Founded 1187 · resort since 1802 · Lübeck since 1913
Travemünde was founded in 1187 at the mouth of the Trave and has belonged to Lübeck permanently since 1329. From a fortified border and customs post it grew, from 1802, into the second seaside resort on the German Baltic coast; in 1913 it lost its independence and became a district of Lübeck. This page tells the story in stages – with an interactive timeline from 1187 to today, each fact sourced.
Travemünde arose in 1187 at the strategically decisive mouth of the Trave – whoever controlled the estuary controlled the sea access to the rising trading city of Lübeck. In 1226 Lübeck secured rights to the place in an imperial charter of Frederick II, and the Priwall came to Travemünde. In 1329 Lübeck finally bought Travemünde; ever since, the town has been tied to the Hanseatic city.
As a fortified border and customs post, Travemünde guarded the estuary for centuries and repelled Danish attacks in 1510; in 1539 Dutch masons built the lighthouse that still stands. The fortifications were razed in 1807, and from 1811 to 1813 the town belonged to Napoleon’s French Empire. In parallel its rise as a spa began: as early as 1802 Travemünde had been recognised as the second seaside resort on the German Baltic coast.
With the railway from 1882, the Kaiser’s visit in 1894 and the 1.7-kilometre beach promenade (1898–1904), Travemünde became a fashionable resort. In 1911 the barque Passat was launched. In 1913 Travemünde was incorporated into Lübeck – and in the same period the Kurhaus, casino and Art Nouveau stations were built that still shape the townscape.
In 1933 the future chancellor Willy Brandt fled via Travemünde to Denmark. After 1945 the inner-German border ran right by the Priwall – the northernmost point of the Iron Curtain. Only in 1990 did that border fall, and the Priwall became freely accessible again. Since then Travemünde has kept changing: in 2004 the Old Lighthouse became a museum, in 2007 a cruise terminal was built, in 2012 the casino closed, and in 2020 the new Priwall promenade opened.
The town arises at the strategically vital estuary – the sea gate to the trading city of Lübeck.
Emperor Frederick II confirms Lübeck’s rights to the mouth of the Trave.
Travemünde becomes part of the Lübeck city-state – and remains so to this day.
In the Danish-Lübeck war Travemünde defends the estuary.
31 metres tall, eight storeys – to this day Germany’s oldest surviving lighthouse.
The beginning of the spa era that made today’s resort.
The “Fort Travemünde” is built to enforce the Continental Blockade.
The upper part burns down and is rebuilt in classicist style.
A flood mark on the Old Lighthouse still recalls it.
20 metres wide – the fashionable promenade of the imperial era.
As a cargo sailer she rounded Cape Horn 39 times and circled the globe twice.
Travemünde loses its independence but gains its Art Nouveau resort architecture.
A plaque in Jahrmarktstraße recalls the future chancellor’s escape in April 1933.
The new Maritim high-rise blocks its view of the sea.
114.7 m focal height on the 119 m building – in service since 30 April 1974.
On 3 February 1990 the crossing on the beach opens for pedestrians, from April for vehicles – the Priwall is freely accessible again.
Since 2002 it has shown the history of lighthouse technology.
Travemünde was founded in 1187 – making it over 830 years old. The present Old Lighthouse dates from 1539.
Lübeck secured rights to Travemünde as early as 1226 and finally bought it in 1329. In 1913 Travemünde was incorporated into the Hanseatic city of Lübeck as a district.
Since 1802 – when Travemünde was recognised as the second seaside resort on the German Baltic coast and grew into a spa town.
Yes. Travemünde was an independent town until its incorporation in 1913, and for centuries before that a fortified border and customs post at the mouth of the Trave.
Not through the town, but right by the Priwall: after 1945 the northernmost point of the inner-German border lay there. Only in 1990 did it fall – since 3 February 1990 the Priwall is freely accessible again.
Since 1889: that year Hamburg merchants first held a sailing race off Travemünde, which grew into Travemünde Week.
The future chancellor Willy Brandt fled via Travemünde by ship to Denmark in April 1933. A plaque in Jahrmarktstraße still recalls the escape.
Because the new, 119-metre Maritim high-rise blocked the 31-metre tower’s view of the sea. In 1974 a beacon on the high-rise took over, with a focal height of 114.7 metres.
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