What if science could meet art in the open air? That is exactly what happened here at the Pixelwand. This interactive exhibit is part of Lubeck’s outdoor science displays. It adds a touch of wonder to our everyday surroundings.
The Pixelwand in St. Lorenz-Sud opened on February 4th. However, the weather was not very cooperative that day. With temperatures at minus 15 degrees Celsius, completing the base had to wait. But Lubeck’s citizens did not let the cold stop them. They showed their love for this new interactive exhibit right away.
But what exactly is the Pixelwand? It is an outdoor science exhibit. The Pixelwand lets you express your creativity. It encourages interaction and exploration of scientific concepts. This Pixelwand is not alone. It is part of a broader initiative. Each exhibit in the city center has a counterpart in one of the city’s ten districts. St. Lorenz-Sud has the honor of hosting the first one.
Lubeck is a city steeped in history. It is also known as Hansestadt Lubeck or Hanseatic City of Lubeck. It was a major commercial center in northern Europe during the Middle Ages. Lubeck was the chief city of the Hanseatic League. This was an association of towns protecting trading interests.
The city’s history stretches back to an earlier settlement called Liubice. It was the seat of a Slavic principality with a castle and harbor. Count Adolf II of Holstein founded the German city in 1143. Henry III, duke of Saxony, rebuilt it in 1159 after a fire. Lubeck became a vital trading point. It connected the raw-material-producing countries of northern and eastern Europe with manufacturing centers in the west.
For a short time, Denmark controlled Lubeck. But in 1226, Frederick II made it a free imperial city. Lubeck developed self-government with its own laws. These laws influenced over 100 cities in the Baltic area. Lubeck’s example shaped their economies and appearances.
In 1358, Lubeck became the administrative headquarters of the Hanseatic League. This happened shortly after the Black Death devastated the city’s population. The opening of the Stecknitz Canal in 1398 aided salt shipping. By the 15th century, Lubeck was the second largest city in northern Germany.
The Protestant Reformation brought sweeping changes. Jurgen Wullenwever became burgomaster. He led an unsuccessful war against Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands. This caused economic decline. Lubeck remained a vital harbor on the Baltic Sea even as the Hanseatic League dissolved.
During the French revolutionary wars, Lubeck’s trade suffered. French rule lasted from 1811 to 1813. Afterward, Lubeck joined the German Confederation. The city’s economy recovered with the Elbe-Lubeck Canal’s construction in 1900.
In 1937, the Nazi regime ended Lubeck’s self-governing status. It became part of Schleswig-Holstein. World War II damaged the historic inner city in 1942. Postwar reconstruction restored the area. Lubeck is now Germany’s largest Baltic harbor.
Remember the Pixelwand as a symbol of Lubeck’s blend of history and innovation. It shows how a city can embrace both its past and its future. It is a place where science and art meet.