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Town gate
with
history

Holsten Gate Lübeck — welcome home

Wilkommen Zuhause!

The Holsten Gate is Lübeck’s famous landmark and one of the most popular motifs for photos in the whole of Northern Europe. It decorates countless postcards, marzipan cakes, stamps and 2-Euro coins with its thick red-brick walls and massive twin towers. This impressive Gothic city gate was once a symbol of power and formed an important part of the town’s fortifications designed to protect this rich Hanseatic city from enemy attacks. The green spaces in front of the gate represent a wonderful place to relax in summer, offering the peace and quiet you need to plan your visit to Lübeck. You are sure to persuade the two iron, life-sized lions guarding the steps to the Holsten Gate with typically Lübeck serenity to join you in a casual selfie.

Home is not a place, it's an emotion.
Experience of life

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That’s what it says in golden letters above the outer arch of the Holsten Gate. Translated from Latin, it means: Harmony within, peace outside. This is testimony to the great need for harmony felt by the city fathers as they always had to protect their rich Hanseatic city against hostile attacks. In doing so, they relied more on their negotiating skills than on military conflict. The 30 cannons which once lined the loopholes in the Holsten Gate but which tradition has it were never fired, can also testify to this. And to this day, this golden inscription speaks to the Lübeck way of life: joyful, lively and serene – and we’re glad you’re here, too!

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Pretty in Pink

The American artist Andy Warhol brought pop art to Lübeck in 1980 with his “Holsten Gate” in fluorescent pink. The painting was commissioned from the famous artist on the occasion of a Warhol exhibition in the then furniture store Reese, and the man himself travelled from New York for the vernissage. There was a choice of four colour variations for the Holsten Gate and Heiner Reese who had commissioned the painting decided on the version in pink. Today you can admire the famous work of art in Lübeck’s St. Anne's Art Gallery!

Contact
Holstentor
Holstentorplatz
23552 Lübeck
Opening hours
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