Dream Routes - The cities of the Hanseatic League
Cities of the Hanseatic League
Witnesses of the first globalization
In
the Middle Ages, there was a real boom in the foundation of cities. The
cities of that time with its fortified walls, gates and towers shape
our perception of a typical medieval city to this day. In order
to accomplish more autonomy in regard to the emperor and the empire,
some cities in the North of Germany merged in the middle of the 13th
century. So called "city alliances" were created and the Hanse (Hanseatic League) was to become the most powerful of all of them. The alliance of
merchants in around 200 cities dominated the trade along the coast of
Northern Europe. Luxury goods, food and commodities such as furs, wax,
grain, fish and timber were exported into the world by the
Hanse-merchants. Above all, they brought back cloth, metal goods,
weapons and spices.The Hanseatic League used to be an important driving force behind progress
The
Hanseatic League made the economy boost and brought a prosperity that
was never experienced before. In parallel to the developments of the
commercial markets, the financial markets and the first "globalization"
began, too. Significant innovations such as division of work,
bookkeeping, cashless payment transactions and the postal system date
back to the time of the Hanse. In its zenith, the Hanseatic League was
so powerful that it imposed blockades against kingdoms and
principalities and even waged wars in order to achieve its economical
interests. The gorgeous town houses and representative buildings in the
three Hanse cities of the Historic Highlights of Germany show quiet
impressively the wealth of the merchants. Furthermore, colouful festivities such as the Tag der internationalen Hanse (Day of the International Hanse) in Münster remember the zenith of the league. On this day, the Principal Market is turned into a festively decorated table where Westphalian canapés, cold beer and wine are served in a unique setting. Münster's historic gabled houses and its arcades are dedicated to the trade - just like centuries ago. Here, you can have a relaxing stroll through the medieval atmosphere, have a look around and buy the one or the other souvenir.
In
the historic center of Osnabrück, there still exist seven stone houses
from the 12th to the 14th century. They have been fully preserved from
basement to gable and are thus unique in Germany. The secret: the so
called "Steinwerke" (stoneworks), including their vaulted roofs, consist of laid
stones. In contrast to half timbered houses, they could resist the
flames of the regular fires and were perfect storehouses for the
merchants of the city.High up in the north awaits you the Hanseatic City of Rostock, the "Gateway to Scandinavia". It is here where the Baltic Sea sweeps on the coast and the air smells like salt. What is today a popular destination for international guests of modern cruise ships, used to be the place where the goods of the Hanseatic Cities were shipped into the world. Great profane buildings such as the impressive storehouse and mighty churches evoke the wealth of the Hanse-merchants. Most of the time they are built in the style of the so called "Backsteingotik" (Brick Gothic) with the typical red bricks - a style of architecture that is characteristic for the whole region.
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