Florenz ✦ Lübeck ✦ Pisa ✦ Rom ✦ Venedig

The five glories of the Empire

1375 – Emperor Carolus, now known as Charles IV had his kingdom toured extensively, as he moved to the end of the Empire tour to Lübeck, but not without his entourage of bishops, earls and dukes and not without the Empress, including his own entourage. Arrived at the gates, the Emperor and Empress switched on horses to explore the city. It was an event of the century! Monks received the emperor at the castle gate, singing accompanied the visiters on the way into town, distinguished ladies and maids, all decked out in the finest silk and rich decoration, lined the route, the roads were freshly swept, almost like to say, the weather was specially this day presented.

The then 59 year old emperor was preparing a pompous reception, but also the most beautiful party is over and there comes a time of peace, the Emperor and Empress spent separately. Not quite separately, because between the Travelmanns house, now Löwenapotheke, and opposite the house on the other side of today‘s King Street in the residence of the emperors the City Council had built a wooden bridge from the window of the Imperial bedchamber to the window Empress Elisabeth handed. The bridge was richly decorated and well attended. The curious people gathered every evening under the bridge to attend the visit Carolus‘ in his empress.

At night, it is reported, burned during the visit of the Emperor so many lights that it was as bright as day. For the days of the Imperial visit Lübeck had become a Midsummer Night‘s Dream. This must have been a very special time for the emperor. His words of thanks were richly adorned, when he came to thank the City Council for the reception. He claimed the Council „masters“, a very special honor at that time, too much honor for the mayor Pleskow who asked the Emperor to treat him as subjects. The Emperor then answered: „The old directories Our Tresekammer from our in God resting forefathers, have that this city is one of the five men towns of the kingdom, and that their counsel people are among the aldermen and councilors of the Emperor, to may enter into him when it please them; have maintained as well as your ancestors.“

A badge of honor called Lübeck in the same breath as Florence, Rome, Venice and Pisa – cities being famous for their beauty and tradition. Only 26 years before founding the Schiffergesellschaft our beautiful Lübeck had won by his qualities the reputation and goodwill of his emperor. Qualities that have preserved to the present day are Lübeck.

At the time of Emperor Charles IV, Lübeck was with 30 thousand inhabitants the second largest city in the German region. In size Lübeck has been overtaken, the beauty we have maintained. In the spirit as in architecture.