Here stands the Ehrenmal L\u00fcbecker Turnerschaft. It is a monument steeped in history and remembrance. This Ehrenmal L\u00fcbecker Turnerschaft is a poignant tribute to the members of the L\u00fcbecker Turnerschaft von 1854. These members sacrificed their lives in World War I.
Let me tell you more about the L\u00fcbecker Turnerschaft von 1854. It stands as one of L\u00fcbeck’s oldest and largest sports clubs. It boasts over 2,500 members across 23 divisions. Founded on May 15, 1854, by 14 young merchants, it began as the Turnklub. Initially, they practiced gymnastics in summer at Burgfeld. Today this is the Gustav-Radbruch-Platz. In winter, they used the Katharineum zu L\u00fcbeck’s facilities. These were in the Werkmeister-Haus of the L\u00fcbecker Katharinenkirche. The address was Glockengie\u00dferstra\u00dfe 2.
In 1857, the club adopted its lasting name. It became the L\u00fcbecker Turnerschaft von 1854. By 1866, a rowing section existed. This became independent in 1885. It was then known as the L\u00fcbecker Ruder-Gesellschaft von 1885. A women’s division was added in 1892.
The Turnerschaft used the main gymnasium in M\u00fchlenstra\u00dfe from 1891. From 1904, they also used the Turnerschaftsplatz on Charlottenstra\u00dfe. In April 1902, the Turnerschaftshaus opened. This included a restaurant on An der Mauer street. The Buniamshof stadium was inaugurated on June 14, 1914. This coincided with the club’s 60th anniversary.
The Ehrenmal L\u00fcbecker Turnerschaft itself is located on the Buniamshof sports field. Hans Schwegerle, a former member, designed it in the early 1920s. The monument serves as a solemn reminder. It honors those members who fell during the First World War. It is a place for reflection. It allows us to remember the sacrifices made by these athletes. They traded their sporting pursuits for service. They ultimately gave their lives.
In 1917, the centenary of German gymnastics was celebrated in the main hall. High-ranking military officials and city leaders attended. This shows the importance of physical training at the time. Only male youths practiced physical training. This was mainly done in the military.
During the 1920s, the Turnerschaft focused on classic gymnastics. This led to the separation of sports like tennis and football. In November 1923, members of the sports department left. They founded Sportverein Ph\u00f6nix. This later merged to become L\u00fcbecker Ballspielverein Ph\u00f6nix von 1903.
Under Nazi rule in 1936, the Turnerschaft became part of the “Deutscher Reichsbund f\u00fcr Leibes\u00fcbungen”. After World War II in 1947, the club resumed operations. They included gymnastics, handball, and other sports.
In 1971/72, a new hall was built on Possehlstra\u00dfe. It included club rooms and a restaurant. Further expansion led to the sale of the old Turnerschaftshaus in 1994. In 1995, an extension with a gymnastics hall was added. A sports kindergarten followed in 2011.
Today, the L\u00fcbecker Turnerschaft continues to thrive. It offers a wide range of sports. These include volleyball, gymnastics, and even cricket. The Ehrenmal L\u00fcbecker Turnerschaft remains a central part of the club’s identity. It serves as a perpetual reminder. It ensures the sacrifices of its members are never forgotten.