Uncover a story etched in stone. Right here at Bauhofstein, we stand on a spot layered with history.
The Bauhofstein, a boundary stone. It quietly marks a place once vital to Lübeck’s growth. Let’s journey back. Imagine medieval Lübeck bustling with trade. The Große Bauhof, or Great Building Yard, was just steps away. This wasn’t a yard full of tulips. It was where city timber was processed. Massive logs arrived here. Craftsmen sawed them into usable lumber. This lumber became homes. It became ships. It built Lübeck’s Hanseatic power.
Consider the year 1263. The area around the Bauhofstein was first noted as “Apud sanctum Nicolaum”. This Latin phrase means “Near St. Nicholas”. St. Nicholas refers to the Lübeck Cathedral. Over time, the Bauhofstein area gained other names. “Sub monte prope capellam Sancti Johannis” in 1295 meant “Below the hill near the Chapel of St. John”. This refers to St. Johann auf dem Sande. By 1473, it was called “Tegen der Sagekulen over”. This translates to “Opposite the Sägekuhle”. The Sägekuhle was the pit where timber was sawn.
By 1608, the area was “Up St. Johans Barge” or “On the Mount of St. John”. In 1700, it was simply “Sägekuhle”. By 1787, it had become “Die Sagekuhl”. The name “Großer Bauhof” became official in 1852. This acknowledged the area’s long-standing use as a building yard. The Bauhofstein likely marked boundaries of this important municipal area.
Picture the scene. The air is thick with sawdust. The rhythmic screech of saws fills the air. Craftsmen strain and sweat. They transform raw timber into building material. The Bauhofstein stands firm. It witnesses this transformation. It silently guards the yard’s perimeter.
The Second World War brought devastation. The bombing of March 29, 1942, destroyed much of the Großer Bauhof. Burning debris fell from the Dom. The historic buildings around the Bauhofstein were mostly destroyed. The area changed. Yet, the name Bauhofstein remains. It is a link to Lübeck’s industrious past. The Bauhofstein today is more than just a stone. It is a reminder of Lübeck’s medieval roots. It speaks of craftsmanship and resilience. It connects us to generations who built this remarkable city.