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We are Hüxstrasse!

In Hüxstrasse - in the middle of Lübeck's old town - spread out over 517 meters length and barely 8 meters width, 121 shops, bars, and restaurants make up Lübeck's most diversified shopping and dining street. If you go on a discovery tour here, you'll find something new in each of the old town houses: beautiful and strange things, a feast for the eyes or for the palate, art and kitsch, and sometimes even everything at once. 121 individualists and specialists are looking forward to your visit!

Hüxstrasse - A historical overview



Hüxstrasse was first mentioned in 1259, and originally called "Huestrate" after a mayor. Until the eastern city wall was torn down in the 19th century, Hüxstrasse ended in front of the "Hüxtertor" (torn down 1822), at the street "An der Mauer". In its extension, a state road ran over a dam and across the Wakenitz river, which had been dammed up since 1290. Since 1229, there were water-mills located along the Hüxterdamm, which today is divided by the Elbe-Lübeck-Canal. From 1294 until 1867, the dam housed the waterworks for breweries.

During the 14th century, the inhabitants of the middle and lower stretches of the street were mainly employed in processing and working leather, fur, and cloth. Goldsmiths, with their workshops directly on the market square, reached second place. There were also many brewers, Wakenitz-fishers, and bakers. The upper stretch of the street housed merchants and businessmen, among other professions. Furthermore, a total of about 9 alleys (of which 2 can be traced even today) housed the lower social classes, including carriers, workers, soldiers, and small businessmen.

Around 1790, the "Wismarsche Post" was "expedited" in the street; in 1853 there was a school for poor boys located here, and from 1886 on the Petri-Boys' School found its home at Hüxstrasse.

In 1864, sewer canals were built, and remain in use until today. Nonetheless, there are also still wooden pipes dating back to the 14th century in the ground. Also in the 1860's, cobble stone rows were laid to pave the street, and a narrow asphalt path became the sidewalk. Since then, the street has always been divided into pedestrian and driving surfaces.

The Elbe-Lübeck-Canal was built in 1900, making a bridge necessary on the Hüxterdamm. For this purpose, the course of the Wakenitz river was redirected.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the tramway brought people through Hüxstrasse and into Lübeck's eastern suburbs.

During World War II, many buildings in the lower stretch of the street were destroyed. Rebuilding of this area included the community college in 1965 (architect: E. Blunck).

Since 1977, the upper stretch up to Breite Straße has been a pedestrian zone.

Klaus Brendle | Plan.Büro A&A | Lübeck