Stintmarkt im Hafen

In former times, fish – such as the famous smelt, which gave the square its name - was traded on Stintmarkt. This small salmon fish has recently returned to the river Elbe. During smelt season starting in March it is offered in many restaurants in numerous variations. Fishermen used to dry their nets on the Stint-Terrassen (smelt terraces) next to the Illmenau. Today, you can enjoy a fine meal and a wonderful view of the historic harbour complex with the famous old crane while sitting on the Stint-Terrassen.

Following downstream from Stintmarkt on the left side, Lüneburg’s formerly largest salt storage facility, Visculehof, is located in Salzstraße, close to the water. It once belonged to the closed court complex of the wealthy Patrician family Viscule. It was later used as a salt and grain storage building.

Stintmarket, simply called “Stint” by the locals, is Lüneburg’s pub district. See for yourself, it’s true: Lüneburg boasts the most pubs in Germany, in Europe it is second only to Madrid. In the mood for a good cup of coffee, a sophisticated cocktail or simply a glass of cold beer? You’ve come to the right place! At the weekends, night owls will surely find live music in one of the numerous bars.

Thanks to the Illmenau, which disembogues into the Elbe near Zollenspieker, salt could be transported on the safe waterway. A flat boat hauled from Lüneburg to the Elbe and the salt was then shipped from Lauenburg to Lübeck passing numerous sluices.