Travemunde Germany July 5 2017

For each of the ports we visit there is a port talk by our destination lecturer Sam who is excellent in his presentation and his information.  We are also provided with a brochure for each port giving us background information going back centuries right up to what we need to know today for our visit.  Practical information mixed with all the beautiful things we should not miss so whatever I give is courtesy of Sam and the info sheet provided to us.

We docked this morning in Travemunde our first port.  It is known as the ‘Gateway to the Baltic’.  It lies in the province of Schleswig-Holstein on the estuary of the River Trave.  It was founded in the year 1187, it was bought by the good burghers of Lubeck in the 14^th century, and being in rather a strategic position, it was plundered several times, most of the wooden buildings were destroyed by fire , and it was occupied by Russians in the 18^th century and French in the 19^th.  As early as 1802 the town found its true niche in life when its popularity began to grow as a seaside resort.  The Scandinavian Quay is the largest ferry terminal in Europe visited by Swedes and Finns, Poles and Danes who enjoy all this port has to offer.

Lubeck’s most beautiful daughter is how Travemunde is known.

Today Sam and I took a ship tour to Lubeck.  It is about ten miles south west of Travemunde and founded in the 12^th century.  It quickly rose to a powerful position as head of the Hanseatic League, the cartel which controlled trade around the Baltic in the Middle Ages.  When the League collapsed Lubeck’s transport of salt kept the city going and the wealth is evident in the rich churches and public buildings.  It was very badly bombed in the Second World War.  It was quickly reconstructed and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  We visited St Mary’s Church, the third largest in Germany with the highest brick vault in the world.  This Church dates back to the 13^th century but was almost completely rebuilt after it was severely damaged in the war.  Even today the original bells lie crashed on the floors as they came down in the air raid.  A very beautiful church indeed. All of these churches do hold the stories to all these amazing places. 

We felt very safe and completely at home walking around this very lovely place.  Our coach collected us at our designated point for our journey back to our ship. Again we had another beautiful day.

The usual sail away then dinner and a choice of entertainment.  Sabine and Sam