Lübeck: the commercial town told with bricks

Useful to know

Lübeck was founded in the 12th century and developed as the leading center of the Hanseatic League. Among its recognizable elements, UNESCO lists brick churches, patrician houses, the Holstentor Gate, and salt warehouses. Despite the military destruction, the main structure of the old town remains an important part of the heritage. [1]

Here the architectural question is how a commercial economy leaves traces in different types of buildings. The warehouse, the city gate and the representative house have different tasks, but participate in a common environment. The material can connect them visually without making them functionally the same.

For your own comparison, consider one example of each type. Note how the facade shows entrance, size of interior spaces and public role. Don't assume that every old brick building is from the same century just because the colors are the same.