a vibrancy to the town, balancing nicely its historical setting.

Although salt has not been mined industrially since 1980, you can still enjoy its benefits in the two large salt baths in the Salü (see below). Small quantities of salt are still extracted and sold, for example, as souvenirs.

Travel to Lüneburg

Fly to Lüneburg

The nearest international airport is Hamburg (IATA Flight Code: HAM) which is about 50 minutes' drive or 45 minutes train ride away. Other international airports include Hanover (IATA Flight Code: HAJ) (1 hour 20 minutes) and Bremen (IATA Flight Code: BRE) (1 hour 25 minutes). Lüneburg Airport is only used by light aircraft, ultralights, gliders and balloons.

Travel by train to Lüneburg

Lüneburg station - Lüneburg is on the main Hamburg-Hanover railway served by Deutsche Bahn and Metronom. The journey to Hamburg Central only takes 35 minutes. Intercities and the occasional ICE stop here. There is also a line to Lübeck on the Baltic Coast via Lauenburg by the river Elbe. Another line – the Wendland Railway (Wendlandbahn) – runs to Wittenberge. The cities of Lübeck and Hanover are about one hour away by rail. Please notice, that Lüneburg train-station is split in two parts. Lüneburg-West with the local connections and arrival of the slow MEr is just across the place in front of the main entrance.

By road

Since the building of the A 250 motorway in 1996 and the town is only 40 minutes drive from Hamburg. To approach from the south and west, head for Hanover and take the A7 motorway to Hamburg. Come off at the Garlstorf exit and pick up the L 216 which reaches Lüneburg after 26 km.

Lüneburg is also on the B 4 federal road, 36 km north of Uelzen.

Get Around

File:007 - Altstadt (Lüneburg) - The Altstadt

By foot

The Old Town (Altstadt) is quite compact and can easily be explored on foot.

By bus

There is a town bus network with 13 routes that all pass through the railway and central bus stations and all bar two pass through the central town square of Am Sande. Most routes run buses every 20 or 30 minutes between 05:00 and 19:00 on weekdays and then half-hourly to 21:00. Buses operate from 06:00 to 20:00 on Saturdays and from 13:00 to 20:00 on Sundays and public holidays every hour or half-hour. Otherwise there is a so-called ASM, i.e. mobile phone service. Some buses run out to the surrounding villages of Adendorf, Bardowick, Mechtersen/Vögelsen and Reppenstedt.

Lüneburg is also the departure point for many regional bus routes to, for example and the outlying villages of Deutsch Evern, Wendisch Evern, Embsen, Melbeck, Scharnebeck and destinations in the neighborhoods of Amelinghausen, Bleckede, Dahlenburg and Neetze. Other connexions run to the neighbouring neighborhoods of Winsen, Lüchow, Hitzacker, Lower Marschacht and Salzhausen. The regional bus service is part of the Hamburg Transport Association (HVV) and is operated in the northern and western sectors by the CCG and in the southern and northeastern sectors mainly by the Osthannover transport company (VOG).

Rent a Car or Limousine in Lüneburg

Car access to the town centre is very limited, but there are numerous, well-signed, vehicle parks just outside it. In particular and the Sülzwiese vehicle park just north of the centre is free and from there it is an easy walk into the town centre.

What to see in Lüneburg

Inner Altstadt

AmSande - Am Sande with St. John's Church Lueneburg KranKaufhaus - The Old Harbour with its crane and warehouse

Most of the inner Altstadt is a pedestrian area and is home to many of Lüneburg's historic sights. The main attractions here are:

Am Sande Am Sande is Lüneburg's most beautiful square and where merchants used to lay out their wares in medieval times. It is framed by a host of high ornate brick houses, a testimony to Lüneburg's wealth and status in centuries gone by and almost perfectly preserved. The oldest stepped gable on House 53 dates to around 1400. The voluted gables were generally erected in the late 16th to 17th centuries. One particular jewel is the Schütting or the "Black House" on the western side of the square with its glazed black bricks. Originally a brewery, it is now the Chamber of Industry and Commerce

East Prussian State Museum - Ostpreußisches Landesmuseum

Town Hall The construction of the Rathaus or town hall, began in 1230 and grew until 1720 when its baroque façade was constructed. The hall's Clarion contains 41 bells made of Meissner porcelain and rings several times daily. The Lüneburg Rathaus is said to be one of the most beautiful in Germany, only rivaled by Lübeck's city hall. Daily tours.

St. John's Church - Sankt Johanniskirche - The construction of St. John's Church started in 1289. Now a Lutheran church, it used to be Roman Catholic until the Reformation in the 16th century. While its spectacular interior justifies the visit and the church also possesses many treasures and works of art from the past, for instance a Gold tabernacle from the 14th century and many precious paintings. Many concerts are offered year-wide including several short organ concerts 2 evenings a week. If you look at the tower, you will notice that it is not straight. Over time the tower has shifted 200 cm to the west!

Fish Market - Am Stintmarkt - The fish market or Am Stint is known as the longest pub mile in Lüneburg. In the summer and the many pubs and restaurants of this area transform into large terraces and soft-drinks gardens. The fish market is also where visitors can board boats to ride on the Ilmenau river.

Market Plaza - Marktplatz - Markets are held here every week of the year, including the christmas markets during Advent. In the middle of the marketplace you can see the Luna Fountain (Lunasaeule) with its figure of Diana (the goddess of hunting), a work by the sculptor, E. Bruggemann. Its name comes from the its moon ornament.

Old Crane - Alter Kran - The Old Crane is on Am Stintmarkt by the quayside in Lüneburg's old river port. The original crane was erected in the Middle Ages, although the current design dates to the 18th century. Its last duty was purportedly offloading the first steam engine for the Hanover and Brunswick railway.

Lüne Mill - Lüner Mühle - The Lüne Mill is an impressive, half-timbered, richly decorated old mill that dates to the late 16th century, but has been extensively restored.

Bell House - Glockenhaus - The Bell House and its courtyard, Bell Court (Glockenhof) make for an attractive little sideshow off Lüneburg's main square. The building was a bell foundry dating to 1482, but was also used in emergencies to cast cannon for the defence of the town.

Hospital Zum Roten Hahn - The Hospital Zum Roten Hahn is a picturesque building just north of the main pedestrian area that has three attractive, half-timbered gables and a charming inner courtyard surrounding by the poorhouses from the 16th and 17th centuries. The view of St. Nicholas Church from the courtyard is a classic photo shot.

Outer Altstadt

The outer Altstadt, outside the main pedestrian precinct, also has many treasures. Chief among these are:

German Salt Museum - Deutsches Salzmuseum - The German Salt Museum is a journey through the history of salt mining and trading within the walls of the former saltworks that only closed in 1980, bringing to an end the town's centuries-old association with the industry that made its name. As well as displays and artefacts there is the opportunity for visitors to make their own salt in small pans, reminiscent of the way it was once done.

St. Michael's Church - Michaeliskirche - St. Michael's Church in the Altstadt once hosted a choir for boys with outstanding treble voices who came from poor families. Its most famous student was Johann Sebastian Bach who attended St. Michael's School from 1700 to 1703 and sang soprano in the church's choir. When his voice broke around 1703, he switched to playing the harpsichord to accompany the choir. The church is worth visiting for its interesting architecture. Although some of the foundations came from an earlier abbey and date to 956, work on the rest of the foundations for the current church began in 1376 and was finished in 1379. The building itself was completed in 1412, while the tower followed in 1434 and has one of the oldest bells in Europe. Since the church was built on salt mines, over time, and due to over mining and the ground under the church dropped by 70 cm, which also tilted the structure of the church in a very interesting and strange way. Although strong steel braces now support the building, one cannot help but notice that most of its main supports and Gothic columns are very crooked. Even the orchestra section is crooked.

Senkungsgebiet - The Senkungsgebiet is the area of Lüneburg that has suffered from subsidence as a result of mining. The salt was found below this part of the town. As it was fetched by floating the salt gallery (that was not supported sufficiently afterwards) the town sank over the years. Now it is about 5 m lower than it was in the beginning of the salt mining. If you stand on the Marienplatz and look into the direction of the Michaelis Church, you get a good impression of this. Being the oldest part of the medieval town and there are a lot of small, beautiful houses, many of them having been carefully restored.

Kalkberg - The Kalkberg is a limestone hill and one of the town's landmark. The limestone won from this hill was used for building houses. In Katzenstraße and there is a house with a huge buckle in the wall. This was caused by the limestone in the mortar that absorbed water from the air and hence lost its stability. Other houses collapsed due to this loss of stability, but this one remained. The hill itself is an easy climb and offers good views over the town.

St. Nicolai A church built in the 15th century

Water Tower A beautiful brick gothic water tower serving as a lookout point these days. There's an elevator, but it makes sense to go down by stairs and see the internals of the water tower accompanied by different facts about water consumption.

In the suburbs

Lüne Abbey - Kloster Lüne - Lüne Abbey is about 2 kilometers from the town centre. There has been an abbey on the site since the 1100s, but the present day Lüne Abbey – now a convent – was founded in 1372.

What to do in Lüneburg

Salü Spa - The Salü Spa is a thermal bath complex comprising indoor and outdoor pools, private secluded saunas, private massage and gym facilities, a restaurant. It's a nice place to relax after a long day especially in winter. The complex features a large wave pool, several whirlpools, a children's swimmingpool with huge slide, a heated indoor/outdoor swimmingpool open all-year round and a salt floating pool. All the pools are saline. The sauna complex features a steam bath, an outdoor sauna with fireplace, a Finnish sauna, a eucalyptus sauna, a light sauna, in addition to a rose aromatherapy room. But remember, it's Northern Europe so everyone is naked (don't worry, not in the swimmingpool area...) and the facilities are mixed. Upon reservation and the place offers massages of all types, private floating baths, a relaxarium, and other cosmetic services.

Spa Park - Kurpark - Every town has its green area where people flock on sunny days for sports and barbecues. The Kurpark is Lüneburg's urban oasis, with large green areas for sunbathing, a large fountain, ponds, and walking trails.

Local events in Lüneburg

Lüneburg In Bloom (Lüneburg blüht auf) and the spring market take place in April on the Sülzwiesen.
Town Festival (Stadtfest) – the town festival is in June.
Lunatic Festival – a charitable music festival on the university campus also in June.
Frommestraßenfest – festival in July.
Oktoberfest – on the Sülzwiesen in September.
Master Salter Days (Sülfmeistertage) at the beginning of October.
Historic Christmas Market around St. Michael's Church and Christmas Market with fairytale mile and gable lights on the market place in front of the town hall, in Grapengießerstraße and Am Sande square.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Lüneburg

Market - Markt - The market is held in front of the town hall every Wednesday and Saturday from 07:00 to 13:00, all year round. Each year the Christmas Market also sets up on this location, beginning in the first week of Advent.

Salt Bags - These small bags are filled with Lüneburg salt. Some have printed on them the verse "Brot und Salz, Gott erhalt's" ("Bread and salt, may God preserve it"). In Germany, it is a tradition to present bread and salt to people when they move into a new home. As bread and salt were considered to be the most precious things for a family's living and the wish is that they should never be without it.

Feinzeug - An unusual shop, Feinzeug is next to the town hall. Here, Margarete von Alemann makes original ceramic artefacts and everday items. Angela Kotzurek designs and sells "his and her" fashion items made of fine fabrics.

Ratzsch Coffee Roastery - Kaffeerösterei Ratzsch - Ratzsch sells Coffee beans from all over the world including such exotic places as "down under", Hawaii and the Galapagos Islands. If you're not sure, you can even taste them first... for a fee of course!

Halal Food & Restaurants

India House - Indiahaus - The Indian restaurant in Lüneburg's historic Altstadt. Small restaurant with friendly atmosphere. Excellent food and quick service.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Lüneburg

Lüneburg - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Lüneburg, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Lüneburg. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Lüneburg and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Lüneburg. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Lüneburg. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inLüneburg: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Lüneburg.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Lüneburg: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Lüneburg, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Lüneburg.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Lüneburg, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Lüneburg, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Lüneburg and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Lüneburg, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Lüneburg, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Lüneburg without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Lüneburg is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Lüneburg.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Lüneburg is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Lüneburg, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Lüneburg Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Comfort Hotel - ☎ +49 4134 907797 +49 4134 907789

Hotel Heidpark - 500 m from the Altstadt the hotel has traditional style with modern facilities including a free WAN and parking. Its restaurant and the Bierstein, serves catfish and Argentinian Steaks.

Salzquartier | Hostel next to the train station. Prices for dormitory beds from €20/person/night (+ €4 for bedding/sheets).

Kutscherstube - Hotel Garni - Small hotel near the town square in Lüneburg with 9 rooms on 3 floors, some with air conditioning.

Bremer Hof - Traditional hotel in a restored merchant's house near St. Nicholas' Church and a modern building.

Das Stadthaus - Small hotel opposite St. John's Church. Central situation, but quiet.

Kunsthotel Residenz - Three-star hotel in the historic town centre. Own ClamArt restaurant specialising in Alsace cuisine.

Park-Hotel Lüneburg, garni - Small hotel by the Kurpark with cafe and terrace.

Hotel Bargenturm - A small, modern, 4-star hotel near the pedestrian precinct. Friendly restaurant.

Hotel Bergström - Four-star hotel in the historic port neighborhood in the heart of the town. Swimming pool, private secluded sauna, solarium and fitness centre in the 800-year-old abbey mill. Three suites in the 500-year-old water tower on an island in the Ilmenau.

Castanea Resort - Modern 5-star hotel about 5 kilometers North of the town at Adendorf with a 27 hole golf course.

Seminaris Hotel Lüneburg - €128.50 - €155.50 for a double room

Telecommunications in Lüneburg

Dial code

The national dial code for Lüneburg is 04131.

Study in Lüneburg

Leuphana University of Lüneburg | GPS 53.2289, 10.4011

Cope

Health

Lüneburg Hospital - Klinikum Lüneburg - Lüneburg's main hospital offers a modern and comprehensive range of health care services and information available around the clock. It also has intensive care and special treatment facilities. It is a teaching hospital that is part of the Georg August University at Göttingen. Do ensure you have your health insurance and, if an EU citizen, your EHIC health card or equivalent. The accident emergency number is 112.

Stay safe

Police. The central contact number for the police is 04131 290 and they are located at Auf der Hude 1 near the River Ilmenau, north of the Altstadt in Lüneburg. The emergency number is 112.

News & References Lüneburg

Travel Next

Amelinghausen, 25 km southwest, is a great base for adventuring the Lüneburg Heath on foot or by bicycle. There is a leisure park around the lake of Lopausee for campers, caravanners or day trippers who want to chill out on the beach or hire boats on the lake.
Bardowick is a heath village just north of the town and home to the only cathedral on the Heath.
Bispingen is also a hub for Heath explorers and has the added attraction of the nearby Ralf Schumacher Go Kart track.
Celle, just over 1 hour south, is a charming timber-framed town with an impressive castle and British royal connexions.
Lübeck, around an hour to the north on the Baltic Coast has a medieval Altstadt and boat rides to Travemünde and elsewhere.
Hamburg, 30–40 minutes away is Germany's second city and biggest port. Apart from the River Elbe, it has an extensive network of waterways and more bridges than Venice!
Walsrode, some 50 minutes away, is famed for its amazing Bird Park (Vogelpark). Don't miss the incredible and amusing flight displays