GERMANY
The Hanseatic League: An Artistic Legacy July 28 – August 5, 2021 from £2875 per person | with Tom Abbott
This tour will be led by Tom Abbott, BA, MA, an independent art and architectural historian associated with the Foundation of Prussian Palaces and Gardens. Tom has extensive experience leading cultural tours in Europe, to destinations including Germany, Poland, France and Italy. He is particularly fascinated with medieval art and architecture, as well as the Baroque, Rococo and Romantic movements. Please note that the itinerary represents a guide to what we hope to offer, and some elements may be subject to change or confirmation nearer the time.
Bremen Cathedral
• Discover the history of the Hanseatic League from the three major merchant centres of Hamburg, Bremen and Lübeck, and review their artistic heritage • Explore medieval church architecture in an array of locations, including the Church of St Mary in Lübeck, which epitomises the north German Brick Gothic style • Visit fascinating museums and galleries, including Hamburg’s Kunsthalle and the European Hansemuseum in Lübeck The Hanseatic League, which in medieval times dictated trade from the Baltic to the North Sea, left a rich legacy in art, architecture and of course maritime tradition. Dominating the townscapes even today are soaring brick-built Gothic churches, glories of medieval architecture, built at a time when such edifices were unknown in contemporary England. The League started with the collaboration of Hamburg, Lübeck and Lüneburg in the 13th century, before becoming a union of north European trading cities with the most efficient sailing ships of their time. In Hamburg, home to the third busiest port in Europe, we will survey the city’s historical buildings and formulate an understanding of the context of the trading association during our museum visits. A particular highlight of our time here will be a visit to Hamburg’s Kunsthalle, which houses works of art dating from medieval times to the present day. 58
Lüneburg was an important salt-trading town, and boasts one of the most magnificent and best-preserved town halls in Germany. It was through the vast waterways of Europe that the League built up its trade, and on our way north we will pass through the harbour cities of Stade and Bremerhaven. At the important Hanseatic city of Bremen, we will survey the collection of European painting and sculpture on display at the Kunsthalle, and visit the medieval cathedral, before continuing to Lübeck. Once the capital of the League, Lübeck is one of the best preserved of all the Hanseatic towns, with a fine array of Brick Gothic buildings.
FITNESS / PRACTICALITIES: A good level of fitness is required for this tour, as it has a full itinerary involving three separate hotel stays and a journey made by ferry. Participants should expect to spend a moderate amount of time on foot during historical walking tours, and standing in galleries and museums. Day 1 Depart London Heathrow 1040 on British Airways, arriving Hamburg 1320. Transfer to Hotel Baseler Hof, Hamburg, for three nights. Afternoon visits to Museum of Hamburg History and St Michael’s Church. Day 2 Morning lecture followed by visit to Hamburg Kunsthalle. Afternoon: walking tour to include exterior views of Chile House, Kontorhaus, Speicherstadt and Internationales Maritimes Museum. Walk through HafenCity and exterior view of Elbephilharmonie. By ferry to Landungsbrücke and return by coach via Rathaus (exterior). Day 3 Morning excursion to Lauenburg: Palmschleuse. Continue to Lüneburg: St John’s Church, exceptionally preserved Rathaus, Lüne Kloster.
Excursions to the town of Wismar in former East Germany, famed for its 17th century Wasserkunst waterworks, and to Bad Doberan, where we will visit the minster and enjoy a journey on a historical steam train, will complete our tour.
Day 4 Depart for Bremen via Stade (Schwedenspeicher Museum, Church of Saints Cosmas & Damian) and Bremerhaven (German Maritime Museum). Overnight at the Atlantic Grand Hotel, Bremen.
In Hamburg we will stay at the four-star Hotel Baseler Hof in the centre of the city. We will spend a night in Bremen at the four-star Atlantic Grand Hotel, within walking distance of the city’s town hall, followed by four nights in Lübeck at the Atlantic Hotel, located in the old town.
Day 6 Walking tour of Lübeck including Church of St Peter (exterior), 13th century Church of St Mary, Salzspeicher (16th to 18th century salt warehouses – exteriors) and Rathaus. Afternoon: visit to cathedral followed by free time. Evening lecture: The Art & Architecture of the North – Past & Present.
Cost of £2875 includes: return airfare, accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, breakfast, two lunches, dinner with water & coffee, excursions & admissions, gratuities. Not included: travel insurance, double room for single use supplement £415. TOUR CODE: HANS21
Day 5 Bremen: Böttcherstrasse (brick Expressionist buildings – exteriors), Kunsthalle, cathedral. Transfer to Lübeck for four nights at the Atlantic Hotel.
Day 7 Whole day excursion to Wismar with visits to Church of St Nicholas, Wasserkunst and Church of St George. Afternoon: Bad Doberan (visit to minster and walking tour) followed by historical steam train to Heiligendamm on the Baltic Sea. Day 8 Morning visit to Hansemuseum. Afternoon: Museum Behnhaus Drägerhaus and walking tour including Church of St Catherine (exterior), Church of St Jacob, Heiligen-Geist-Hospital and Burgtor (exterior). Day 9 Morning visit to St Annen-Museum. Continue to Hamburg for 1645 departure, arriving Heathrow 1725.
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