Lauenburg, officially Lauenburg an der Elbe, is a historic town in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, renowned for its beautifully preserved old town and its deep connection to the Elbe River.
History of Lauenburg
Lauenburg’s history is closely tied to its strategic location on the Elbe. The town was founded around 1182 by Bernard of Ascania, who erected the Lowenborch castle, from which the town takes its name. This established Lauenburg as the original capital of the Duchy of Saxe-Lauenburg, which existed as an independent territory from 1296 until its integration into Prussia in 1876. Lauenburg served as the ducal capital until the castle burned down in 1616. In medieval times, Lauenburg was a critical waypoint on the Old Salt Route, which transported salt from Lüneburg to the Baltic Sea port of Lübeck. The town’s prosperity was further secured by the Stecknitz-Delvenau-Canal, a major piece of medieval engineering, featuring the historic Palmscheuse, one of the oldest chamber locks in Europe. Following the Napoleonic Wars, the duchy was subject to various territorial changes before finally being incorporated into Prussia. After World War II, Lauenburg served as a border crossing between West Germany and East Germany until 1982. The old town of Lauenburg, nestled at the bottom of 50-meter-high bluffs, is celebrated as the largest heritage-protected ensemble of its kind in Schleswig-Holstein. The town is clearly divided into the lower town, along the riverbank, and the upper town on the bluffs, connected by narrow streets and steps. The lower town is famous for its picturesque, colorful timber-framed houses dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries, which line the Elbstraße. These buildings originally belonged largely to sailors and merchants, reflecting the town’s maritime past. Located in the upper town, the former ducal residence, Lauenburg Castle, is mostly destroyed today, with only the old castle tower remaining. This site now houses the city and municipal administration. The river’s influence is captured in the Elbe Navigation Museum, which details the history of Elbe navigation, shipbuilding, and the lives of those who worked on the water. The town’s old architecture has remained wonderfully intact, offering visitors a genuine journey back in time.
Nearby Attractions
During our visit, we stayed with our motorhome at the Salzhausen municipal motorhome parking, which was convenient for exploring the region. Near, there is also a very nice cheese farm. For nature lovers, the Wildpark Lüneburger Heide (Lüneburg Heath Wildlife Park) is also there.