image author: Josef Spang

Myths are entwined not only around medieval Lüneburg but also around modern times: The former Stintmarkt (market) at the harbour quarter with its countless pubs in narrow gabled houses, dark cellar vaults and ways into the Ilmenau was the town's Bermuda-triangle. Especially when fog is hovering over the former harbour quarter and the low-lit signs at the pub entrances shine onto the damp cobblestones the idea that a drunken new citizens might have vanished in a mysterious way is not far fetched. Maybe the comparison to the Bermuda-triangle is based on the fact that the Stint has as many pubs as the Bermuda-triangle islands.

image author: Josef Spang

Smelts, wine and cherries
In the Middle Ages there was economic hustle and bustle taking place on the Stintmarkt: The Stint (smelt), a small silver coloured typically 15 to 18cm long fish gave the street its name. Adjacent to the wine shop and distillery Lösecke cherries were sold straight from the wicker baskets on the steps of the quay wall while on the opposite side heavy goods were lifted ashore by the crane. The brisk bustle stayed: brewery vehicles block the narrow alleyway in the morning, in the afternoon tourists are looking for the crane and in the evening pub visitors take care that the brewery vehicle have to come back again in the morning.

A pub crawl at the Stint in the evening
The Stintmarkt collected lots of descriptions in the course of time: from Bermuda-triangle, the attribute of having Germany's largest pub density to Little-Holland. Fact is a walk-about through the different pubs is well worth it especially in the evening. A good basic is offered by a restaurant, which is not located at the Stint but across the road behind the crane: the Bodega. The Spanish eatery is one of the town's mot popular restaurant.

Wonderful dishes combined with a very friendly service blend here into the traditional atmosphere. But be careful don't let yourself be too spoilt as the evening is still young. Now we are off finely to the Stint, where just behind the bridge the Pons at the corner is recommended. From there it has to be the Schallander and nothing else!

The Schallander is the chameleon among the pubs at the Stint as it changes its interior ever so often and surprises with unusual actions again and again. And if you want to turn night into day then you can fall out of the door (nearly) directly into the cellar entrance to the Pesel, Lüneburg's smallest discotheque. Only a look to your watch will tell you whether it's daytime already.