Germany's most beautiful Hanseatic cities

Rich traders from Bremen shipped their goods via the River Weser into the North Sea and from there sent them around the world. The market square particularly reflects the self-confidence of the medieval citizens of Bremen. The ornate town hall (left building in photo) and the Roland Statue have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004.

From the 13th to the 15th century the Hanseatic League dominated trade along the coast of Northern Europe. Hamburg joined the trade alliance in 1321. The port existed even back then. These days Hamburg Port is hugely popular with tourists. A million visitors come to celebrate the port's anniversary at the beginning of May alone.

Lübeck was the richest town in the Hanseatic city alliance. Known as the "Queen of the Hanseatic League," it governed the league for many years. The old town center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. Some 200 cities along the North and Baltic Sea coasts and inland formed the Hanseatic League. The European Hansemuseum in Lübeck records the rise and fall of this trade association.

At the time of the Hanseatic League, Rostock was one of the most important goods handling centers on the Baltic Sea, earning it the name of "Gateway to Scandinavia." Every summer the city hosts a large maritime festival known as the Hanse Sail. About 250 traditional sailing ships of all shapes and sizes enter the city port of Rostock, where visitors can board and view them.

Stralsund on the Baltic Sea shows what Hanseatic cities looked at the height of the League in the 14th century. The basic design of the medieval town center has remained largely unchanged. The modern Oceanographic museum, "Ozeaneum" (above white), was constructed between the old harbor warehouses. Here visitors can dive into the underwater worlds of the North Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Polar Sea.

Wismar's calling card is its red brick architecture, a style of building that can only be found in northern Germany. Great non-religious buildings, such as storehouses, but also mighty churches were built in the characteristic style of Brick Gothic. The old town center of Wismar was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.

The Hanseatic town of Lüneburg on the river Ilmenau was the biggest supplier of salt in northern Germany during the Middle Ages. The salt was mined in Lüneburg and then shipped downriver; the Ilmenau flows into the Elbe, which after a further 100 kilometers enters the North Sea. The German Salt Museum in Lüneburg shows the history of salt extraction and how it influenced the city.

Korbach, in the center of present-day Germany, is not located on the seacoast or on a river. Nevertheless the town joined the Hanseatic League in 15th century, thanks to its geographically and economically significant location at the crossroads of several important trade routes. Today there are 25 cities in Germany that carry the label "Hanseatic."