Understand
The official foundation of the city dates from 956, but might have been mentionned under an other name, Leuphana, in earlier records.
Lüneburg was built on a salt mine which made the city a great power in the middle ages through 1600 when it started to decline. Much of the wealth stemming from the salt trade can still be seen in the city which boasts many contructions from these richer times. Although salt is no longer extracted from the mine since 1980, its benefits can be enjoyed in the two large salt pools in the Salü see below.
Unlike many cities in in Germany, Lüneburg was spared during WWII and none of its historical buildings were damaged.
Lüneburg is also a favoured university location, offering a "young" life in an historical surrounding. The University has over 10,000 students, with programs in areas from economics to the sciences.
The University moved to a new campus in 1997 when a former army complex was turned into a university - a unique conversion project in Germany of which the city is very proud.
