It was raining when we left and stayed with us all the way to Luneburg after four hours driving couldn't leave it behind.
Checked into the Amethyst Hotel, Luneburg about 1.00pm. We were lucky that they let us check in early as we only have this afternoon to do Luneburg town. One night here.
Very nice hotel just out in the outskirts of town in a country setting. Very private and quiet. Very comfortable rooms.
Had a coffee while waiting to see if the rain was going to ease a little before we headed into town.
Still raining a little but we took off knowing that we were going to get wet.
Luneburg is a historic town on the river Ilmenau. 50km south east of Hamburg.
Luneburg was built on a salt dome which made the town wealthy in the middle ages until 1600 when it started to decline. Tradition has it that the salt was first discovered by a hunter who shot and killed a wild boar bathing in a pool of water. When he hung its skin up to dry, he discovered it was full of white crystals-salt.
Started walking around town to see the sights and sure enough the rain came down in buckets full. Kept walking and then just had to shelter for awhile before we continued on our way. Very wet for photos but still had to take them trying all the time to keep the rain off the camera.
When we finished our walk went into a pub for a beer and an early meal before returning to the hotel. As we came out of the pub the sun started to shine but too late for my photos.
Arrived back to the hotel still sunny, took a couple of photos of the lovely garden and in about half an hour the heavens opened again with very heavy rain.
Hotel room, very nice.
Looking out to the garden from the balcony
Looking along balcony. Our room on the left.
Taken down in the back garden where we look out over from balcony. Our room second from the left with the white railings. Note the thatched roof.
Now in the town of Luneburg. Stopped raining for a little bit.
The oldest part of theTown Hall was built around 1230. During the following 600 years the building was gradually enlarged.
St Nikolat was built near the port during the 15th Century. This Church served as a religious centre for the river sailors, which is near the river. Stunning.
Underneath in the basement of the church.
Standing on the side of the river looking up at these great old buildings. PT is standing under one of those umbrellas. Soaked, sheltering from the rain.
Really raining now. Skinny building centre right is on a bit of a lean. (note the floor line) .Bad pictures with this heavy rain.
The warehouse and the old crane. Thanks to salt, the valuable herring of the Baltic Sea was an important trading commodity, hence the original name "Herring House". The wooden, copper-roofed Old Crane was first mentioned in official documents in 1346 and is today the landmark of Luneburg.
The oldest recorded house in Luneburg, built in 1446.
St.Johannis called the Baptism Church in 1297,St Johannis is one of the oldest churches in Lower Saxony. The steeple is on quite a lean.
Inside the church. We sat for awhile and listen to an orchestra practising for a festival tomorrow night. Sounded beautiful.
Th other end of the square is the Chamber of Commerce one of the most impressive buildings of the square. The building was built in 1548 as a brewery. The square "AmSande" was the market place for Luneburg. The rich merchants of Luneburg built their homes around the square giving it its present appearance with the distinctive gables.
Close up of he Chamber of Commerce building at end of square.
Looking back the other end of the square towards the church. Note the distinctive gables on the buildings to the right.
It got down to 15degrees, probably not much different from home. We hope the sun returns for our last three days. Getting close to home now.
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