The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Lübeck

LÜBECK, Germany, one of the three free city-states (see Free Cities) and a constituent of the German confederation, situated on a low ridge at the confluence of the Wackenitz with the Trave, 38 miles northeast of Hamburg and 12 miles from the Gulf of Lübeck, on the Baltic. It was anciently surrounded by walls and bastions, which have been leveled and converted into pleasant walks; but it is still entered by four gates and furnishes striking specimens of the architecture of the 15th and 16th centuries. Among the buildings are the cathedral, a structure of red brick, begun in 1173, surmounted by two spires 416 feet high, and containing a finely carved choir-screen; the Marienkirche (Saint Mary's Church), a fine specimen of early Gothic, the Ægidienkirche (Saint Giles' Church) and the Petrikirche (Saint Peter's Church); the town or senate house, an ancient Gothic building; the Hospital of the Holy Ghost (13th century); the Holstein Gate, with its two lofty towers, etc. There is a public library of about 130,000 volumes. Scholastic establishments include technical, architectural and naval schools. The city has fine municipal waterworks, electric lighting and a system of electric street railroads connecting the suburbs. The manufactures are comparatively unimportant, but the trade is extensive, especially with Hamburg, the Baltic ports and the interior of Germany. The Elbe-Trave Canal connects Lübeck and Lauenburg. Lübeck possesses a territory of 116 square miles and includes the port of Travemünde and several isolated portions in Holstein and Lauenburg. It has a senate of 14 members and a council of burgesses of 120 members. It became an imperial free city in 1226, and about 30 years later it became the head of the Hanseatic League. It is represented by one member in the Bundesrat and one in the Reichstag (q.v.). There is a court of first instance and a high court. Pop. of city about 116,599; of city and state about 130,000. The principality of Lübeck belongs to the grand duchy of Oldenburg and lies north of the state (pop. 41,300). Consult King, Wilson, ‘Three Free Cities: Hamburg, Bremen, Lübeck’ (London 1914).