Hey, it’s Tati again,
This time I'm venturing into the beautiful grey winter of Germany in order to spot some colorful artworks here and there: Street Art in Lübeck.
Before we get to explore the art world, we dive a little bit into the history of the city. Let's go!
The free Hanseatic City of Lübeck holds a rich historical heritage. It is one of the oldest cities in northern Germany showing many remnants of medieval times and the glorious Hanseatic League times, which it championed for 500 years. It was officially founded in 1143 by Adolf von Schauenburg.
The Hanseatic League or Hansa was a prominent treaty agreement between merchants mostly from northern Germany. It lasted from the 12th to the 17th Century. During its peak times it encompassed 300 cities as members and led to a lot of accumulated wealth for the Hanseatic City of Lübeck. It was one - if not the (the Hanseatic City of Hamburg would object to this one ;-)) - most important city within the Hansa Community.
Especially, the big gate at the city entrance - the Holstentor - is a famous witness from back in the day.
The landmark of Lübeck: Holstentor and a selfie - freshly styled by northern German wind and winter time. ;-)
The entire city of Lübeck was declared UNESCO World Heritage Sight in 1987.
Now circling back to my favorite topic: Street Art in Lübeck.
There are some art works scattered around the city - but I have to warn you, don’t expect an abundance like at Hamburg’s Sternschanze + Karoviertel or around Munich.
It is a bit more of a scavenger hunt, where you can combine spotting a few street art pieces combined with checking out the most cozy coffee places while absorbing the atmosphere of the old, culturally rich city.
Street Art in Lübeck: Dial Phone
Dial Phone by Torsten Bahr of Bilderbar next to a pay phone to be found here. I like that it is synched so well with the “real deal” in the street and find it quite funny that it is set up directly to a real payphone.
Street Art Graffiti in Lübeck by Juan Aguiló to be found here. Two children - one immersed in play turning its back towards the audience where the other - a little girl - is facing us directly with a rather stern facial expressen. It makes one wonder: What is she thinking about? Is she worrying about something in particular?
More and more Street Art in Lübeck
The open air Gallery of Street Art in Lübeck is growing and I predict a bright future: Since 2023 there is an annual Urban Art Festival in Lübeck, where some art works have been created. On the website you find the locations of the works by Face & Taker (aka. SprayArtLübeck), Force, Fabina Malchow (all of them Lübeck based) as well as Tape That, Bona_Berlin and Rookie, Plusminus3, AFC (All Female Crew), Bond Truluv, Julia Benz, Mick La Rock, Sainer, Satr, Stohead, EAS, Force & Friends, Team Hip Hop (Lübeck based) and Sal, Krome & Pecks (Lübeck based as well).
There are two art pieces that are located near the city center within the realm of the old town.
Street Art in Lübeck: Plusminus3 making an undergrade crossing shine
A large graphic graffito on both sides of an undergrade crossing created during the Lübeck Urban Art Festival. I really liked the strong, flashy color combination and sharp lines of Plusminus3. Bonus on adding my favorite color turquoise to the mix. ;-)
Pergamentmachergang / Corner Schildstraße, Lübeck
Lübeck Street Art, but make it female
AFC (All Female Crew)
Just like the name hints toward - the AFC is an all female crew. The women from Hamburg Altona combine Hip Hop and Graffiti Lifestyle. Their tags are to be found on the left hand side of the mural that was created during the first Lübeck Urban Art Festival (LUAF) in 2023.
LUAF 2023
Wallstraße 5, Lübeck (near the boules court)
The other art works created during the Lübeck Street Art Festival are to be found more south, about a 30 minute bus ride away from the city center (e.g. with Bus No. 6 or 16 from the station Holstentor towards Straßburger Straße). The Mural of SATR can be admired near Gotenweg at a residential building. A majestic bird of prey in black and white, contrasted with a flashy red background.
SATR
Wendische Str. 64, Lübeck (facade of residential building)
Julien Casabianca, 2016 at Schildstraße
This mural can actually celebrate its 10th anniversary next year. Bearing that in mind, it is less surprising that the colors are wearing off and the nature got a grasp on it again - the green moss from nearby trees seem to combat with the color for a habitat.
Some witty Street Art in Lübeck:
Sticks covered in knit wear and the sign near by inviting to "Please pet" it.
Kinda cute. :)
Besides Lübeck Street Art: Rich craftsmen and merchant history
The aforementioned Hanseatic League led to a big rise in wealth - craftsmanship flourished and one craft in particular made the city well known and world renowned: The art of confectionery, more precisely, the art of turning almonds into precious delicacies - the Marzipan pralines.
Back in the day, only pharmacists were allowed to sell it for it was first considered a medical remedy. In 1806, with the rise in demand of the sweet almond matter, the confectionaries were also allowed to sell it.
One of those was Niederegger Marzipan.
At the Niederegger Café and Museum you can nowadays have a coffee plus a visit to the small adjacent museum on the company’s history. So, you can have a lovely view from the upper floor of the coffee place and check out the rise of Niederegger Marzipan throughout the centuries. If you are eager to dive into the marzipan game - there is also a large gift and pastry shop offering anything and everything you can imagine made of Marzipan.
The interior of the café makes you believe you are a rich merchant enjoying the spare time and also sends Coffee House vibes reminding of Vienna.
This 3-D Printer will produce a little Marzipan Cathedral within 45 minutes.
Not Lübeck Street Art, but genius architectural art: Lübeck’s Churches
There are six churches within the Old Town of Lübeck:
The Dom of Lübeck, St. Petri (St. Peter ), St. Ägidien (St. Giles), St Marien (St. Mary), St. Katharien (St. Cathrine), and St. Jacobi (St. Jacobs).
Lübeck’s Main Landmarks - the graphic can be found at the Lübeck Marzipan Museum.
Lübeck Street Art Stroll: The best Art and Coffee Shops
Café & Bar
Artsy atmosphere with a clear liking of Frieda Kahlo - in this coffee shop you find all you need - from vegan raw pastries to rock solid espressos. Savory dishes are on the menu as well and you can also work from the place - free wifi is included.
All in all: Perfect pit stop for cozy days.
Strolling the streets, you can not only find Lübeck Street Art, but you also find many galleries and art shops. Here is a selection of a few that I passed by, on my exploration walk. Oh, and a cute flower shop might have slipped into the collection as well. ;-)
Gallery Kontrapost
This gallery exhibits art apart from the mainstream:
The Artists Wolf Dieter Pfennig, Anne von der Heyde, Yorjander Capetillo Hernández and Guillermo Steinbrüggen showcase paintings, graphic art, plastiques, and sculptures.
Art For You - Gallery and Shop
In this art shop and gallery, the artists are able to rent shelves and wall space in order to showcase their works. At the moment the international artists Frances Kraschinski, Francisca Blanco Giambastiani, Dongmei Lisowski, Wiebke Rogall-Machona and Anna-Maria Walz exhibit their paintings as "Stil Mix".
One Fair Trade Alstadtrösterei - One Fair Trade Coffee Roastery of the Old Town
A fair trade coffee place that roasts their own coffee beans. In their adjacent shop you can buy not only coffee but also handcrafts and jewelry.
Kleines Waffelhaus
Kleines Waffelhaus offers the most delicious wafers - from vegan Belgian Wafers to hearty sweet potato ones. Anything wafery, that your heart desires you will find here in a warm child friendly atmosphere.
Thanks a lot for tagging along for the ride, I hope you enjoyed reading about Lübeck as much as I did. I hope you’ll get to see it with the cherry to the pie:
Fingers crossed for sunshine!
Until our next adventure!
Love,
Tati
Author and PR professional Tatjana Büchler (Photo Credits: Sarah Buth)