Lüneburg
city, Lower Saxony Land (state), north-central Germany, on the Ilmenau River at the northeastern edge of the Lüneburger Heide (heath). Known as Luniburc in AD 956, it expanded in the 12th century under Henry the Lion, duke of Saxony. Chartered in 1247, it was the residence of the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg until 1371. A powerful member of the Hanseatic League, it was incorporated into Hanover in 1705 and became part of Prussia in 1866. Virtually undamaged in World War II, Lüneburg has some fine examples of brick buildings in northern German Gothic style. Notable landmarks include the town hall (13th–18th century), with its council chamber and royal hall; St. John's and St. Nicholas' churches, from the 13th and 14th centuries; the Sand, an impressive square of Gothic and Renaissance houses; and the ducal palace (1693–96), overlooking the marketplace. Stimulated industrially after 1900, its manufactures include chemicals and wood products. There is trade in foodstuffs, metal and coal, and salt (worked since the 10th century), and it is a tourist and health resort with saline springs and mud baths. Pop. (1989 est.) 60,053.
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Sources
- Encylopedia Britannica 2002, Expanded Edition DVD
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