Intrigued by a slight lean? That’s just one of the many quirks of the Holsten Gate.
Welcome to one of Lubeck’s most iconic landmarks. The Holsten Gate stands before you. It is a symbol of the city’s rich history. It is a testament to its medieval fortifications. Built in 1464, this brick Gothic construction once marked the western boundary of Lubeck’s old center. Today, the Holsten Gate is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a reminder of Lubeck’s Hanseatic past.
Look closely at the Holsten Gate. Notice the two round towers. They flank a central building. This creates an imposing structure. From the city side, the Holsten Gate appears as one unified construction. But from the field side, each component is clearly defined. The towers extend 3.5 meters beyond the central block. This adds to the gate’s formidable presence.
Consider the inscriptions. On the city side, you’ll see “SPQL” framed by the years 1477 and 1871. This inscription is modeled after the Roman “SPQR.” It stands for Senatus populusque Lubecensis meaning the Senate and People of Lubeck. The inscription was added in 1871. Previously, there was no inscription here. High walls obscured the view of the Holsten Gate’s lower parts.
Now, shift your gaze to the field side. Here, the inscription reads “concordia domi foris pax”. This translates to harmony within, peace outside. This inscription is also from 1871. It is a shortened form of the text from the foregate. The full text was Concordia domi et pax foris sane res est omnium pulcherrima. It means Harmony within and peace outside are indeed the greatest good of all.
Imagine the Holsten Gate in times of conflict. Notice the differences between the field and city sides. The field side has few small windows. The walls are 3.5 meters thick. This was built for combat. The city side is more decorative. The walls are less than 1 meter thick. The design allowed for the gate’s quick destruction from the city side. This prevented enemies from using it as a bulwark.
The Holsten Gate has loopholes and gun chambers on the field side. Each tower had three gun chambers. These were on the ground, first, and second floors. The ground floor chambers are now below ground level. The chambers on the first upper story had slits for small guns. The central block had no loopholes. Windows above the passage were for dousing invaders. They used pitch or boiling water.
Don’t miss the terracotta stripes. These encircle the Holsten Gate. The tiles feature heraldic lilies, symmetrical lattices, and thistle leaves. Every eight tiles is followed by a tile with a heraldic shield. The shield bears the Lubeck heraldic eagle or a stylized tree. These terracotta stripes were repaired in the 19th century. Only three original tiles remain in museums.
The Holsten Gate’s history is complex. It is actually the story of four consecutive gates. The Inner Holsten Gate guarded the banks of the Trave River. The Middle Holsten Gate is the one we see today. The Outer Holsten Gate was also known as the Renaissance Gate. The Second Outer Holsten Gate was built in 1621.
Consider how close the Holsten Gate came to demolition. In 1855, Lubeck citizens wanted to tear it down. It hindered railway expansion. But Ferdinand von Quast saved it. In 1863, Lubeck citizens voted to restore the Holsten Gate.
Today, the Holsten Gate stands as a symbol. It represents Lubeck’s proud past. It even appeared on German currency. The Holsten Gate appeared on the 50 DM bank notes. It also appeared on the German two-euro coin.
As you stand here, remember the Holsten Gate’s journey. It has been a defensive structure. It has been a museum. It has been a symbol of Lubeck. The Holsten Gate continues to inspire awe and admiration.