Hanseatic city of Salzwedel

Salzwedel, again with the title “Hanseatic City” from April 1, 2008, hardly leaves a visitor without the lasting
impression of a city that presents its history in a lively, “tangible” way. Above all, it is the urban development
charm of a medieval half-timbered architecture, which has been preserved in the old town as a largely closed
ensemble, and which makes “looking” so enjoyable for the viewer.

Here, where the “German Half-timbered Road” and the “Romanesque Road” meet, Salzwedel's membership in the
Hanseatic League (1263-1518) also left impressive evidence of early bourgeois self-confidence in the cityscape.
The sacral monumental buildings of St. Marien, St. Katharinen and St. Lorenz, the remaining, unmissable gates
and ramparts as well as richly furnished town houses mark the eventful phases of development of the old
Hanseatic city. Its first documented mention as “civitas” dates back to 1233. The name (“soltwidele”) is considered
a clear reference to trade and commerce - the place where, among other things, “salt” was transported via a “ford”
through the Jeetze lowland area. was transported along the important Lüneburg-Magdeburg salt road.
The close ties to Lübeck soon led to its admission to the Hanseatic League. The cloth makers and garment tailors
demonstrate to others the wealth of the Salzwedel merchants. In 1909 the last barge from the Jeetzeufer left the
harbor.