I drove to Lübeck from Hamburg to recharge the battery in my Mustang after letting him hibernate…read moreover winter in the garage. Since Lübeck is known for it's marzipan, I decided to check this place out.
1) I found a parking spot without any problems, right across the street in the metered spaces lining the river. EUR1 per hour up to EUR5 for the day.
2) The souvenir shop is on the ground floor. Large selection of marzipan-related products including some funny things like sushi made out of marzipan or the more German Curry Wurst and Pomme Frites made from marzipan, and cigars made out of marzipan. I was impressed with their creativity. Prices were in the standard tourist range.
3) It hit me that almond trees grow in warm climates. Lübeck being so cold and windy and close to the North Sea, I wondered how it became famous for its marzipan. I asked and the store keepers didn't know, referring me to the internet! If I had a suggestion for improvement it would be the education of the girls on the front line.
4) On the first floor, there's the cafe. EUR3.50 gets you a slice of marzipan cake coupled with a cup of coffee. The server here was able to answer my curious questions: Lübeck lies on the river with a constant arrival of ships. In the medieval days, this place was a warehouse for almonds. Eventually someone developed a recipe for marzipan made from crushed almonds, sugar and rose oil! In those days, it was only available in pharmacies.
5) Two further things impressed me: the interior decoration is phenomenal! Original, wide-planked wooden floors stained dark and oiled. Medieval style tables with iron chandeliers. Old sepia-toned black-and-white photographs of the city from the turn of the century. German calligraphy on wooden signs and menus. Harmonious color combinations of espresso brown, white and deep warm red. Poetry in chalk on the black boards welcoming guests. And tasteful seasonal decorations. It's the beginning of spring and Easter is coming as I write this. The current table centerpiece features long grass, spring wildflowers and a brown chicken egg. The second thing was that there was no cleaning lady guarding the bathroom waiting for her 50 cent tip.
6) The museum has no entrance fee. There was a show going on for a group of French children. I didn't want to interrupt and have saved this discovery for a future trip.
Very cute place. I will come back again.
