The historical quarter between the Lüneburger salt works (today German salt museum) and the Kalkberg is something very special. The houses in this area standing above the salt deposit through which the salt was won and reaches just beneath the earth's surface. Due to increased salt winning with improved technical equipment, roughly from 1830 onwards, the surface started to subside for several metres. The so-called subsidence site came into existence. The local houses and a church (the Lamberti church) lost so the stability and had to be pulled down. The subsidence and unprofitability of salt winning were the reasons for the salt works closure in 1980. Today only small amounts of brine are being won for the health spa business in the Salztherme Lüneburg (SaLü). Today the salt works houses a supermarket and the German salt museum.
Since 1946 very two years the subsidence has been measured at circa 240 measuring points. The subsidence hasn't completely stopped, the area has been redeveloped and some historical buildings, which could be saved have been restored by now. The subsidence can still be clearly recognised today.
At the crossing Waagestraße/ Neue Sülze the terrain declines clearly in the direction of the street 'Auf dem Meere'. Here is the brim of the subsidence situated.
Picturesque residences and artisan houses from the 16th and 17th-century in the street 'Auf dem Meere' have been spared by the subsidence - when one used to entre the house going three steps up one has to go one step down now.
Visitors who walk from Sande to the end of the Grapengießerstraße can imagine the extend of the subsidence clearly. The dell that lies before them used to form one unit with the Grapengießerstraße. This dell stretches to the Lambertiplatz.
In the Frommestraße further evidence of the soil movements is visible: The gate to the underworld. Two cast-iron gate leafs which were pushed upon each other.
The Michaelis church also has been effected to be recognised at the lopsided pillars and the west wing in the nave. Current subsidence can be seen at the street Ochtmisser Kirchsteig also.